This is a one-off grant is for primary care nurses working in general practitioner and nurse practitioner practices, schools and other primary care settings to build their knowledge and skills in mental health and addiction.

From 1 December 2025, Pharmac will remove Special Authority renewal requirements for several treatments, including insulin pump consumables, continuous glucose monitors, LAMA/LABA inhalers, epoetin alfa, budesonide capsules, and febuxostat.

Te Whatu Ora is streamlining how general practice holiday hours are collected by working with Healthpoint. Please update your Healthpoint listing with accurate Christmas and New Year opening hours before 1 December 2025.

Te Whatu Ora has introduced free listings for graduate registered nurse roles on their careers site and funding remains available to support graduate registered nurse employment in primary and community care.

Pathlab’s total protein assay has been re-standardised to align with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceability. This results in a 4 per cent increase in total protein results and updated reference intervals, effective 3 November 2025.

Pathlab introduced an improved anti-MPO reagent for ANCA testing from 17 October 2025. The change will cause a one-time downward shift in numerical values but reduce false positives.

Pathlab will introduce a new HPV dry tube collection kit from late October 2025, replacing the current buffer (wet) tube. The new dry kit eliminates spillage and includes updated labelling and instructions.

Nominations are open for the 2025 Minister of Health Volunteer Awards, celebrating volunteers who make a real difference in our health system. Please submit nominations by 5pm, Sunday 23 November 2025.

Te Whatu Ora is exploring the use of an AI-supported symptom checker to help people navigate health services. They are seeking experienced clinicians and health sector leaders to join the Symptom Checker Governance Group, which will ensure the tool is clinically safe, culturally appropriate, evidence-based and aligned with national strategy.

A number of unions have advised Te Whatu Ora that their members are planning to strike on Thursday 23 to Friday 24 October. Patient safety will remain priority and Te Whatu Ora has agreements with the unions for life preserving services support from union members for the strike periods.