Greenpeace calls for Cantabrians to bring polluted drinking water to ECan

September 8, 2025

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace is holding a rally outside Environment Canterbury on the council’s final sitting day before elections, to bring nitrate-contaminated drinking water directly to the regional council.

The rally will take place on September 17th at 9:30am outside Environment Canterbury’s Christchurch headquarters. Greenpeace is asking participants to bring a jar of their drinking water with them.

Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says “Environment Canterbury are burying their heads in the sand and expecting that Canterbury’s drinking water crisis will magically resolve itself – but the reality is, fixing water pollution is Environment Canterbury’s responsibility.

“That’s why on September 17th, we’ll be delivering nitrate contaminated drinking water from homes across the region to the people responsible for enabling that contamination.

“At a time when lakes and rivers are unswimmable, and rural people can’t even drink the water coming out of their kitchen tap without worrying about getting sick, Environment Canterbury has greenlit more than 16,000 extra dairy cattle onto the Canterbury plains in just the last eight months.”

Appelbe says, “Intensive dairying is the main source of nitrate pollution in Canterbury, and Environment Canterbury knows this. Ignoring the problem is not going to make it go away – so we’re bringing the issue to the council’s doorstep.”

“The people of Canterbury want clean drinking water now, and they’re willing to vote for it. Our challenge to ECan candidates is: who’s willing to stand up to defend Canterbury’s fresh water by ending dairy expansion and phasing out the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser?”

MIL OSI

Health – Urgent relief for Christchurch kura battling unhealthy buildings

LiveNews Publisher

September 8, 2025

Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation

Ten heavy-duty air purifiers are being gifted to a Christchurch kura ā iwi to help protect tamariki from the increased risk of respiratory issues caused by potential exposure to cold, damp, and mouldy classrooms.

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ, with support from Friends of the Foundation partner AHI Carrier Toshiba, is donating the air scrubbers to Te Pā o Rākaihautū, where staff and students are ensuring equitable property provision to ensure safe, warm and dry learning spaces.

A recent workplace health and safety report, commissioned by the school’s board in May, identified “critical issues” in the 70-year-old repurposed buildings, including rotting walls, mould growth, and ongoing leaks over areas where food is prepared.

The report noted that evidence had emerged of health deterioration among staff and students, including “increased asthma symptoms reported among staff. Breathing difficulties and respiratory illness reported in students not previously affected”.

Foundation Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says the air scrubbers are an urgent measure to reduce harm, but fall far short of what the kura really needs.

“Every breath matters, especially for our tamariki.

“When we heard that these children were learning in freezing, damp classrooms where mould and illness are potentially spreading, we knew we had to step in,” she says.

“These scrubbers will help filter the air and provide some relief, but what this kura really needs are safe, healthy, permanent buildings – no child should have to learn in conditions that harm their health.”

Te Pā o Rākaihautū Kaiurungi (Principal) Terina Tahau says staff and students are incredibly grateful for the support.

“We are thankful to the Foundation and AHI Carrier Toshiba for recognising the urgency of our situation, but it should never fall on charities to step in where the system has failed.”

The pā wananga has been operating out of temporary, inadequate buildings (that were closed following the Christchurch earthquakes) for over a decade, she says.

“The reality is our pononga are expected to continue to learn in temporary, aged facilities that are not fit for purpose.

“While we always ensure our pononga are safe and we have the heat pumps operating 24/7 when it is cold, the number of ongoing property emergencies is unacceptable,” she says.

“Far too much time, and money, is spent on putting plasters (temporary fixes) on these property concerns.

“However, despite all of this our pononga thrive and achieve well above the National norms.”

AHI Carrier Toshiba Marketing Manager Shirli Talbot says the company was keen to act quickly once it learned of the kura’s situation.

“Supplying air scrubbers is something practical we could do straight away to help improve the air they’re breathing every day, while longer-term solutions are still being worked through.”

MIL OSI

Well overdue for Minister Van Velden to apologise for outrageous attack on judicial independence – PSA

LiveNews Publisher

September 8, 2025

Source: PSA

It has now been 17 days since Minister of Workplace Relations Brooke Van Velden made extraordinary and unprecedented comments about new and existing members of the Employment Relations Authority, yet these damaging remarks remain uncorrected on the public record.

“This defiance shows a concerning pattern where ideology and politics override cabinet rules and longstanding constitutional principles,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

“For Minister Van Velden, political point-scoring appears more important than respecting the separation of powers that underpins our democracy.”

Minister Van Velden’s statements that she hopes new Authority members will ‘lend a more sympathetic ear to business,’ that she expects ‘smaller awards against business,’ and her dismissive claim that current members ‘believe money grows on trees’ represent a fundamental breach of constitutional norms.

The seriousness of these comments was acknowledged by the Prime Minister, who asked the Attorney General to warn Cabinet of the ‘need for careful use of language’ and remind Cabinet members that the Employment Relations Authority is independent.

