Digital health service delivering faster access to primary care

September 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 21,000 consultations have already been delivered through the Government’s new 24/7 digital health service launched in July, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This service is giving New Zealanders faster access to care when they can’t see their usual GP, helping them get the support they need, when they need it,” Mr Brown says.

In its first months, the service has:

Delivered 21,740 consultations to 19,331 people across New Zealand.
Been used most often when a timely GP appointment wasn’t available (71.6 per cent of bookings).
Provided treatment for 83.5 per cent of patients, without needing an in-person GP follow-up.

“Most people were able to get answers and treatment straight away, easing pressure on emergency departments by addressing non-urgent issues earlier and in the right setting.

“This service is reaching people in every corner of the country, from our busiest cities to our smallest rural towns. That shows it is making a real difference for those who might otherwise face long waits or long drives just to see a doctor.”

Working-age adults and parents are the biggest users, with strong uptake among 20–39-year-olds and children under 10. It’s also being used across all communities, with every ethnicity well represented.

“This digital service provides easily accessible healthcare when it’s needed, bridging the gap when people might otherwise be left waiting, worrying, or unsure where to turn. For many families, that makes a real difference in their daily lives.

“Our Government is committed to ensuring every New Zealander can access timely, quality healthcare. Digital health solutions are a key part of delivering that,” Mr Brown says.

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Tackling avalanche risk at Milford

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Important work is being carried out to reduce the avalanche risk to visitors at one of New Zealand’s top tourist attractions, Milford Sound.

The road from Te Anau to Milford Sound, State Highway 94, has been subject to several closures in recent days, from Hollyford Road Junction to the Donne River Bridge, due to snow blocking the highway and the avalanche risk.

Check out some helicopter video footage of avalanche mitigation work on Saturday, where the avalanche lands on the western side of the Homer Tunnel at a location called Avalanche Creek.

[embedded content]

The Milford Road/SH94 is open this morning but will close again between Hollyford Road Junction and the Donne River Bridge at 5pm today for forecast overnight snow. It is likely to reopen mid-morning tomorrow after snow clearing, but snowfall is expected to continue on and off for much of the day tomorrow and there may be minor delays while snowploughs are operating.

Closures and management of the avalanche risk on the Milford Road are among the roles of the Milford Road Alliance, which is an alliance between New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and Downer. It manages and maintains the critical roading connection to Milford Sound.

“The work the alliance does in this extreme environment around managing and maintaining the roading and Homer Tunnel assets, and including incident response, is critically important for this region and for New Zealand tourism in general,” says Milford Road Alliance Manager, Kevin Thompson.

“The avalanche programme that we undertake each year is internationally recognised. We take very seriously the responsibility to keep visitors to Milford safe.”

In 2023, the Milford Alliance avalanche programme won the International Road Federation’s Global Road Achievement Award for Programme Management. The selection was made by an independent, international panel of judges with expertise in the road development industry.

Until the late 1970s, the avalanche danger saw the Milford Road closed all winter. The avalanche control programme was established in 1983 to predict and manage risk from snow, ice and avalanches more effectively, while allowing year-round operation.

SH94 Milford Road

Avalanche clearing work carried out at the weekend (with the highway visible at the centre-left of the image).

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Youth charged with murder after the death of Kaea Karauria

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

A teenager has been charged with murder following an investigation into the death of 15-year-old Kaea Karauria.

Today, Police arrested and charged the youth for the fatal stabbing of Kaea in Napier on 11 May.

Detective Inspector Dave de Lange says the investigation into the matter will continue and Police cannot rule out further charges.

“What happened to Kaea was devastating, and Police will remain focused on establishing the exact circumstances on what has occurred.

“Kaea deserves justice, and while nothing will undo this terrible act, we hope this arrest can bring a small amount of closure to his family and loved ones.

“I would like to acknowledge the determination of the investigation team over the past four months, who have worked tirelessly to reach this result.”

Police would also like to thank members of the public who have provided information that has assisted in our investigation.

“This information has been crucial in allowing us to piece together the tragic events of that night,” says Detective Inspector de Lange.

The youth is due to appear in Napier Youth Court today, charged with murder.

The youth will also appear on a number of additional charges unrelated to the murder charge. These include two charges of male rapes female (12-16), one charge of possession of methamphetamine, and one charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.

A 21-year-old woman and another teen have previously been charged with wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to the matter.

Anyone with information who has not yet contacted Police is urged to get in touch online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.

