Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Government

Health Minister Simeon Brown has today announced a series of appointments and reappointments to four health regulatory authorities.

At the Midwifery Council, Melanie Tarrant has been reappointed, with Suzanne MacIntosh and Laura López joining as new members.

The Nursing Council of New Zealand will see Iosefa Paituli Tiata reappointed, alongside the appointment of Professor Sharon Brownie, Dr Frances Hughes, Anthony Hill, and Tony Ward.

The New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board will include the reappointment of Peter Dooley, together with new members Dr Andrea Doubleday and Nic Ross.

The Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand will include reappointments for Brett Besley, Ruth Beeston and Dr Nicola Swain, with Marike Rossouw, Grandy Li, and Dr David Cumin appointed as new members.

“All of these councils and boards play a vital role in protecting the health and safety of New Zealanders by ensuring practitioners are fit and competent to practice, and I thank each of the appointees for their commitment to patients,” Mr Brown says.

All terms of office will commence on 29 September 2025.

Midwifery Council – biographies 

• Melanie Tarrant was first appointed to the Council in October 2018. She is a current member of the Health New Zealand Technical Advisory Group of the National Perinatal Bereavement Care Pathway, and a Trustee of the Food for Thought Educational Trust, a charitable trust focused on teaching children across New Zealand valuable nutrition education skills.
• Suzanne MacIntosh is an experienced midwife and has worked in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom. She is currently a Midwife Clinical Coach for Health New Zealand Counties Manukau and has previous experience as a Senior Core Midwife. She is a preceptor and educator of student midwives, mentors first year midwifery practice, and coaches new graduate midwives.
• Laura López is currently a member of the University of Otago’s Women’s Health Advisory Group and has previously held roles as an Administrator in Finance Transition for Playcentre Aotearoa and Vice President of Public Relations for Wadestown Toastmasters Club. She has also taken on a variety of volunteer roles at Wilton Playcentre, including Co-President and Treasurer.

Nursing Council of New Zealand – biographies

• Iosefa Paituli Tiata has been a member of the Council since 2018. He is a minister at Mount Roskill’s Congregational Christian Church Samoa and has worked as a financial controller for the Church in Samoa for six years and was its chief accountant for five years.
• Professor Sharon Brownie has over 40 years of nursing experience and is currently the Director of Health Strategy and Partnerships at Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria, Australia. She has held a number of academic and educational roles internationally. She has previously been in roles where she was responsible for sizable budgets and health workforce development mandates, such as Chief Executive of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
• Dr  Frances Hughes is a Registered Nurse and has an extensive background in nursing and health care executive and governance positions globally, Australia (Queensland), the Pacific region and New Zealand. Her speciality area of practice is health policy, mental health, high and complex disability, and aged care. Dr Hughes has been international recognised for her leadership and made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2020 for services to nursing and mental health.
• Anthony Hill is a Barrister and is a member of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Lessons Learned from Aotearoa New Zealand’s Response to COVID-19 (Phase 2) and was the Health and Disability Commissioner from 2010-2020.
• Tony Ward brings over 30 years of experience across nursing, paramedicine and tertiary education. He has led the Paramedicine programme and served as Head of Discipline across Paramedicine and Perioperative Practice at Auckland University of Technology, while lecturing widely across postgraduate health curriculums. Mr Ward is a Registered Nurse, Registered Critical Care Paramedic and Registered Extended Care Paramedic. He brings practical frontline experience in across New Zealand and internationally (Australia, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste) together with a deep knowledge of education, clinical systems, and service development.