“Despite this clear rebuke, Minister Van Velden has offered neither clarification nor apology, allowing her inappropriate interference to stand.

“It’s also alarming that the Minister’s stance was echoed by ACT Party leader David Seymour, who celebrated these comments in a LinkedIn post that he has also failed to withdraw despite the Prime Minister’s intervention.

“This is not an isolated incident. Minister Van Velden previously dismantled pay equity laws and cancelled claims under urgency, denying natural justice to thousands of workers whose cases were shredded without warning or recourse. These actions demonstrate a pattern of disregard for both workers’ rights and proper democratic processes.

“When judicial independence is undermined, it affects every worker’s ability to seek fair treatment and protection.

“This goes to the heart of separation of powers – an independent judiciary and basic standards of democratic accountability for cabinet ministers. How can these comments remain on the public record while she remains a Cabinet Minister?”

With Parliament sitting this week, the PSA is calling for answers to critical questions:

Did the Attorney General speak to Minister Van Velden before she told media she stood by her comments?
Why has David Seymour left his endorsement of these comments on LinkedIn after the Attorney General’s warning?
Will the National Party reconsider giving ACT the Workplace Relations portfolio and take leadership to halt current plans to gut personal grievance protections?

“New Zealand workers deserve a government that respects both their rights and the constitutional principles that protect those rights,” said Fitzsimons. “17 days of silence is 17 days too long. It’s time for accountability.”

Previous statement

MIL OSI

Advocacy – International Literacy Day – 8 September: A Call for Justice in Palestine

LiveNews Publisher

September 8, 2025

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

Every year on 8 September, the world observes International Literacy Day, a reminder of the power of education to break cycles of poverty, open opportunities, and build just, peaceful societies. Literacy is not only about the ability to read and write, but also about dignity, empowerment, and the right to a future.

For Palestinians, however, this right is under constant threat. Decades of occupation, siege, and violence have devastated schools, universities, and libraries. In Gaza, entire educational institutions have been reduced to rubble. Teachers and students have been displaced, arrested, and even killed. What should be safe spaces for learning have been transformed into places of mourning.

Despite these hardships, the Palestinian people have always valued education as a form of resistance and resilience. Palestinian literacy rates remain among the highest in the Arab world, a testament to their deep commitment to knowledge and the belief that education is a pathway to freedom. Parents still encourage their children to read, to study, and to dream, even under bombardment. Books are shared, lessons continue in tents and ruins, and stories are passed down as acts of survival.

On this International Literacy Day, we must not only celebrate the global progress in education but also recognize the injustice faced by millions of Palestinian children who are denied their basic right to learn. Literacy should never be a privilege; it is a human right.

To stand in solidarity with Palestine on this day is to affirm that every child deserves a classroom, every teacher deserves safety, and every community deserves the chance to learn and thrive without fear.

Education is resistance. Literacy is freedom. Palestine deserves both.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand

MIL OSI

Investments Sector – NZ SUPER FUND BEATS PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS TO CONTINUE RUN OF STRONG RESULTS

LiveNews Publisher

September 8, 2025

Source: New Zealand Superannuation Fund

The New Zealand Superannuation Fund has beaten its key performance benchmarks, generating a pre-tax return of 11.84 percent after costs for the year ended 30 June 2025.

Total fund size was up $8.4 billion from a year earlier, ending the 2025 financial year at $85.1 billion.

Jo Townsend, CEO of fund manager the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, said that while much of the result was down to the continuing strength of global equity markets, the Guardians’ active investment strategies had also had a positive impact on the Fund’s performance.

“Two numbers are of particular importance to us,” Ms Townsend said.

“The first is net return, or the return over and above the government’s cost of capital.

“For the past year, the 90-Day Treasury bill rate was 4.61 percent, making our net return 7.24 percent – to put it another way, maintaining the Fund this year has made the Crown $5.5 billion better off,” said Ms Townsend.

Ms Townsend said the Fund’s other key benchmark was value add, which expresses how successful the Guardians’ active investment strategies have been.

“We derive that by comparing our Actual Returns with the benchmark returns generated by our Reference Portfolio, which is a notional, passively-managed portfolio of bonds and shares that we believe would meet our mandate,” Ms Townsend said.

“For FY25, our value-added was 0.98 percent. In other words, we added $745 million to the earnings we would have achieved by following a passive, index-tracking strategy.”

Ms Townsend said that while short-term results were a useful check on the portfolio, the Guardians’ mandate and purpose – Sustainable Investment Delivering Strong Returns for All New Zealanders – meant the Fund’s long-term results told a more important story.

“Over the past 20 years, we have consistently outperformed our long-run expectations, generating an average annual return of 9.92%,” Ms Townsend said.