Footage can also be uploaded anonymously here.

Please quote the reference number 250511/1317.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Employment Stats – Jobs fall again with no plan from the Government – NZCTU

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney is saying that new data released by Statistics New Zealand shows that the labour market is even more bleak than feared, with the loss of more than 10,000 jobs in just three months.

“What we are seeing is an unemployment crisis in New Zealand, and this Government is failing to do anything about it. Working people are paying the price of their inaction,” said Renney.

“There are more than 50,000 fewer jobs than in December 2023, with widespread falls across a wide range of sectors, including construction (16,230 fewer jobs), manufacturing (8,707), retail (6,091), professional services (7,228), IT and telecommunications (3,527), and public administration (6103).

“Every region has seen job losses. Since December 2023 there have been 23,000 jobs lost in Auckland – 35 jobs lost every day. Nowhere in the country has escaped the pain of rising unemployment, even in areas where the local economy is stronger.

“The economy is particularly difficult for younger workers, with 19,842 fewer filled jobs for 15–24-year-olds than this time last year, and 41,000 fewer filled jobs than this time 2 years ago.

“Total gross earnings rose 1.5.% last year – well below current inflation of 2.7%. This supports data we have seen elsewhere that many workers are falling further behind the current cost of living. This has likely been compounded by real-terms cuts in the minimum wage, and fewer jobs being available.

“For the past 9 months, the number of jobs being lost was declining, but is now rising quickly again. Outside of a COVID-affected quarter, there was not a single quarter where filled jobs declined going back to June 2019. Now we have had more than a year of continued job losses across the country.

“The Government has no plan to manage this crisis and has resorted to sanctions and removing people from jobseeker support rather than tackling the issue.

“More job losses and business closures are being announced every day, and the Government does not seem to have any ability to recognise the growing scale of the challenge,” said Renney.

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Lifestyle – New Zealand’s largest initiative to Get More People Physically Active

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: Exercise New Zealand

Exercise New Zealand’s Subsidised Gym Membership Programme is one of the country’s largest initiatives to help more Kiwis get physically active. Available year-round, the programme provides 40-70% off gym memberships at over 350 participating facilities nationwide, breaking down financial barriers and creating more equitable opportunities for people to begin, or return to, their exercise journey. With the September rollover upon us, all memberships are restocked, making now the perfect time to secure a subsidy.

“There is high demand for these memberships, and while the subsidy is available at over 350 facilities, each has only a limited number of subsidies available, so we encourage people to get in quick,” says ExerciseNZ CEO Richard Beddie.

Beddie adds:
“Starting an exercise journey is personal, but it benefits everyone, your own health, your whānau through a longer life span, and the taxpayer through reduced health costs. Above all, people simply feel better when they do it. The side effects are all positive, exercise really is the closest thing we have to a magic pill.”

Why Getting Active Matters

Research consistently shows that regular physical activity is one of the most effective tools for improving health, often outperforming pharmaceuticals in both prevention and treatment. The former United States Surgeon General Dr Regina Benjamin has described exercise as a “miracle pill”, highlighting its power to improve physical and mental wellbeing across all populations.

Exercise is now considered a front-line therapy for conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and mental health conditions, delivering benefits that are broader and safer than many medications.

Physical activity also plays a powerful role in reducing pressure on the healthcare system. The latest studies show that exercise lowers the incidence and severity of chronic diseases and age-related decline, potentially delaying or avoiding costly medical interventions (Saini et al., 2025). Making gym access more affordable could therefore result in significant long-term savings for the public health sector.

Beyond physical health, the mental health benefits of regular exercise are profound, from boosting mood to reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and enhancing resilience (Nascimento & dos Santos, 2025).

Exercise also plays an important role for populations such as people with disabilities, who report not only improved physical health but also greater daily motivation, psychological stability, and overall happiness when they have access to exercise facilities (Cho & Chang, 2025).

Alarmingly in New Zealand, physical inactivity costs taxpayers over $600 million annually in direct health costs and results in a loss of more than $2.3 billion to GDP (source: Deloitte’s Cost of Physical Inactivity, 2024).

How It Works

The subsidy is available to:

First-time gym-goers, or
Anyone who has not been a member of a gym in the last 12 months, and
Anyone who has not previously received this subsidy.

There’s no complex application process. Instead, you simply:

Visit www.exercise nz.org.nz to check eligibility and browse participating providers by region.
Secure their subsidy by completing a short membership form.
Receive a voucher via email to redeem directly at their chosen facility.

