Category: Health

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Draft Suicide Prevention Action Plan for 2025 – 2029 Public consultation document

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Suicide prevention efforts in New Zealand are guided by these two documents:

  1. Every Life Matters – He Tapu te Oranga o ia Tangata: Suicide Prevention Strategy 2019–2029 (He Tapu te Oranga)
  2. Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2019–2024 for Aotearoa New Zealand. 

The strategy contains the framework for a national approach to suicide prevention and was designed to be supported by two five-year action plans that would contain the practical activities to drive change.  

The first Suicide Prevention Action Plan, covering 2019–2024, will expire at the end of this year.

The Ministry of Health has led the drafting of a new action plan which is strongly aligned with the Government’s Mental Health portfolio priorities, which in this context are to:  

  • improve access to suicide prevention and postvention support
  • grow a workforce that is able to support those at risk of or impacted by suicide
  • strengthen our focus on prevention and early intervention across the range of factors that can influence suicide
  • improve the effectiveness of suicide prevention and postvention supports by improving research and data collection.

The draft action plan draws from the insights that communities, families and people with lived experience have shared around what they need from government to prevent suicide, as well as the key evidence and research.  

The draft action plan focuses on a range of initiatives and actions that health agencies and government agencies have committed to that will support suicide prevention.

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Te Weu me Te Wai: Research into the health and wellbeing impacts of adverse weather conditions

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

In 2023 a series of extreme weather events occurred, including Cyclone Gabrielle on 13 February. The Ministry of Health (the Ministry) commissioned research Te Weu me Te Wai – Research into health and wellbeing impacts of adverse weather conditions to understand how health and the health system was impacted by these events. The research was completed in July 2024 and was undertaken as a partnership between two community organisations, Te Weu Tairāwhiti and Sustainable Hawke’s Bay, with the University of Auckland. The research examines the impacts from the extreme weather on the health and wellbeing of affected communities and how the health system responded. 

The researchers have provided extensive recommendations for the health system, health providers, the emergency response sector and to prepare for further impacts from climate change. These recommendations have been informed by detailed analysis of the experiences of 143 whānau Māori, Pacific Peoples, disabled people, youth and the elderly who resided in Te Tairāwhiti and the Hawke’s Bay. These participants were first responders, heath workers, council staff, and members of the public. Key findings included:

  • bolstering localised community capacity, capability, and connections will enable communities to support themselves and control emergency responses, increasing the likelihood of improved health and wellbeing outcomes after an extreme weather event
  • strengthening the connection and presence of health services within local communities is likely to improve health and wellbeing outcomes 
  • government disaster procurement policy needs to include health and wellbeing as an outcome where the impact of damage to infrastructure such as telecommunications, power, water, transport, internet and human resources has on healthcare services and outcomes is incorporated.

Read the report

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Measuring Public Health Behaviours and Intentions – Wave Two

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

In June 2023, the Public Health Agency, within the Ministry of Health, commissioned research and evaluation agency Verian to undertake a series of research projects and population surveys into attitudes and behaviours related to public health measures following the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of COVID-19 on New Zealanders’ attitudes and behaviours towards public health measures and use this knowledge to better prepare the Ministry, and other decision makers, for future pandemics and other major health threats.

This work is split into two parts, each with two reports. The first part is two repeated behavioural surveys to monitor adherence to public health measures over time, covering both intention and actual behaviour. The second part is a qualitative analysis to explore drivers of COVID-19 related public health behaviours, and a report to quantify the impact of barriers and other factors on adherence to public health measures. All four reports can be found at COVID-19 behavioural science research. 

This report, Measuring public health behaviours and intentions – wave two is the second report based on repeat surveys. To inform this report, 1,642 people were surveyed online and 200 people were surveyed over the phone, between 20 May 2024 and 9 June 2024. Māori and Pacific peoples were over-sampled to ensure sufficient sample sizes for analysis. Interviewees came from different parts of New Zealand, urban and rural, and a range of occupations and living situations.

Overall, the report suggests that in June 2024, a smaller proportion of New Zealanders were following public health advice to protect themselves and others from respiratory disease when compared to November 2023.

The reports reflect the beliefs of those people surveyed and not the views of the Ministry of Health.