“Certainly, part of that is down to some well-thought-out and well-implemented active investment strategies: during that time, those strategies have generated close on $20 billion more than a passive strategy with the same level of market risk would have returned.

“However, we must also recognise that much of the Fund’s success is due to the exceptionally strong performance of global markets over the past 20 years – despite two once-in-a-generation crises in the Global Financial Crisis and COVID-19.”

Earlier this year, international sovereign wealth fund experts GlobalSWF named the Super Fund the world’s best-performing sovereign wealth fund over the past 10 and 20 years.

Ms Townsend said while it was satisfying to have the Fund’s results recognised internationally, it was important to remember that different funds operated in different contexts.

“Over the last 20 years our long term investment horizon has allowed us to pursue growth-oriented investment strategies through market ups and downs and to take advantage of short-term volatility and uncertainty,” Ms Townsend said.

Ms Townsend said the clarity of the Guardians’ mandate was also a significant advantage for the NZ Super Fund.

“We operate with a clear legislative mandate and independence from the government of the day, which allows us to remain focused on the long term and make investment decisions on a purely commercial basis. That has been central to the success we have had.”

Fund Performance as at 30 June 2025 (unaudited)
Totals may not equal the sum of underlying components due to rounding. Returns for periods longer than one year are annualised. Table excludes provisions for New Zealand tax.

MIL OSI

Northland News – Northland Tsunami Siren Testing Set for Start of Daylight Saving

LiveNews Publisher

September 8, 2025

Source: Northland Regional Council

Northland’s six-monthly outdoor tsunami siren test will take place at 10 am on Sunday, 28 September, coinciding with the start of daylight saving.

The recently upgraded network of more than 90 outdoor sirens is tested twice a year to ensure it remains ready to alert communities in the event of a tsunami.

While it’s hoped such an emergency never occurs, regular testing helps ensure the system can respond effectively if needed and raises awareness of Northland’s tsunami risk.

During the test, sirens will sound for around two minutes, emitting the familiar siren tone followed by a voice message: “Test only, test only. This is a test of the Northland tsunami siren network; no action is required.”

While the indoor siren network will not be activated during this test, residents with indoor sirens are encouraged to manually check their devices by pressing the test button, similar to testing a smoke alarm.

The old model sirens will not be tested and are scheduled for progressive removal following this test, provided no significant issues are identified.

Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group spokesperson Zach Woods says community feedback remains a vital part of the testing process.

“We received valuable feedback during the April test which helped us fine-tune this upcoming one. We’ve made adjustments to ensure the sirens have time to complete their full test cycle and properly receive the activation signal.”

Technicians have inspected and resolved issues with sirens identified during the previous test, and the extended test duration will help confirm that all systems are functioning as expected.

Residents can provide feedback on the day via forms available on the Northland Regional Council website and the Civil Defence Northland Facebook page.

“Could you hear it? Was the message clear? Let us know.”

Woods also reminds Northlanders of the importance of recognising natural tsunami warning signs, especially in coastal areas where local-source tsunamis may arrive before any official alert.

“If you feel a strong earthquake that’s hard to stand in, one that lasts longer than a minute, or notice unusual sea behaviour, such as a sudden rise or fall or strange noises, don’t wait for an official warning, move inland or to higher ground immediately.”

Northland’s outdoor tsunami sirens are funded and owned by the region’s four councils (Far North District, Whangarei District, Kaipara District, and Northland Regional Council).

MIL OSI

Rental Market – National rental price hits lowest since 2023; regional markets buck the trend – RealEstate.co.nz

LiveNews Publisher

September 8, 2025

Source: RealEstate.co.nz

National average rental price drops to $628, the lowest since September 2023
Southland records all-time high average rental price of $509 per week
West Coast bucks national trend with 11.2% average rental price increase

Latest data from realestate.co.nz reveals some subtle and not so subtle rental price increases in the regions, despite New Zealand’s average weekly rental price falling 3.0% from $648/week in August 2024 to $628/week in August 2025.

Meanwhile, Southland’s average weekly rent hit an all-time high of $509/week (August 2025), up 9.2% from $466/week this time last year.

The West Coast also bucked the national trend, with average rental prices up 11.2% on August last year.

Sarah Wood, CEO of realestate.co.nz, says the data shows how localised the rental market can be.

“While the national trend suggests a softening in rental prices, Southland and the West Coast are clear reminders that the market doesn’t move in unison. Local supply and demand pressures are driving different outcomes across the regions.”

Rent in the city: major centres record declining rental prices

All of New Zealand’s major urban centres recorded a decline in average rental prices when compared to 12 months ago. Wellington experienced the largest year-on-year decline, down 11.8%, followed by Otago (down 3.9%), Auckland (down 2.3%), Canterbury (down 2.1%), and Waikato (down 0.6%).

