Latest News
Vaccination our best shot to avoid the flu
Health Minister Dr David Clark has rolled up his sleeve today for his influenza vaccination as part of the annual campaign that kicked off last week.
Community unites to help improve health of Taranaki children
Society is failing the health and wellbeing of our children, according to Taranaki-based Paediatrician Dr Yvonne Anderson who is involved in a one-day forum called ‘Taranaki: where healthy children can flourish.’
Ministry of Health and New Zealand College of Midwives working together on midwifery programme
The Ministry of Health and the New Zealand College of Midwives are working together with urgency on a maternity programme designed to address current pressure on the midwifery-led service.
2018 McBroom Estate funding applications
The McBroom Estate allocates funding annually for health and disability needs in the Waverley and Patea communities. The estate is administered by the Taranaki District Health Board Trust Funds Committee.
Confirmed case of Meningococcal Disease prompts reminder of signs & symptoms
A confirmed case of Meningococcal Disease in New Plymouth has prompted a reminder from Taranaki DHB Medical Officer of Health, Dr Greg Simmons for our community to be vigilant for signs and symptoms of the disease.
Community urged to complete Census to secure millions in health funding
Taranaki DHB is urging the community to get their census completed so that the Government is well informed when making funding and policy decisions that directly impact on the Taranaki population.
Tips on handwashing and other health advice while under a boil water notice
New Plymouth is still under a boil water notice and the health of our community remains everyone’s highest priority, says Jonathan Jarman, Taranaki DHB Medical Officer of Health.
Are you interested in being a voice of health for your community?
Taranaki District Health Board invites you and fellow community members to attend a Community Engagement forum with Chief Executive, Rosemary Clements, to learn about the DHB's plans and discuss improvement ideas.
Protecting Your Health In An Emergency - what to do if there are major water shortages
Taranaki DHB's Public Health Unit provides the following advice about how to protect your health during the current water shortages.
A boil water notice is in place for Taranaki Base Hospital
Taranaki DHB has put measures in place to ensure its business as usual at the hospital even though there is a boil water notice in place until further notice.
Sugary drinks less available to students before school
As children head back to the classroom this term Taranaki DHB’s Public Health Unit is praising the efforts of another six local retail stores who have chosen not to sell sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) to children on their way to school.
University of Auckland expands its rural doctor training to Taranaki
The University of Auckland and Taranaki DHB, along with local leaders and health professionals will welcome 18 year five medical students to Hawera Hospital on Monday, to launch the University’s regional-rural medical programme in Taranaki.
PrimoWireless is gifting free Wi-Fi to Taranaki DHB this Christmas
Taranaki DHB is delighted to announce free Wi-Fi is now available at both Taranaki Base and Hawera Hospitals thanks to the generosity of PrimoWireless, the Taranaki owned and operated internet service provider company.
Taranaki DHB encourages giving the gift of ACP this Christmas
With Christmas fast approaching, Waitara resident Makiterangi Matthews (Te Atiawa) has recently brought her whānau together to discuss her Christmas gift; an advanced care plan (ACP).
Taranaki DHB Serious Adverse Events Report 2016-17
The Health Quality & Safety Commission (HQSC) has released the ‘Learning from Adverse Events’ report for 2016/2017 today which puts consumers at the centre when reporting, reviewing and learning from adverse events.
Taranaki DHB shows support for White Ribbon Day 2017
White Ribbon Day messages will be loud and clear at Taranaki DHB this week, showing support for the international movement to end men’s violence towards women.
Taranaki Doctor wins Australasian award for teaching and supervision of Junior doctors
Dr Jonathan Albrett, Taranaki DHB Anaesthetist and Intensive Care Specialist has received the prestigious Australasian Clinical Educator of the Year (2017) award.
Safe Sleep Day raises awareness of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy - SUDI
Very sadly around 44 babies are lost every year in New Zealand as a result of SUDI. To help promote safe sleep messages and prevent SUDI, national Safe Sleep Day is being held on Friday 1 December.
Tobacco retailers still selling cigarettes to minors
A recent tobacco Controlled Purchase Operation (CPO) carried out in Inglewood, Stratford and New Plymouth showed most retailers in these areas were operating in compliance with the Smoke Free Environment Act and did not sell tobacco products or herbal smoking products to minors.
Taranaki DHB campaign urges people to D.U.M.P. medicines safely
Taranaki DHB is urging people to make their homes safer and protect the environment by taking their unwanted and expired medicines to ANY Taranaki pharmacy for FREE, environmentally-friendly disposal.