New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board – biographies

• Peter Dooley has been a member of the Board since March 2017. Mr Dooley has over 20 years’ experience as a Medical Imaging Technologist including one year practising in the United Kingdom. He has a Bachelor of Medical Imaging from Christchurch Polytechnic and an MRI Post Graduate Diploma from Unitec New Zealand. Mr Dooley also has experience as a Guest Lecturer for Medical Imaging at Ara Institute of Canterbury.
• Andrea Doubleday currently works for the University of Auckland where she is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Director for the Bachelor of Medical Imaging in the Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and is the Course Director for five courses. She has  over 30 years’ experience in academia and over 40 years’ experience as a Medical Imaging Technologist. She has previously served in roles such as Clinical Programme Leader for the Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging) at Unitec and has held multiple roles as a senior lecturer in medical imaging for Unitec, Deakin University in Melbourne, and the University of Auckland.
• Nic Ross is an experienced medical imaging and nuclear medicine technologist, with over 20 years’ experience. He is currently employed as the Charge for Computed Tomography and Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PETCT) and has been the Manager at I-MED Hamilton Radiology since 2014. He also held the role of United Kingdom PETCT and Nuclear Medicine Specialist at IBA Molecular. He has experience with the New Zealand Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Technology where he was the Regional Director for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty area from 2014 to 2023, and the President from 2016 to 2018.

Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand – biographies

• Brett Besley has been a member of the Council since 2019 and served as the Chair from 2020 to 2024. He has over 20 years’ experience as an anaesthetic technician and during this time has served in education and facilitator roles. He is currently employed as an Anaesthetic Technician for Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Bay of Plenty.
• Ruth Beeston has been a member of the Council since 2019 and is the current Chair. She has over 30 years’ experience in the medical laboratory field and has worked in both specialist and routine biochemistry laboratories.
• Dr Nicola Swain has been a member of the Council since 2018, is the current Deputy Chair, and is also the Chair of the Medical Sciences Secretariat. She has previously served as the Chair of the Examination Committee, and on the appointment committees for both the new Chief Executive. Dr Swain holds a number of governance roles and is currently a member of the Human Rights Review Tribunal.
• Marike Rossouw is a qualified Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical Technicianin Phlebotomy from the New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science and is currently the Patient Services Manager for Awanui Labs in Auckland, where she oversees nearly 300 pre-analytical staff across the region.
• Grandy Li has over 15 years’ experience as a medical laboratory scientist and is currently the Head of Department in the Specimen Reception for Awanui Labs Dunedin where she leads a team of over 20 professionals and actively participates in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as a member of the Awanui CPD moderation group.
• Dr David Cumin has over a decade of governance experience and is a Senior Lecturer in the department of Anaesthesiology at the University of. Dr Cumin currently holds roles on the University of Auckland School of Medicine Postgraduate Board of Studies Committee and the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee and the School of Medicine Research Committee.

Source: New Zealand Government

Dr Anna Breman, the First Deputy Governor of Sweden’s central bank, has been appointed as the new Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. 

“Dr Breman comes to New Zealand with an impressive blend of technical skills and organisational leadership experience. She has been a Deputy Governor of Sweden’s Riksbank since 2019.

“She holds a PhD in Economics from the Stockholm School of Economics and has previously been group chief economist at Swedbank, a leading Swedish commercial bank. She has also worked at the Swedish Ministry of Finance, the World Bank and as an academic economist in the United States.

“Dr Breman was nominated for the role by the Reserve Bank Board following a worldwide search in which 300 potential candidates were identified.

“The core criteria against which candidates were assessed were enterprise 

leadership, technical credentials, stakeholder engagement experience, personal resilience and cultural capability.

“A long list of 10 international and domestic candidates was created drawn from academia, government, financial or regulatory institutions and central bank leadership. Of these candidates, four were shortlisted for interviews with Board members during July.

“Dr Breman has been appointed for a term of five years. She begins her new role on 1 December and I look forward to working with her.

“I also want to acknowledge Christian Hawkesby who has done an admirable job of filling in as Governor since 8 April. Mr Hawkesby will finish up at the Reserve Bank when Dr Breman starts. Prior to that, he has undertaken to do all he can to prepare and support the new Governor, and I thank him for that. 

“I wish him all the best for the future.”

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health Matt Doocey and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson are in Te Kūiti today as part of the Rural Health Roadshow.

“Te Kūiti is the tenth roadshow stop. I started the roadshow in Levin and have since visited Wairoa, Wānaka, Ōamaru, Hanmer Springs, Gore, Tūrangi, Kaitaia and I was in Hāwera yesterday,” Mr Doocey says.