“These drops may reflect increased rental supply in the cities or tenants negotiating more favourable lease terms, but it’s also likely linked to affordability pressures amid broader economic challenges,” says Wood.

New listings surge in key regions

Nationally, new rental listings rose 16.0% year-on-year, reaching 6,700 in August 2025 compared to 5,775 a year earlier.

Wellington led the charge with a 105.8% increase, more than doubling the number of rental properties newly listed in the capital – from 274 listings in August 2024 to 564 in August 2025. In addition to Wellington, three other regions, Wairarapa (97.1%), Gisborne (82.4%), and Hawke’s Bay (69.2%) all recorded increases exceeding 60%.

Down south, Canterbury also reported a strong surge in listings, with 917 properties listed in August 2025, a 29.0% increase on August last year.

Wood says the increase may signal rising confidence among landlords or a shift in property use. “We may be seeing the impact of properties returning from short-term rentals, or landlords choosing to re-enter the long-term rental market as economic conditions evolve.”

Understanding your region is more important than ever

As the rental market becomes more varied across regions, Wood encourages renters and landlords to lean on local knowledge.

“Whether you’re renewing a lease, looking for a new tenant, or trying to understand market value, these regional insights are more important than ever. Generalised national trends don’t always reflect the reality on the ground.”

About realestate.co.nz

We’ve been helping people buy, sell, or rent property since 1996. Established before Google, realestate.co.nz is New Zealand’s longest-standing property website and the official website of the real estate industry.

Dedicated only to property, our mission is to empower people with a property search tool they can use to find the life they want to live. With residential, lifestyle, rural and commercial property listings, realestate.co.nz is the place to start for those looking to buy or sell property.

Whatever life you’re searching for, it all starts here.

Want more property insights?

Market insights: Search by suburb to see median sale prices, popular property types and trends over time.
Sold properties: Switch your search to sold to see the latest sale prices and an estimated value in the current market.

Glossary of terms:

The average weekly rental rate is an indication of current market sentiment. It is calculated by taking the asking rental rate of every residential property listed during that month and dividing it by the total number of rental properties. The average is a truncated mean.

New listings are a record of all the new residential dwellings listed for rent on realestate.co.nz for the relevant calendar month. Listings on the site include rental properties listed by Property Managers and private landlords and provide a representative view of the New Zealand rental property market.

Stock is the total number of residential dwellings that are for rent on realestate.co.nz on the penultimate day of the month.

MIL OSI

Northland driver charged with dangerous driving

LiveNews Publisher

September 8, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

A Northland man has been remanded in custody after a dangerous dash across the Far North at excessive speeds.

Police received several calls from road users who reported a white BMW driving dangerously on SH10 towards Taipa, on Friday afternoon.

“Callers estimated the BMW was travelling at excessive speeds and driving dangeorously, allegedly overtaking on double yellow lines heading south,” Sergeant Treston Laybourn says.

The vehicle and driver were later located by Mangōnui Police near Cable Bay.

“Officers approached the driver and as they did he got back into the vehicle and drove off at speed towards Mangōnui.”

“A pursuit was initiated due to the driver’s dangerous behaviour,” Sergeant Laybourn says.

“The vehicle and driver were located shortly afterwards with the help of members the community.”

Sergeant Laybourn says Police are appreciative of the ‘teamwork’ that led to the arrest.

“We would like to acknowledge the Mangōnui community, the Mangōnui Community Patrol, and the road users that initially reported this man’s reckless actions.

“Everyone played their part which helped led us to locating and arresting the man before anyone was seriously hurt or killed on our roads.”

A 54-year-old man has been charged with several driving offences, including dangerous driving and failing to stop.

He has since appeared in the Kaitaia District Court and has been remanded in custody until his next appearance tomorrow.

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police

MIL OSI

Medical Specialists – Government just guessing when it comes to health – report says

LiveNews Publisher

September 8, 2025

Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists

The Government is guessing when it comes to comparing New Zealand’s health spending to other countries a new report commissioned by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says.

The New Zealand’s health financing and expenditure report reveals that for the past seven years the Ministry of Health has not submitted data to the OECD leaving the organisation to estimate our spending and the estimates are incorrect.

“The OECD estimated the New Zealand government spent 9.15 per cent of GDP on health in 2022 and 8.83 per cent in 2023. However, our research shows when OECD over estimates and the temporary impact of COVID-19 are adjusted for, spending was more likely around 7.5 per cent of GDP in 2022 and 8.15% in 2023,” Professor Tim Tenbensel says.

“New Zealand is the only country not to have submitted its results to the OECD.

“The problem is the Ministry of Health uses the OECD data when it briefs incoming Ministers, and in public communication. This is highly misleading.”

Other findings in the report include:

There was a sustained period from 2013 and leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic where New Zealand’s health expenditure as a % of GDP declined considerably, falling behind that of comparable countries.