Key Details:

Over 350 locations nationwide
40%-70% off standard gym membership fees
Open to those not currently in a gym and not a member in the past 12 months
Simple online process, check eligibility, secure your voucher, and get started

With the September rollover around the corner, there’s never been a better time for eligible New Zealanders to access affordable, life-changing fitness opportunities. Exercise New Zealand urges individuals, whānau, health providers, and community leaders to help spread the word and support those who may benefit most. By making exercise more accessible, we’re not just helping people move, we’re investing in a healthier, more resilient Aotearoa.

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Assistance – Ingram Micro New Zealand celebrates $540,000 collectively raised for Cure Kids

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: Ingram Micro New Zealand

Supporting life-changing research to improve health outcomes for children
across Aotearoa

Auckland, New Zealand 9 September, 2025 – Ingram Micro New Zealand celebrates its continued commitment to Cure Kids to support child health research.

Since first partnering with Cure Kids in 2014, Ingram Micro New Zealand’s ongoing relationship has helped raise over NZ$540,000 for the non-profit organisation. This joint effort has enabled crucial advancements in paediatric health research, benefiting the lives of thousands of children across the country.

So far in 2025, Ingram Micro New Zealand has helped raise more than NZ$40,000 to work towards its commitment to improving health outcomes for children across Aotearoa, including life-saving paediatric research, such as stillbirth prevention, improved care for babies born prematurely, and treatment for childhood diseases.

“Ingram Micro is honoured to continue our support of Cure Kids and the critical research it funds,” said Ingram Micro New Zealand Managing Director Leon De Suza. “Our ongoing support for Cure Kids is part of our dedication to the charity’s mission of undertaking critical research that is tangibly improving the lives of children and families across the country.”

Ingram Micro New Zealand’s 2025 support has included last month’s Riccarton Park Red Nose Day Races in Christchurch and the inaugural Wellington Rugby for Research event held on July 10, which alone raised NZ$16,000.

Rugby for Research featured Cure Kids ambassador Finn, who bravely shared his journey of living with type 1 diabetes, offering a personal insight into the daily challenges faced by many tamariki. His story puts a human face to the vital work Cure Kids is doing to change health outcomes and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of funding research that can improve – and even save – young lives.

The event also attracted a strong turnout from current and former elite athletes, including Black Ferns alumnae Melodie Robinson, Monalisa Codling and Shannon Willoughby, as well as former All Blacks coach and Cure Kids patron Sir Graham Henry.

“The breadth of activity we support, from race days and ladies’ lunches to our own Red Nose Day morning tea events, golf days and the Rebel 24-hour challenge, reflects how close this cause is to our hearts.” said De Suza. “This means so much to our team because everyone knows someone who has been affected. Cure Kids puts family first through its research and events, and that resonates deeply.”

Founded in 1971, Cure Kids is New Zealand’s leading charity focused on raising funds for research into serious childhood health conditions. Over the past five decades, Cure Kids has invested more than NZ$65 million into New Zealand-based research, which has helped transform diagnosis, treatment and care for thousands of seriously ill children.

For 11 years, Ingram Micro New Zealand has been a constant champion of Cure Kids, during which time the leading child health research charity has achieved numerous breakthroughs. Some of these notable advancements include proof that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and infancy prevents doctor visits for acute respiratory infections in early childhood, the development of a robotic gait trainer to help children with cerebral palsy walk, evidence that sleeping on one’s side during pregnancy can reduce the risk of stillbirths by 50 per cent, and evidence that babies born prematurely at 23 to 24 weeks can survive and thrive.

“Cure Kids extends heartfelt thanks to Ingram Micro for its steadfast commitment to our mission, raising more than NZ$540,000 during the past 11 years,” said Frances Soutter, CEO at Cure Kids. “As a long-term supporter of Cure Kids, the Ingram Micro New Zealand team has a genuine passion for what we do and their unwavering commitment to fundraising events. We genuinely feel that we are part of the Ingram Micro whanau.”

For more information on how to support other Cure Kids initiatives or get involved, please visit https://www.curekids.org.nz/.

