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While we understand the urgency, the way to report is through our online incident notification form – easily accessible via the red button on our homepage.

Using our main contact channels ensures you get any immediate assistance you need, as they’re always monitored during business hours and have after-hours support in place. This helps you to avoid delays that can happen when reaching out directly to someone who might not be working. Also, giving Maritime NZ staff uninterrupted breaks from work is important for their health and wellbeing.

When in doubt, fill it out

If it’s crossed your mind to contact us, it’s worth submitting a notification. Not sure if it’s notifiable? Submit it via the form and we’ll review it.

Our team will pick up your report quickly, assess its urgency, and ensure it reaches the right people. Urgent incidents are promptly escalated to the right frontline manager who will contact you to discuss any immediate steps needed (such as scene hold decisions).

Even if no further action is needed, every notification helps our harm prevention teams identify trends and improve safety across the maritime sector.

After hours serious event?

On weekends, New Zealand public holidays and on weekdays between 4:30pm and 9am NZT call 0508 22 55 22 to notify us about an actual or potential loss of life, serious injury, serious damage to a vessel or port, or serious pollution.

This will connect you with our out of hours call centre service, which will put you in contact with an experienced Maritime NZ staff member.

For an emergency response if you’re facing a life-threatening situation and require emergency services, call 111 immediately or radio a MAYDAY on VHF Channel 16.

The MMA Vision, owned by MMA Offshore and currently on charter to support offshore activity in Taranaki, has assisted in previous incidents such as last year’s Manahau grounding on the West Coast, when it successfully pulled the barge off the beach and towed it to Tasman Bay.

The agreement between Maritime NZ, MMA and the vessel charterer currently runs until July 2026 and will provide additional maritime safety and response capabilities for New Zealand and, in particular, Cook Strait. The vessel will be stationed in the vicinity of Wellington Harbour or the Marlborough Sounds when not engaged in its primary operational activity in Taranaki.

Cook Strait is a vital maritime route between Wellington and Picton, known for its challenging conditions and high volume of marine traffic. The availability of the MMA Vision will reduce potential risk for passengers and vessels crossing the Strait.

At the same time, the Government has decided to continue to explore procuring an enduring emergency ocean response capability, on a predominantly user-pays basis.

“We are interested in testing the willingness of users (public and industry) to pay a levy to fund a permanent response capability. I have instructed officials to provide me with advice on the most effective approach and expect to hear back in the middle of the year,” Minister Bishop said in the 17 April statement.

The memoranda focus on eliminating substandard shipping, enhancing maritime safety, protecting the marine environment, and ensuring good working and living conditions on ships.

The campaign was conducted from September to November 2024 and focused on crew wages and employment agreements in line with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.

During the three-month period, 8,134 inspections were carried out, with 6,580 specifically addressing the campaign’s focus areas that promote fair treatment and enhance the welfare of seafarers globally. The campaign resulted in 297 ship detentions, including 20 directly related to MLC violations, accounting for 7% of all detentions.

Common deficiencies included the absence of signed seafarer employment agreements (16%) and seafarers being unable to access information about their employment conditions on board (28%).

Ships from Panama, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands were most frequently inspected – 39% of the total. Some ships from Panama, Liberia, Mongolia, and Gambia were detained more than once.

A comprehensive report detailing the findings will be published later this year.

Note the meeting date is now one day earlier than the date originally shared. This is to accommodate advisor availability. 

What we’re doing

Pharmac is sharing what medicine applications will be considered at the Rare Disorders Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday 10 June 2025.

We understand that people living with rare disorders face many challenges, including access to health care and effective medicines. Sharing the Rare Disorders Advisory Committee meeting agenda offers more transparency to those looking for updates on specific medicines.

The agenda for the meeting includes applications for treatments for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH), hereditary angioedema (HAE), Fabry disease, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). It also includes a review of recent evidence for miglustat for Neimann Pick Type C.

The records from the Rare Disorders Advisory Committee meeting will be released later in the year. Funding applications will be reviewed using the Rare Disorders policy principles and will be assessed in line with Pharmac’s usual processes. 

We are working with the consumer group Rare Disorders New Zealand(external link) to make sure the right voices are heard at this meeting – we thank them for their time and expertise.

Applications

Pegunigalsidase alfa-iwxy for Fabry Disease

The Committee will discuss a new application for an Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) for people with Fabry disease. Fabry disease is a neurological condition that can affect many parts of the body, including the kidneys, heart, and skin.

Pegunigalsidase alfa-iwxy (branded as Elfabrio) is another treatment option for this condition.  The Committee had previously recommended funding of agalsidase alfa, agalsidase beta and migalastat for Fabry disease.

Application for pegunigalsidase alfa-iwxj for Fabry disease(external link)

Previous considerations of agalsidase alfa(external link), agalsidase beta(external link) and migalastat(external link) for Fabry disease.

Onasemnogene abeparvovec for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), pre-symptomatic or type 1

The Committee will rediscuss an application for onasemnogene abeparvovec for the treatment of pre-symptomatic or type 1 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMA is a genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness and wasting due to the loss of nerve cells in the spinal cord.