To keep pace with the 16 comparator countries between 2013 and 2019, New Zealand would have needed to spend approximately $9 billion more on running the health system (or more than $1 billion a year more).

This underfunding explains the immense pressure New Zealand’s health workforce is under, with severe budget constraints leading to staffing shortages, hiring freezes, and stagnant wage growth.

Political short termism and a focus on managing the books in an election cycle, has real consequences for the health services New Zealanders rely on.

New Zealand’s tax-financed system is the best mechanism to fund health, the problem is more investment is needed.

As a result of the report, the ASMS is calling for:

The Ministry of Health to resume filing returns on New Zealand health spending to the OECD and retrospectively provide returns for 2019 onwards.

For current OECD figures not to be used to compare New Zealand’s health spending to other countries as this is misleading.

An extra $1 billion a year on top of cost pressures to be invested in the health system, over the next 4 years.

The Ministry of Health to urgently commence policy work to identify how much funding is needed to most effectively to meet the health needs of New Zealanders.

For renewed commitment to strategies to tackle the drivers of ill-health – tobacco, alcohol, health and safety, access to healthy food.

MIL OSI

2025 NZ Primary Healthcare Awards | He Tohu Mauri Ora winners

LiveNews Publisher

September 8, 2025

Source: The Health Media

The winners of the 2025 New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards | He Tohu Mauri Ora were announced last night at glitzy, black-tie Gala dinner at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland (Saturday, 6 September).

The prestigious awards were hosted by The Health Media Ltd, proud publisher of New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa and Pharmacy Today | Kaitiaki Rongoā O Te Wā.

After a four-year hiatus, the awards returned to once again recognise excellence in primary healthcare and celebrate the ground-breaking work being carried out in the sector across Aotearoa.

Launched in 2020 and last held in 2021, the awards were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the massive burden placed on the under-resourced primary healthcare sector. But, despite the odds, the awards made a comeback this year attracting over 150 entries, with 45 finalists chosen for 22 award categories and one overall supreme winner.

A common theme of the winners’ work was innovation in the face of failing traditional models of care. Entrants demonstrated that the drive and determination to work collaboratively across disciplines can smash barriers to access and improve lives, especially for disadvantaged groups.

Winning entries included mobile health services, a workplace injury response scheme, kaupapa Māori services, comprehensive primary care teams, mental health and addiction services, school-based health teams and medicines safety.

ProPharma Supreme Award

The ProPharma Supreme Award winner, chosen from the category winners, went to South Auckland’s tenacious general manager Total Healthcare PHO, Kate Moodabe.

Ms Moodabe’s ground-breaking, equity-driven mahi lead to the national introduction of HPV self-testing to reduce cervical cancer deaths. Equally transformative is her partnership with Dave Letele’s BBM Motivation to introduce point-of-care testing in gyms to boost health screening and support for people who would never ordinarily have or visit a GP.

Ms Moodabe was overwhelmed and humbled when the award was announced, saying later she was already reeling from having received the CareHQ Outstanding Contribution to Health Award and was “a little lost for words”. She gave thanks to all her colleagues saying, “It’s not just me, I am only one person.”

Her youngest son, Zac, had made a last-minute decision to drive up from Palmerston North with his fiancée for the Gala night, thinking that “I might be disappointed” she said.

In addition to her work on HPV and with BBM Motivation, Ms Moodabe says she was extremely proud of work done while she was at ProCare in getting primary care services into three rural marae. Asked what she would like to do next in primary care, she says focussing on closer working relationships with social services.

The Health Media managing editor Barbara Fountain, who co-founded the awards in 2020, says the finalists show what primary care can achieve even as the funding odds are often stacked against it.

Politics sees all eyes on public hospitals while most healthcare activity takes place in the primary care sector, Ms Fountain says.

And, despite the huge stresses created by the health reforms, primary care continues to aim high, she says. “To understand the passion in this sector, shift through the judges’ comments on the winning entries where you will find the following words and phrases “deeply collaborative, practical, creative, equity driven, co-designed, customer loyalty, scalable, breaking down barriers, improving access, great leadership, magic factor, abundance of energy and ‘you have made a difference’.”

In her welcome speech, Ms Fountain spoke to the challenges created by the Government’s policy shift away from including ethnicity as a determinant of healthcare need.

“There can be no elephant in this room – these awards are about acknowledging people in primary care working to find new ways to achieve equity in health outcomes for the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. An all-of-government policy which dismisses the part ethnicity plays in all avenues of life, and diminishes the importance of partnership under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, is anathema to those health outcome goals.”

Commenting on the value of the awards, The Health Media director Grant Bai says:

“Technology will help augment the health system, but great healthcare is – and always will be – delivered by people. People are our greatest and most irreplaceable strength, the heart of this industry and the reason we celebrate the New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards.