The report will help enhance the Ministry’s understanding of people’s attitudes to public health measures and provides ideas on how to communicate important public health information and support people taking protective and preventative measures.

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COVID-19’s role in shaping reactions to public health advice and New Zealanders’ preferences for handling a new pandemic

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

In June 2023, the Public Health Agency, within the Ministry of Health, commissioned research and evaluation agency Verian to undertake a series of research projects and population surveys into attitudes and behaviours related to public health measures following the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of COVID-19 on New Zealanders’ attitudes and behaviours towards public health measures and use this knowledge to better prepare the Ministry, and other decision makers, for future pandemics and other major health threats.

This work is split into two parts, each with two reports. The first part is two repeated behavioural surveys to monitor adherence to public health measures over time, covering both intention and actual behaviour. The second part is a qualitative analysis to explore drivers of COVID-19 related public health behaviours, and a report to quantify the impact of barriers and other factors on adherence to public health measures. All four reports can be found at COVID-19 behavioural science research. 

This report, COVID-19’s role in shaping reactions to public health advice and New Zealanders’ preferences for handling a new pandemic is the second report in Part Two, the mixed method project. It follows on from the qualitative report Life since the pandemic: How the COVID-19 pandemic experience has shaped public attitudes and beliefs on public health, infectious disease and vaccination. This report outlines the results of a quantitative survey aiming to quantify the impact of barriers and other factors on adherence to public health measures. It was informed by 1,655 people surveyed online and 200 people surveyed over the phone, conducted between 17 April and 9 May 2024. Māori and Pacific peoples were over-sampled to ensure sufficient sample sizes for analysis. Interviewees came from different parts of New Zealand, urban and rural, and a range of occupations and living situations.

Overall, the report suggests:

  • Most people will get vaccinated and respond to public health advice in response to a future pandemic. However, some people are now less likely to heed public health advice than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Many of the ways used during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep New Zealanders informed, such as daily briefings and webpages, would be effective in a future pandemic.
  • Most people want information directly from health authorities focused on how infection spreads and clear advice about when to stay home.

The reports reflect the beliefs of those people surveyed and not the views of the Ministry of Health.

The report will help enhance the Ministry’s understanding of people’s attitudes to public health measures and provides ideas on how to communicate important public health information and support people taking protective and preventative measures.

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Health and Independence Report 2023

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora plays an essential role in monitoring the health system performance and supporting the Government to set the strategic direction and policy for health. The report provides robust data from 2023 and shows the progress we have made in many areas, as well as challenges we have encountered, such as disparities in health outcomes within our communities. 

The report contains four main sections with a range of information about the population, health measures, causes of health loss and determinants of health and wellbeing.  

  • People of Aotearoa New Zealand – an overview of the population of Aotearoa New Zealand, including equity, population estimates and population demographics.
  • Health Measures – information about the health of New Zealanders, including health expectancy, mortality, mental wellbeing, chronic pain, and diabetes.
  • Causes of health loss – covers major causes of health loss, including both mortality (deaths) and morbidity (poor health).
  • Determinants of Health and Wellbeing – the wider determinants that influence people’s mental and physical health, such as socioeconomic factors, the physical environment, and barriers to accessing healthcare. 

Indicator tables that provide key data from the 2023 report, with additional breakdowns of the statistics are also available.

Additional unpublished data that was used to inform the Health and Independence Report 2023 has been shared on the Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora GitHub page.

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Draft Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm 2025/26 to 2027/28

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

The Gambling Act 2003 (the Act) sets out requirements for an ‘integrated problem gambling strategy focused on public health’.

The Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora is responsible for refreshing the strategy every three years. The Crown recovers the cost of developing and implementing the strategy, though a ‘problem gambling levy’ set by regulation at a different rate for each of the four main gambling sectors.

The Ministry is now consulting on our draft Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm for 2025/26 to 2027/28 and the draft levy rates.

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Maximum Contribution Applying in Each Territorial Local Authority Region from 1 September 2024

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Under section 53 of the Residential Care and Disability Support Services Act 2018, the Director-General of Health has determined the maximum contribution that applies in each region for long-term aged residential care.

The maximum contribution is the maximum weekly amount (inclusive of GST) that a resident assessed as requiring long-term residential care (through a needs assessment and service coordination agency) is required to pay for contracted care services provided to them in the region in which their rest home or continuing care hospital is located.