About Ingram Micro

Ingram Micro is a leading technology company in the global information technology ecosystem. With the ability to reach nearly 90% of the global population, we play a vital role in the worldwide IT sales channel, bringing products and services from technology manufacturers and cloud providers to a highly diversified base of business-to-business technology experts. Through Ingram Micro Xvantage™, our AI-powered digital platform, we offer what we believe to be the industry’s first comprehensive business-to-consumer-like experience, integrating hardware and cloud subscriptions, personalised recommendations, instant pricing, order tracking, and billing automation. We also provide a broad range of technology services, including financing, specialised marketing, lifecycle management, and technical pre and post-sales professional support. Learn more at www.ingrammicro.com.

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Greenpeace – “Bottom trawling kills” message projected onto downtown Wellington building as fisheries meeting starts

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace has projected images of destroyed coral onto a downtown Wellington building, highlighting the destruction caused by New Zealand bottom trawlers, as an international fisheries meeting starts in the capital city.Delegates from the EU, America, Australia and the Pacific are meeting in Wellington this week to discuss the management of fisheries in the international waters of the South Pacific as part of the SPRFMO Scientific Committee (South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation).New Zealand is the only country still bottom trawling the high seas of this region, including in the Tasman Sea between Aotearoa and Australia – despite environmental organisations calling for this practice to stop.

“Bottom trawling is a highly destructive fishing method that bulldozes everything in its path, including precious corals that can take hundreds of years to grow”, says Greenpeace ocean campaigner Juan Parada.”It’s shocking that New Zealand is the only country dragging heavy weighted nets over an area that is so vibrant, and full of diverse ocean life that it’s been earmarked for protection in one of the world’s first global ocean sanctuaries.”We’ve projected images of destroyed coral, filmed along known trawl tracks in the deep, to reveal what’s at stake if trawling is allowed to continue. We’ve also shown images of the vibrant life that thrives here and is worth protecting. “Our message is clear – bottom trawling kills. To protect the ocean for the future bottom trawling must stop in these highly diverse areas.”

Last year a New Zealand trawler, the Tasman Viking, pulled up 37kg of coral on the Lord Howe Rise which is in the area that SPRFMO governs, leading to the area being closed to trawling temporarily.Greenpeace has since carried out a scientific survey of this closed area and has submitted an observer paper to the SPRFMO Scientific Committee, outlining the data available from four deep sea video surveys on the Lord Howe Rise.

The survey was carried out despite the New Zealand government refusing to share the co-ordinates with the scientists working with Greenpeace.

Analysis of the footage taken from this area shows there are diverse species of coral living here, making the case for permanent closure of this site to New Zealand bottom trawlers.

Some of the coral observed in this region are estimated to be over a metre in height – indicating they are likely to be old individuals. Deep sea corals are known to be incredibly slow growing, with some growing just centimetres per year. Analysis of the footage by scientists has confirmed the presence of cup, black, bamboo, gorgonian and precious corals, as well as feather stars and sponges.”The impacts of bottom trawling are no longer in dispute, especially on ancient ecosystems like deep sea coral forests,” says Parada.

“We’ve all seen the Attenborough documentary which highlighted how destructive bottom trawling is. This type of fishing is happening in the high seas between Aotearoa and Australia, and now is the moment to protect the precious life that is irrefutably there – and is essential to ocean health.”

“The New Zealand government cannot ignore the findings from this Lord Howe Rise site, as uncomfortable as they may be for the bottom trawlers. There is rare and diverse life here, and in a biodiversity crisis – these areas must be protected from their major threat – bottom trawling.”

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Northland News – Voting papers on way

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: Northland Regional Council

Voting papers for next month’s local body election will begin arriving in people’s mailboxes from today, Tuesday 09 September.

Dale Ofsoske, the Northland Regional Council’s Electoral Officer, says voting papers will be delivered to registered voters from 09-22 September 2025.

Local body elections are conducted by postal voting, and papers must be put in the mail no later than Tuesday 07 October to ensure they arrive in time to be counted.

“After that date however, you can hand deliver your voting paper to a ballot box up until midday on Election Day, Saturday 11 October.”

A list of ballot box locations can be found via your local district council website.

Mr Ofsoske says anyone who does not receive voting papers by 22 September should contact the Northland Regional Council electoral office by phoning (0800) 922 822 or emailing specialvotes@electionservices.org.nzand requesting a Special Vote.

Special Votes can also be obtained from dedicated district council offices in Whangārei, Kaipara and the Far North. (Visit their websites for locations nearest to you.)

Twenty-three people have been nominated for the regional council, however, due to only one nomination in the Mid North General Constituency the sole candidate, Geoff Crawford, has been declared elected unopposed.