“These awards recognise the outstanding work our primary healthcare professionals do to improve lives, enhance services and ensure every New Zealander has access to the care they deserve. Whether skills lie in medicine, pharmacy, nursing or allied health, our primary healthcare teams share one unifying purpose: to care for others. That shared commitment drives us forward and will define the future of health in New Zealand.

“The awards also acknowledge the crucial, non-replicable role primary care professionals play in delivering innovative services and building enduring relationships with patients.

“I offer my thanks to everyone who entered – the quality, creativity and dedication of their mahi was truly inspiring – and to the many industry partners and sponsors whose support makes these awards possible.”

About The Health MediaThe Health Media publishes New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa, Pharmacy Today | Kaitiaki Rongoā o te Wā, the Healthcare Handbook and Everybody Patient Information Sheets. It also provides accredited continuing professional development services for primary healthcare professionals and hosts the annual New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards | He Tohu Mauri Ora.

About the New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards | He Tohu Mauri OraThe New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards | He Tohu Mauri Ora showcase and celebrate excellence in primary healthcare across Aotearoa New Zealand. The awards were launched in 2020 and held again in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic and the huge burden placed on the sector saw the awards put on hold until 2025. This year’s awards, more than ever, are a testament to the determination, collaboration and creativity of the tireless champions of primary healthcare around the motu.

ProPharma Supreme Award (winner of the winners)

Kate Moodabe, Total Healthcare Charitable Trust, Auckland

TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES (alphabetically by region)

CareHQ Outstanding Contribution to Health

Kate Moodabe, Total Healthcare Charitable Trust

Trailblazer Kate Moodabe has successfully advocated for the national introduction of HPV self-testing to reduce cervical cancer deaths and partnered with BBM Motivation to introduce GP clinics in gyms to boost health screening and support. Judge’s comment: “Remarkable, and measurable, outcomes from major changes that make access easier and also involving the community – taking services to the community by collaborating outside the medical model. An abundance of energy, determination and leadership required to implement and make these important changes successful.”

Medtech General Practitioner of the Year

Glenn Doherty, Tongan Health Society Inc

Glenn Doherty’s four-decade career is defined by an unwavering commitment to equity, holistic care and sustainable change for some of New Zealand’s at-risk communities. Through his leadership, he unites community members, health professionals and policymakers to ensure healthcare strategies meet Pacific needs. Nationally recognised for his service and vision, Dr Doherty inspires others and continues to set new standards of excellence in primary healthcare. Judge’s comment: “A trusted and valued leader who walks alongside Pacific communities, championing health equity and access with compassion and integrity.”

Boehringer Ingelheim Nurse Practitioner of the Year

Rebecca Fenn, Te Iti Pounamu Hauora

Rebecca Fenn co-founded Te Iti Pounamu Hauora, a mobile health service providing free, culturally responsive care in South Auckland. The service reaches vulnerable people often excluded from traditional health systems. With a focus on access, dignity and connection, Mrs Fenn’s leadership has transformed community trust in healthcare and inspired future health professionals, proving the power of nurse practitioner-led innovation in primary care. Judge’s comment: “Truely inspirational mahi. Breaking down the barriers one person at a time, giving them what they need in terms of health, in a place where they are comfortable.”

reCare Community or Primary Healthcare Pharmacist of the Year

Emma Griffiths, ProCare Network

Emma Griffiths has played a leading role in a landmark shift for the pharmacy workforce, helping bring clinical pharmacists into general practice across Tāmaki Makaurau. This was the region’s first large-scale roll out of this model for. Judge’s comment: “This entry is such a breath of fresh air, demonstrating the impact Emma, as a pharmacist through well considered action plans and systems, can have in championing and supporting the role of fellow pharmacists to work in collaboration with the wider team of healthcare providers for the benefit of improved patient outcomes.”

reCare Community Pharmacy Technician of the Year

Palki Kaur Patpatia, Pharmacy Care Group

Palki Kaur takes great pride in her work to ensure patient safety. Among the innovative services Miss Kaur has introduced to her workplace is a medication packing and reminder service to ensure patients have timely access to medication. Miss Kaur says her work during COVID-19 highlights the importance of giving back to the community. Judge’s comment: “Overall, your application powerfully demonstrates the magic factor, blending innovation, compassion and leadership to create meaningful impact. Well done and thank you for the meaningful contribution you make to both your pharmacy and your local community.”

Medical Protection Practice/Business Manager of the Year

Yammi Lam, Four Kauri Family Medical Centre

Practice manager Yammi Lam championed a series of transformative initiatives at Four Kauri Family Medical Centre in Mt Albert. She introduced health improvement practitioner and health coach roles, delivering immediate mental health and behavioural support for patients. She secured priority access to MSD support, while promoting Awhi Ora and Flexifund training. Judge’s comment: “Great initiative that targeted a very marginalised cohort of patients – normalising it! Great work with the service design, driving collaboration internally and externally, it is a holistic and cross-agency solution and it improved access. Great leadership!”