The maximum contribution is the same for all residents regardless of the type of contracted care services they receive. It is equivalent to the rest home contract price applying to residential care facilities in each region.

The maximum contribution set by this notice applies from 1 September 2024 and replaces the previous maximum contribution notice published in the New Zealand Gazette, 1 July 2023, Notice No. 2023-go2824.

Description of Regions

The appendix of this notice sets out the maximum contribution rates. The appendix contains two parts:

  • Part 1, which sets out the rates that apply within Territorial Local Authority (TLA) boundaries; and
  • Part 2, which sets out the rates that apply within specific Statistical Areas, which are smaller subregions within the TLA boundaries specified in Part 1.

The rate specified for the relevant region in Part 1 applies unless the facility is in a statistical area region set out in Part 2, in which case the rate specified in Part 2 applies. This reflects that a higher maximum contribution rate applies in the rural localities represented by the Statistical Area Regions in Part 2 of the Table.

Statistics New Zealand has a geographic boundary viewer that displays the TLA areas and statistical areas in the appendix on a map of New Zealand. See here for more information: Geographic Boundary Viewer .

Health New Zealand will notify residences of the maximum contribution rate that applies to their facility. The facility will inform residents.

Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) Agencies, Specialised Processing Services, the Ministry of Social Development and residential care providers will also be able to advise the maximum contribution rate for a facility.

Dated at Wellington this day of 16 August 2024.

Dr DIANA SARFATI, Director-General of Health, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Hauora.

Appendix: Maximum contribution rates

Part 1: Territorial Local Authority Region

Maximum Contribution Weekly $ (GST Inclusive)

Far North District

$1,404.13

Whangarei District

$1,434.51

Kaipara District

$1,444.66

Rodney District

$1,468.60

North Shore City

$1,506.12

Waitakere City

$1,476.23

Auckland City

$1,511.09

Manukau City

$1,496.11

Papakura District

$1,468.60

Franklin District

$1,430.59

Thames-Coromandel District

$1,450.05

Hauraki District

$1,409.45

Waikato District

$1,409.45

Matamata-Piako District

$1,409.45

Hamilton City

$1,444.80

Waipa District

$1,409.45

Otorohanga District

$1,439.76

South Waikato District

$1,399.16

Waitomo District

$1,444.80

Taupo District

$1,434.51

Western Bay of Plenty District

$1,430.59

Tauranga City

$1,451.87

Rotorua District

$1,434.51

Whakatane District

$1,424.36

Kawerau District

$1,444.66

Opotiki District

$1,444.66

Gisborne District

$1,406.93

Wairoa District

$1,469.93

Hastings District

$1,429.40

Napier City

$1,429.40

Central Hawke’s Bay District

$1,429.40

New Plymouth District

$1,429.40

Stratford District

$1,404.13

South Taranaki District

$1,409.45

Ruapehu District

$1,444.80

Wanganui District

$1,409.45

Rangitikei District

$1,444.66

Manawatu District

$1,404.13

Palmerston North City

$1,424.36

Tararua District

$1,404.13

Horowhenua District

$1,404.13

Kapiti Coast District

$1,434.51

Porirua City

$1,434.51

Upper Hutt City

$1,424.36

Lower Hutt City

$1,454.11

Wellington City

$1,476.58

Masterton District

$1,406.93

Carterton District

$1,404.13

South Wairarapa District

$1,404.13

Tasman District

$1,459.57

Nelson City

$1,459.57

Marlborough District

$1,424.36

Kaikoura District

$1,430.59

Buller District

$1,439.76

Grey District

$1,399.16

Westland District

$1,439.76

Hurunui District

$1,450.05

Waimakariri District

$1,430.59

Christchurch City

$1,439.34

Banks Peninsula District

$1,479.94

Selwyn District

$1,471.19

Ashburton District

$1,414.35

Timaru District

$1,409.45

Waimate District

$1,399.16

Waitaki District

$1,399.16

Central Otago District

$1,404.13

Queenstown-Lakes District

$1,454.74

Dunedin City

$1,424.36

Clutha District

$1,399.16

Southland District

$1,439.76

Gore District

$1,399.16

Invercargill City

$1,404.13

Part 2: Statistical Area Region

Statistical Area code 2 2023

Maximum Contribution Weekly $ (GST Inclusive)