“These roadshows are an opportunity for me to hear direct feedback from rural communities, like Te Kūiti and those who are working in rural health about what’s working well and where the barriers may be. It is also a great opportunity to hear how well the Rural Health Strategy is being implemented.

“Te Kūiti is home to one of six rural urgent care prototypes being rolled out across the country this year. Each prototype will test practical improvements to rural services, such as improved access to diagnostics, on-call pharmacy support, and digital tools to back up rural clinicians.

“Access to healthcare is one of the biggest concerns for people living in rural and remote areas. Budget 2025 invested $164 million over four years to strengthen urgent and after-hours care nationwide, meaning 98 per cent of Kiwis will be able to access these services within one hour’s drive of their home.

“The funding includes targeted support for more than 70 rural and remote communities, including extended after-hours, 24/7 on-call in-person clinical support and improved access to diagnostics and medicines.

“All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality care, and this Government is committed to improving health and mental health outcomes, including for the one in five people living in rural communities,” Mr Patterson says.

“I’m looking forward to meeting with people in Te Kūiti and hearing firsthand about their experiences with healthcare in their community. It’s important we understand both the challenges and the opportunities so we can work together to improve access and outcomes in the rural setting.”

Source: New Zealand Government

Tongariro te maunga

Taupō te moana

Te Heuheu te tangata!

Whekuwheku ana te whenua i te tāhekenga o hūpē me roimata, haehae ana te manawa i te ngau o te aroha, hotuhotu ana te ngākau i te kaponga ōu e te kupenga a Taramainuku.

Kei konei mātou, kua taka a roto i te rongotanga ake i tēnei hinganga. Ka tangihia tonutia tō tātou Ariki. Ko ngā kāwai o te Whare Ariki ka pākinikini tonu.

E te tāiki ngāpara, topaki atu rā ki te ururuatanga o te wao, ki te puhikaioreore o te ngahere, ki tō tātou maunga tūpuna, ki Tongariro, e kupa atu ai tō wairua ki te kōmata o te rangi. Ki reira kanapu mai nā hei mata o te ariki, o Tāwhirimātea.  Ki te marae ki Tāpeka te kōrero whānui mōu.

It is with sadness that I received the news of the passing of Ariki Tā Tumu Te Heuheu Tūkino VIII, KNZM.  Ariki Tā Tumu was the eighth paramount chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and an influential leader among Māori, New Zealanders and many global fora.

Ariki Tā Tumu was a respected leader and was committed to Tūwharetoa and Māori heritage.  He served as Chair of the Māori Heritage Council, the Tūwharetoa Trust Board, and the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.  

In 2005 Ariki Tā Tumu was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and accepted redesignation as a Knight Companion in 2009. 

We mourn the loss of a leader who was dedicated to the advancement of Iwi, Māori, New Zealanders and ahurea (identity and culture) and the taiao (environment) everywhere. 

Sincere condolences and thoughts to Lady Susan and whānau.  Crown representatives are expected to attend the tangihanga over the course of the next few days.

Source: New Zealand Police

Local Police expertise and a decision to breach bail has led to the recovery of a firearm, and a date back in court for one man.

Early Tuesday morning, one of our Henderson Beat Team members was out conducting mobile patrols In New Lynn and spotted a male behind the wheel of a car.

“The man was known to our local staff, they knew he was forbidden to drive and breaching the conditions of his bail” Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Kelly Farrant says.

Officers signalled for him to stop on Arawa Street.

“After arresting the male and seizing his vehicle, staff have begun an inventory search of the car and uncovered a loaded sawn-off shotgun,” Inspector Farrant says.

“He also had nearly five thousand dollars in cash, as well as a sizeable amount of methamphetamine.”

Inspector Farrant praises the efforts of local police staff in holding the male to account.

“It’s pleasing to see our staff’s local knowledge shine and recognising potential risks to our communities,” she says.

“In this case that good work has taken another firearm out of circulation, and a repeat offender faces the consequences of his actions.”

A 36-year-old man will appear in the Waitākere District Court charged with breaching bail, unlawfully possessing a firearm and failing to comply with the terms of his license.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

On 29 September each year New Zealand Police commemorates Police Remembrance Day on the feast day of the Archangel Michael, the patron saint of police. 