GenPro General Practice of the Year

Manu Ora is the only kaupapa Māori general practice in the upper South Island. Established as a charitable trust, it serves Māori, Pasifika, immigrants and patients with complex needs who often struggle to access care elsewhere. The team delivers extended consultations, wraparound support and outreach to reduce barriers and improve equity. Their pan-iwi governance and strong community partnerships underpin a multidisciplinary, patient-centred approach that is improving outcomes and easing pressure on emergency services. Judge’s comment: “This entrant stood out for a service that has been designed with focus on kaupapa Māori, pan-iwi governance, community connection, multidisciplinary comprehensive approach with focus on continuity and impact on both patients and the system. Outstanding.”

Pharmacy Guild Community Pharmacy of the Year

Vivian Pharmacy Ltd

Vivian Pharmacy is recognised for its commitment to innovation, service, and community health. Located inside a busy medical centre and open 7 days a week, the pharmacy serves a wide range of clients, from private individuals to rest homes and mental health facilities. Owners Catherine Keenan and Amanda Slaats, together with their team, have strategically invested in technology – introducing advanced robotics and digitising workflows – to boost efficiency and patient care. Judges praised Vivian Pharmacy as “an extraordinary example of how a team can use technology to drive safety and efficiency and free up time to spend with patients to improve care.”

Green Cross Health Practice Nurse of the Year

Sarah Poupard, Taupō Medical Centre

Sarah Poupard’s dedication to improving healthcare delivery combined with her professionalism and humanity embody the best of primary care nursing. She has transformed services at Taupō Medical Centre by improving immunisation rates, creating a nurse-led acute care model and establishing a pioneering in-house new graduate programme. Mrs Poupard is known as the calm, collaborative force behind lasting improvements in access, outcomes and workforce sustainability. Judge’s comment: “Impressive integration of organisation/structure, clinical knowledge with culturally responsive care delivery significantly improving access to care for her community.”

Wellington

Chemist Warehouse Young Pharmacist of the Year

Mckinley Vollebregt, Tū Ora Compass Health

Pharmacist McKinley Vollebregt improved clinical outcomes and care for patients with type 2 diabetes at Seatoun Medical in Wellington, strengthening relationships and trust with patients and staff. Judge’s comment, “This submission demonstrates the future focus of healthcare delivery where patients and whānau can access services with health care professionals who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver services. It moves us away from professional silos by placing the consumer and whānau at the centre of delivery!”

KEY HEALTH OUTCOMES (alphabetically by region)

Conporto Health Best Youth Rangatahi Health Service

Turuki Health Care School Based Health Team

Turuki Health Care’s School Based Health Team has had a transformative impact on youth health equity in South Auckland. Operating in 44 schools, the team delivers free, culturally responsive healthcare to students aged 5 to 25, spanning Māori, Pacific, Muslim, migrant, and mainstream communities. By embedding nurses, health workers and a doctor onsite, the team ensures accessible screening, early intervention and health education, while removing barriers to healthcare. Judge’s comment: “A well thought out and collaborative approach to delivering a school health service into high needs communities.”

Bay of Plenty

National Hauora Coalition Mana Taurite (Equity) Service Delivery Award

Kiri Ora Project, Bay of Plenty Community Pharmacy Group

The Kiri Ora service enables tamariki to receive free consultations and treatment with a pharmacist for minor skin conditions. No appointment is needed, and close contacts of tamariki also receive treatment. Follow up calls and text messaging ensures safety and efficacy of therapy. Judge’s comment: “Project was innovative, collaborative through co-design with key stakeholders, and utilised the untapped network and skills with its pharmacies network to have a significant impacted on the targeted population.”

Hawke’s Bay

Access Community Health Primary and Secondary Integration Award

Renal Clinical Pharmacist Facilitator Service, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora – Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay

This codesigned service integrates a dedicated renal clinical pharmacist facilitator o primary and secondary care, improving outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease, many of whom are Māori. The team collaborates with GPs, specialists, pharmacy and whānau to streamline medication management and reduce hospital admissions. Judge’s comment: “This team has done a fantastic job of bringing together the wide range of contributors in this complicated clinical area. The attention to detail and basing this mahi off of a robust quality approach has resulted in a fantastic person-centred service.”

Tamaki Health/Total Healthcare Research and Education Award

Te Takapau Wānanga, Hauora Hokianga and University of Auckland

Te Takapau Wānanga is an innovative workforce development programme preparing health professionals for the realities of rural and Māori health, while directly addressing workforce shortages in remote communities. It offers a five-week, immersive residential experience for students across varied health disciplines, rooted in kaupapa Māori values. Judge’s comment: “Exposing students to the reality of rurality to enrich and inform their clinical practice and development as health professionals is a critical next step in the development of sustainable rural healthcare. Fabulous initiative.”