Kaeo

101900

$1,444.66

Kaitaia

100800

$1,444.66

Hokianga South

102100

$1,444.66

Kaikohe

103501

$1,444.66

Wellsford

110501

$1,509.13

Cape Rodney

110400

$1,509.13

Glenbrook

162400

$1,471.19

Te Kauwhata East

171101

$1,450.05

Raglan

171601

$1,450.05

Matarawa

186400

$1,439.76

Athenree

190400

$1,471.19

Tokomaru

205000

$1,447.53

Opunake

220700

$1,450.05

Te Roti-Moeroa

221201

$1,450.05

Pātea

222201

$1,450.05

Pahiatua

233600

$1,444.66

Tākaka

300500

$1,500.10

Waitohi (Marlborough District)

306801

$1,464.89

Oxford

313200

$1,471.19

Methven

336901

$1,454.88

Danseys Pass

343300

$1,439.76

Palmerston

344700

$1,439.76

Alexandra North

345500

$1,444.66

Teviot Valley

345800

$1,444.66

Lindis-Nevis Valleys

344800

$1,444.66

Cromwell West

344900

$1,444.66

Wānaka West

346800

$1,495.34

Wānaka Central

347000

$1,495.34

Balclutha South

356500

$1,439.76

Balclutha North

356600

$1,439.76

West Otago

355800

$1,439.76

Milton

356400

$1,439.76
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Registrar (assisted dying) Annual Report – June 2024

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Summary

The End of Life Choice Act 2019 (the Act) came into force on the 7 November 2021. This established the Assisted Dying – Ngā Ratonga Mate Whakaahuru service in New Zealand Aotearoa.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for the administration of the Act. The Act requires the Registrar (assisted dying) to report to the Minister of Health about the operation of the service each year by the 30 June.

This Registrar (assisted dying) Annual Report covers the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

In addition to information required by the Act, this report summarizes information relating to the Ministry’s regulation and monitoring of the service, service usage, and feedback about the service.

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Public consultation opens on review of the End of Life Choice Act

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

New Zealanders are invited to share their views on the End of Life Choice Act 2019 as part of a review of the Act. 

The End of Life Choice Act is the law that makes assisted dying legal in New Zealand. It came into force on 7 November 2021, following a public referendum held alongside the 2020 General Election.  

Online consultation begins today (1 August 2024) and ends at 5pm on Thursday 26 September 2024. View the online consultation.   

The Ministry of Health administers the Act. Under the legislation, the Ministry is required to review the operation of the Act within three years of it coming into force, and every five years after that.  

The Ministry is carrying out the review in two parts:  

  • a review of the operation of the Act, focused on how well it is currently achieving its purposes. This is already underway.
  • an online process to gather public feedback about changes that could be made to the Act. 

“Many people and organisations have expressed interest in sharing their views on the Act, so the Ministry of Health is now inviting people to share these through our digital consultation platform,” says Emma Prestidge, Group Manager, Family and Community Health Policy at the Ministry of Health.  
 
“People can share their views on any aspect of the Act. We will be collating the public feedback we receive into a summary report for the Government.”
 
Along with the summary of feedback, the Ministry will also provide the Office of the Minister of Health Hon Dr Shane Reti with a report outlining findings from its review of the operation of the Act.  Both documents will be tabled in Parliament. 

The Government will not make changes to the End of Life Choice Act following the review. However, individual political parties can decide whether they wish to progress changes through Members’ bills. 

Health New Zealand publishes data on assisted dying on a quarterly basis, and the Registrar (assisted dying) Annual Report, published by the Ministry of Health, provides an annual overview. 

The latest full-year data shows that 344 people had an assisted death in the year to 31 March 2024.  

The purposes of the End of Life Choice Act are to: 

  • give people who have a terminal illness, and who meet certain criteria, the option of lawfully requesting medical assistance to end their lives 
  • establish a lawful process for assisting eligible people who exercise that option 
  • provide for safeguards to ensure that assisted dying is only provided to those who are eligible, who actively seek and consent to it, and that this consent is provided without pressure from others.  

Information about the public consultation and the review can be found in the Assisted Dying Service section.