Sadly this year will be the first time Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming’s name will be read as the 34th name on the Roll of Honour, which recognises the ultimate sacrifice of police officers slain on duty.

Across the country, in districts and at the Royal New Zealand Police College, Police staff and members of the Police family will gather on Monday 29 September to pay tribute to Lyn and others.

This is a special time to honour and remember colleagues now lost to us.

In honour of Lyn, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and the Minister of Police the Hon Mark Mitchell will attend a private service at Lyn’s home station, Nelson Central Police Station, in Tasman District.

A national service will be held at the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC). Rolls of names will be read to honour staff who have been slain or died as a result of their duties, as well as serving, retired and former Police staff who have passed away in the preceding 12 months.

We will also be recognising that Constable Matthew Hunt’s plaque now includes his New Zealand Bravery Decoration, awarded posthumously to him in December 2024.

During the national service we will remember our police colleagues in Australia and the Pacific who have been killed by criminal acts while performing their official duties or died as a result of their duties.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers will attend the national service along with the Associate Minister of Police the Hon Casey Costello.

Wreaths will be laid at the New Zealand Police Memorial Wall and recruits will perform a haka to honour those being remembered.

The national Remembrance Day service will be livestreamed on the Police website, the New Zealand Police Facebook page and the New Zealand Police Museum Facebook page from 11am on Monday 29 September. The livestreaming will be recorded and will remain on the Facebook pages and website to watch after the service.

On Police Remembrance Day, Police staff throughout New Zealand wear the huia pin, which was developed by the Police Association and New Zealand Police. The tail plumage of the huia bird – now lost to us – is something rare and special and to wear it is considered by Māori to be a great honour. By incorporating the Police chevron into the huia tail feather, the design of the pin symbolises the honouring of someone special, now lost to police.

Media are invited to the national service at the RNZPC on Monday 29 September 2025, and are asked to be in place by 10.45am for an 11.00am start to the service. Please come to the reception area of the RNZPC by 10.30am.

RSVP if you plan to attend by emailing media@police.govt.nz
 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour, and Health Minister Simeon Brown are pleased to see Pharmac negotiating savings to increase medicines access. 

“For many New Zealanders, funding for pharmaceuticals is life or death, or the difference between a life of pain and suffering or living freely,” Mr Seymour says.

“Pharmac has announced its proposal to fund five new treatments for conditions including multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, eye conditions, and lung cancer.

“We are focussed on fixing what matters. Pharmac estimates that over 1,700 New Zealanders could benefit from the proposal in the first year of funding, rising to 4,000 by year five.

“The impact of this proposal is huge. The new subcutaneous injections are significantly quicker to administer than current IV treatments. If approved, it would save an estimated 7,500 hospital infusion hours in year one, and 12,800 by year five. This frees up health professionals to deliver other treatments. This is exactly what I’ve been pushing Pharmac to consider.

“Every year Pharmac looks for ways to free up money for new medicines. For example, the annual tender helps manage how much New Zealand spends on medicines by reducing the cost of those we already fund. Annual tender changes allow Pharmac to free up between $30 million and $50 million annually.

The proposal includes:

Faricimab – for certain eye conditions
Entrectinib – for lung cancer
Subcutaneous ocrelizumab – for multiple sclerosis
Combined subcutaneous pertuzumab with trastuzumab – for metastatic breast cancer
Ongoing access to bevacizumab – for certain eye conditions

“My expectation is that Pharmac should have strong processes so patients, their families, and clinicians can have a say in decisions. This is part of the ACT-National Coalition Agreement. As part of the consultation Pharmac will engage with relevant clinicians, the public, and advocacy groups.” 

“As Minister of Health, my focus is on ensuring all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare – and that includes the medicines they need,” Mr Brown says.

“Our Government’s record $604 million investment in Pharmac is delivering on that commitment, with thousands of New Zealanders now benefiting from funded or expanded access to cancer and other medicines. It’s encouraging to see real progress in faster access to cancer treatment and other therapies, with even more medicines proposed to become available for Kiwis.”