This leaves 22 people contesting the remaining eight seats on council; six general seats and two Māori seats.

To help voters make an informed choice, the Northland Regional Council also recently invited candidates to film a 90-second video addressing three questions:

Why do you think you’re right for the role?

In your view, what’s the biggest challenge facing our region?

What are your top priorities for council/Northland for the next three years?

Meanwhile, as well as voting for those who will represent them around the council table for the next three years, all voters will also be able to vote on whether to keep or remove the Northland Regional Council Māori constituency, Te Raki Māori.

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Animal welfare – One year on: Animals still dying on notorious Southland mud farm – SAFE

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: SAFE For Animals

Exactly one year ago, SAFE helped expose shocking footage of dead and dying sheep on a Southland mud farm. Today, new footage from the very same farm shows that nothing has changed.

Filmed between 5-6 September, the footage shows a sheep likely struggling to give birth, her lamb’s head visibly stuck. The farmer pushes her to the ground, drags her through a fence, and takes her out of sight to a nearby bush. She is seen upright and alert, but moments later appears lifeless. What happened to her afterwards remains unknown.

The next day, at least two dead newborn lambs were found lying in mud.

SAFE Campaign Manager Emma Brodie says the actions of the farmer are unconscionable and may well be criminal.

“This sheep was dragged out of sight at the very moment she most needed help. Not knowing what happened next is every bit as disturbing as what we did see.”

SAFE says the incident shatters the myth that animal deaths on mud farms are simply the result of bad weather.

“This is the exact same farm where sheep were filmed dead in mud one year ago. At the time, Federated Farmers tried to excuse it as poor weather. But this year has been significantly drier – and still, animals are dying.”

“These conditions are not the product of an extreme weather event, they’re the result of a farming practice that is dangerous by design,” says Brodie.

Mud farming forces animals to live, sleep, and give birth in paddocks saturated with mud, faeces, and urine. SAFE says this is an inherent violation of New Zealand’s animal welfare laws, which require that animals’ basic needs be met, and that they be handled in ways that prevent unnecessary pain and distress.

“No animal should ever be condemned to give birth or die in mud. These conditions are completely inconsistent with the obligations set out in the Animal Welfare Act. MPI knows the risks, yet its failure to enforce the law has enabled systemic neglect on these farms,” says Brodie.

SAFE is urging the Government to take decisive action and end mud farming in Aotearoa. More than 17,000 people have already signed SAFE’s petition calling for an end to the practice.

“This is not about one bad farm, or one bad season. It is the inevitable outcome of mud farming everywhere, and it will keep happening until the Government ends it.”

SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.

We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.

All images and footage are credited to Matt Coffey.

Footage from 5-6 September 2025 showing a farmer dragging a sheep through a fence while in labour and dead lambs in mud.

Footage and images from September 2024 showing dead and dying sheep and lambs on the same Southland mud farm.

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Environment Events – KASM, Greenpeace invited to submit on Fast-Track seabed mining application

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM)

Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM) and Greenpeace today welcomed the invitation from the Fast-Track expert panel considering the seabed mining application to make a submission on the project.

KASM comment:

“We will bring critical evidence to the process that nobody else can, such as our expert on the pygmy blue whale population residing in the South Taranaki Bight, so it makes sense for the panel to invite us to take part. It’s good to see the panel recognise the value and legitimacy of our contribution which draws on over a decade of involvement on this issue,” said KASM Chairperson Cindy Baxter.

“It’s critical that this panel has all the relevant evidence before it to make this decision – we all need to do our collective best within an awful process that shouldn’t be happening in the first place. Trans Tasman Resources has already had this bid to destroy our moana rejected by the highest court in the land, but ducked out of the process, clearly thinking the Fast-Track would be an easier bar to clear.”

Greenpeace comment
“This would be a brand new destructive activity and this project would be the first in the world of its kind. Given Trans Tasman Resources’ parent company has been promoting a much bigger site of 877 square kilometres to its shareholders, it’s clear this first application sets a critical precedent,” says Greenpeace seabed mining campaigner Juressa Lee.

“We’ve been involved in this process for the past 12 years, and we represent literally tens of thousands of people who’ve signed our various petitions calling for a ban on seabed mining. “

The two organisations welcomed the panel’s extensive list of interested parties: it has called on a wide range of voices to make submissions on the application. They have 20 days to make their submission.

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