Conporto Health Innovation in Service Delivery

Levo, Kāpiti Youth Support

A crucial gap in early identification and intervention of young people’s wellbeing journey in the Kāpiti region has been filled by Levo, a human-centred client management and insights platform developed by Kāpiti Youth Service. Levo is transforming how youth wellbeing is understood, measured and improved in a meaningful and culturally relevant way. Judge’s comment: “Ambitious, culturally resonant solution with early proof of value, nail funding model and larger data set and it shifts our overall national youth wellbeing accountability. Well done.”

Spark Health Excellence in Information Technology or Telehealth

Telehealth Service and the Partnership Model, Practice Plus

Launched in 2022, Practice Plus integrates with over 300 general practices, supporting more than two million enrolled patients and offering same-day virtual consultations as an extension of regular general practice care. The service was co-designed with general practice teams to ensure continuity, trust and a strong focus on accessibility and equity – data shows 20% of users are Māori. Judges comment: ” This is a great example of sustainable innovation – breaking down barriers and improving access and equity.”

HALEO Excellence and Innovation in Rehabilitation

Streamlined Recovery Pathway, Habit Health

Habit Health and Silver Fern Farms have created a streamlined recovery pathway that reshapes how workplace injuries are managed. By coordinating care through dedicated health navigators and personalised plans, they have improved outcomes for employees, reduced costs and shortened return-to-work times. It offers a practical model that other organisations could adopt. Judge’s comment: “A great collaborative project that has achieved better outcomes especially for whānau and patients that find it hard to access timely services. It’s potentially a sustainable and replicable model.”

Nelson Bays

BD Rowa Product or Service of the Future

Comprehensive Primary Community Team, Nelson Bays Primary Health

Nelson Bays Primary Health’s Comprehensive Primary Community Team is dedicated to enhancing equity and health outcomes for at-risk populations, including Māori, Pacific Peoples, and tāngata whaikaha in rural communities. By offering early diagnosis, condition management, and preventative care, the team supports hospital avoidance and strengthens local healthcare. The team’s collaborative approach fosters seamless partnerships with local providers, ensuring accessible, sustainable care for individuals and whānau. Judge’s comment: “Your initiative reflected not only outstanding collaboration and operational agility but also a genuine dedication to addressing long-standing inequities in a practical, scalable way. Ka pai on this transformative and inspiring contribution.”

Otago/Southland

reCare Best Mental Health Programme

Tōku Oranga Access and Choice Southern Service, WellSouth Primary Health Network,

Tōku Oranga offers free, immediate mental health and addiction support, easing access for patients and reducing pressure on health systems. With same day or same-week availability, it ensures seamless, accessible wellbeing support for enrolled patients. Judge’s comment, “An outstanding entry in this category. Great use and knowledge of data demonstrated which is so important. Fantastic that this program is now being looked at nationally. You have made a difference in so many people’s lives and an immeasurable contribution to your community.”

Conporto Health Best Senior Health Service

Taurite Tū, Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou Ltd

Taurite Tū, the first evidence-based kaupapa Māori strength and balance programme, is a successful national hauora programme for Māori aged 55 and over, combining physiotherapy with Mātauranga Māori to deliver strength, balance and overall wellbeing.

Judges comment: “A wonderful example of how to address an equity gap, manifesting Ta Mason Durie’s view of how to provide optimal health services for Māori – taking the best of science-based and Mataurangi Māori evidence and wrapping it in Māori tikanga – doing it in a manner that is fully community lead and co-designed.”

CrestClean Business Achievement Award

Vivian Pharmacy Ltd

Vivian Pharmacy has transformed the culture of its workplace to retain and attract staff. Communication is key and owners have an open-door policy of addressing issues as they arise. Champions were identified that could be promoted to team leadership roles and bring others on the culture change journey. Judge’s comment: “This is an excellent example of values-based leadership in action. Vivian Pharmacy has demonstrated how genuine investment in team culture, open communication and staff development can translate into improved service delivery, customer loyalty and business growth.”

Wellington

HealthCare NZ Best Supplier, Service, Product or Campaign

Hepatitis C Regional Service, Tū Ora Compass Health

By removing many barriers to care, Tu Ora Compass Health’s Central Region Hepatitis C Programme is successfully diagnosing and curing hepatitis C across the region, including underserved populations. Accessible services include finger-prick blood screening, prescription-free treatment, testing using plasma separation cards and a mobile fibroscan. Notably, 32 percent screened identified as Māori and 9.4 percent as Pasifika, reflecting a strong equity focus. Judge’s comment: “An outstanding example of a deeply collaborative, equity-driven programme grounded in creativity and practical innovation.”

MIL OSI

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