Previously the Rare Disorders Advisory Committee deferred making a recommendation for onasemnogene abeparvovec, seeking long-term evidence on its efficacy and safety. The Committee will consider the latest data now available.

Application for onasemnogene abeparvovec for SMA(external link)

Garadacimab for hereditary angioedema (HAE)

The Committee will discuss a new application for people with hereditary angioedema (HAE). HAE is an inherited disorder that results in recurrent episodes of severe swelling (angioedema).

The Committee had previously recommended funding of another treatment for HAE, lanadelumab.

Application for garadacimab for HAE(external link)

Previous application for lanadelumab(external link)

Iptacopan, Eculizumab, and Crovalimab for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH)

The Committee will discuss three applications for treatments for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) – iptacopan, eculizumab, and crovalimab.  PNH is a rare blood disorder in which red blood cells break apart prematurely. This can lead to anaemia, blood clots and other complications.

Pharmac has previously assessed eculizumab for PNH on several occasions. This is a new application which the Committee will consider in the context of rare disorders.

Application for iptacopan for PNH(external link)

New application for eculizumab for PNH(external link)

Previous considerations of eculizumab for PNH(external link)

Application for crovalimab for PNH(external link)

Matters Arising

Miglustat for Neimann Pick Type C

The Committee previously assessed miglustat for Neimann Pick Type C. New evidence was provided by a clinician, and so the Committee will consider if this changes their previous recommendation.

Previous consideration of Niemann Pick Type C(external link)

Advisory meeting agenda setting

The scheduling and agenda setting process for advisory meetings considers multiple factors. We aim to balance the relative priorities of:

• clinical advice needed across indications
• the factors for consideration for each application (for example unmet health need)
• the time since applications were received
• the internal and advisor resource available to support each meeting.

Applications received through the rare disorders call for applications that are not included on this agenda will be considered as soon as practicable via the most appropriate Advisory Committee for the application.

Correspondence and matters arising discussion papers

Potential oncology agent brand changes

The Committee will discuss potential product changes that may result from the 2024/2025 Invitation to Tender (ITT). This is seeking specific advice from cancer specialists about oncology medicines that could be impacted by a brand change.

Bevacizumab funding criteria for ovarian cancer

From 1 March 2025, bevacizumab was funded for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. The Committee will consider correspondence on the current eligibility criteria, received after the funding decision. The Committee will review the eligibility criteria to ensure they are appropriate.

Bevacizumab for ovarian cancer, advanced, 1^st line | Application Tracker(external link)

Bevacizumab for second-line treatment of high-risk advanced ovarian cancer | Application Tracker(external link)

Bevacizumab for relapsed or recurrent glioma consultation feedback

The Committee previously provided advice on multiple occasions on the use of bevacizumab for glioma. In October 2024, CTAC recommended that bevacizumab monotherapy for the treatment of relapsed or recurrent high-grade glioma be declined. This recommendation was in the context of ongoing lomustine supply. The Committee also recommended bevacizumab in combination with lomustine for the treatment of relapsed or recurrent high-grade glioma be declined.

At this meeting the Committee will consider feedback received from the Brain Tumour Support NZ and the NZ Aotearoa Neuro-Oncology Society about the about the application for bevacizumab for relapsed or recurrent glioma.

Bevacizumab for glioblastoma multiforme, relapsed or recurrent(external link)

Bevacizumab with lomustine for high-grade glioma, relapsed or recurrent(external link)

Applications

Trastuzumab deruxtecan for Her-2 low, unresectable or metastatic breast cancer

The Committee will discuss an application for the use of trastuzumab deruxtecan for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) low, unresectable, or metastatic breast cancer. No targeted agents specifically for the treatment of HER-2 low unresectable or metastatic breast cancer have previously been considered by the Committee.

Trastuzmab deruxtecan for Her-2 low, unresectable or metastatic breast cancer(external link)

Azacitidine, ruxolitinib and tocilizumab for VEXAS syndrome

The Committee will discuss three treatments for VEXAS syndrome. VEXAS syndrome (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) is a severe autoinflammatory condition that presents with various and broad symptoms, including blood, joint and skin symptoms.

Azacitidine, ruxolitinib and tocilizumab are currently funded for certain uses with eligibility criteria. We understand some people with VEXAS may already be able to access funded treatment where their symptoms align with the funded population. In recent years, Pharmac has also considered a number of applications for individuals with VEXAS syndrome through its exceptional circumstances framework – Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA). 

We will seek initial advice from CTAC about treatments for this condition, before considering what further advice may be required from other specialty areas.

Azacitidine for VEXAS syndrome(external link)

Ruxolitinib for VEXAS syndrome(external link)

Tocilizumab for VEXAS syndrome(external link)

Advisory meeting agenda

The scheduling and agenda setting process for advisory meetings considers multiple factors. We aim to balance the relative priorities of clinical advice needed across indications, the factors for consideration for each application (for example unmet health need), the time since applications were received and the internal and advisor resource available to support each meeting.

We currently have a high number of funding applications for cancer treatments awaiting clinical advice.  We are working to enhance capacity and timeliness of expert advice for cancer treatment applications. We expect more applications will be able to be reviewed at future meetings.

More information about advisory committees