Consultation is open until 5 pm, Wednesday 8 October 2025.

Source: New Zealand Government

The appointment of three new members to the Civil Aviation Authority’s Board will bring fresh expertise and leadership to the entity, Associate Transport Minister James Meager says.

Mr Meager has appointed Mike Schubert and Peter O’Regan for three-year terms, beginning 8 October 2025. Mel Templeton has also been appointed as a new member, with her term beginning on 26 May 2026.

“These new board members’ extensive experience across aviation and governance will strengthen the CAA as it continues its focus on efficiency and performance, begins its first principles funding review and undertakes rule and technology changes to support an innovative aviation sector,” Mr Meager says.

“The Government is committed to growing the aviation sector, and strong governance is essential to delivering this commitment.

“This refreshed board will continue to provide the leadership needed to support the sector’s growth, enhance safety, and deliver better outcomes for travellers, businesses, and communities.

“I thank departing member Jill Hatchwell, and Charles Spillane, who will be finishing his term in May 2026, for their commitment to the Board.”

Source: PHARMAC

Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus SC) for multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-term condition where the immune system attacks the central nervous system, causing a range of symptoms that can get worse over time.

Ocrelizumab is already funded as an intravenous (IV) infusion for people with relapsing remitting and primary progressive MS.

The proposal is to fund a new injection (subcutaneous) version, which can be given much faster than the current IV treatment. This means people could spend less time receiving treatment, and in the future, may be able to have their treatment closer to home.

Pertuzumab with trastuzumab (Phesgo) for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in New Zealand. Some breast cancers are HER2-positive, which means they have higher levels of a protein that makes the cancer grow faster.

Pertuzumab with trastuzumab are already funded as separate IV infusions for people with HER2-positive metastatic or locally recurrent breast cancer.

The proposal is to fund a new combined injection (Phesgo), which is much quicker to give and could make treatment more convenient for people.

Faricimab (Vabysmo) for diabetic macular oedema and wet age-related macular degeneration

Diabetic macular oedema and wet age-related macular degeneration are serious eye conditions that can cause vision loss.

Faricimab is a new medicine that is injected into the eye by a healthcare professional.

It may be given less often than current treatments, which could mean fewer injections for some people, less time spent at appointments, and could help manage demand on ophthalmology services. This can help people maintain their vision and make treatment easier for them and their families.

Entrectinib (Rozlytrek) for ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. A small number of people with NSCLC have a change in a gene called ROS1, which causes the cancer to grow.

Entrectinib is a new oral medicine (taken as a capsule) for people with ROS1-positive NSCLC. It works by blocking the signals that make the cancer grow and can help slow down or shrink the cancer.

Bevacizumab (Avastin) for eye conditions

Bevacizumab (Avastin) is already funded for people with certain eye conditions, such as ocular neovascularisation and exudative ocular angiopathy, which can lead to vision loss. It is given as an injection into the eye.

This proposal is to secure ongoing access to Avastin for people who need it, so they can continue to receive their treatment without any changes to how it is used or who can get it.

Source: New Zealand Police

Whangārei detectives have commenced an investigation into an early morning house fire in Raumanga.

Police were called to Raumanga Valley Road at around 6.20am.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer says the fire is being treated as suspicious, as enquiries get underway.

“All five occupants were asleep at the time and were able to evacuate safely,” he says.

“It’s fortunate that no one has lost their life, and a homicide investigation is not being commenced.”

The property has sustained extensive damage, and Police will work with fire investigators as part of the investigation.

“At this early stage it appears a couch on the front deck has been deliberately lit,” Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.

“A further scene examination will be carried out at the property as we work to identify who may be involved.”

Police would like to hear from anyone with information to assist enquiries.

“We will be working to establish a full picture of why this incident has occurred, and I’m asking anyone who might have seen suspicious activity before or after the fire to contact us.”

Police especially want to hear from anyone in the Raumanga Valley Road area that has CCTV, or anyone driving in the area between 5.30am and 6.20am with dash cam footage.

Please update Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 250924/3224.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS. 

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police