RFP to deliver integrated community and hospital laboratory services
The DHB is undertaking a Request For Proposals (RFP) process to identify a single provider to deliver integrated community and hospital laboratory services across the Taranaki region.
Revamped Snack Facts resource helps families choose healthy snack options
Taranaki DHB’s Public Health Unit has revamped one of the most popular health resources used in the community. The Snack Facts and Timonga Kai brochures, which are guides for families on healthy lunchbox snacks and drinks, have been given a new lease of life after being re-produced in both English and Te Reo Māori.
Tips for building resilience and wellbeing in young people
Taranaki DHB is kicking off a 12-day series of resilience and wellbeing tips for parents and caregivers of young people via social media.
Taranaki Coastline Biotoxin Alert

A public health warning has been issued for shellfish collected across much of the Taranaki coastline.
Stratford to host Taranaki Maternity Services roadshow
A range of free and low cost support services for whānau planning a pregnancy, expecting a child, or with young children will be on show at the Taranaki DHB’s Taranaki Maternity Services Roadshow in Stratford next week.
New surgeons provide services closer to home for Taranaki patients
Taranaki patients needing Vascular and Urology services can now receive specialty healthcare faster, closer to home and with continuity of medical staff, thanks to the recruitment of Mr Murray Cox, vascular surgeon, and Mr James ‘Jimmy’ Johnston, urologist.
FAST campaign increases stroke awareness
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a nationwide stroke awareness campaign has seen more New Zealanders reporting suspected strokes.
A School of Rural Medicine to be established
The Government will establish a new School of Rural Medicine within the next three years to produce more doctors for our rural communities, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Taranaki District Health Board Health Targets 2016-2017 - Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter health targets of 2016-2017 have been released by the Ministry of Health.
Surgical patients back on their feet faster
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a programme designed to improve recovery after hip and knee surgery is helping patients get home faster.
Taranaki DHB ranked second most preferred hospital by graduating doctors
Taranaki Hospitals (Taranaki DHB) have come second in a survey that ranks graduating doctors’ most preferred hospitals to work in.
National SUDI prevention programme launched
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today launched a new national Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) prevention programme.
Taranaki DHB reaches 100 per cent occupancy
Taranaki DHB is currently experiencing unprecedented patient volumes and this has been occurring for several weeks.
Taranaki DHB launches winter ED campaign
With winter illnesses and sports injuries adding to the workload at Taranaki DHB’s Emergency Department (ED), an awareness campaign called ‘Should you be at ED?’ has been launched.
McBroom Estate
The McBroom Estate allocates funding for health and disability benefits for the Waverley and Patea communities. The Estate is administered by the Taranaki District Health Board Trust Funds Committee. See inside for the list of successful applicants for 2017.
Strategy to lift deceased organ donation rates
Minister of Health Jonathan Coleman has launched a national strategy which aims to lift the rate of deceased organ donations and therefore increase the number of people who can receive a transplant.
Single phone number to access support services
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says from today a new free 24/7 four digit phone and text number will make it easier for people to connect with mental health and addictions professionals.
Bell Block food & beverage stores band together against sugary drinks
Taranaki’s Bell Block community are working together to reduce school children’s consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, through supporting a Taranaki District Health Board initiative called ‘Tap into Water’ which promotes the implementation of water only guidelines in schools and community facilities.
Celebrating 20 years of pill-free prescriptions
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has marked the 20th anniversary of the Green Prescription initiative, which has seen around 400,000 medication-free healthy lifestyle prescriptions given out.
New report highlights importance of how we eat
Health Minister and Sport & Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman has welcomed the release of ‘How We Eat’, a report that assesses evidence on eating behaviours and their influence on diet and body size.
More funding to support rural mental wellness
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have committed another joint funding boost to rural mental health.
Reducing sudden infant death by 86% in 8 yrs
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government is taking steps to dramatically reduce Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).
Taranaki DHB says MMR vaccine is safe and protects children from serious illness
Becky Jenkins, GM Planning, Funding and Population Health at Taranaki DHB, and qualified Doctor and current Medical Officer of Health at Taranaki DHB, Dr Jonathan Jarman share their views on immunisation.
$12 million to fluoridate more drinking water
Budget 2017 has committed $12 million over four years to fund the infrastructure needed to fluoridate more drinking water, say Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne.
Successful FAST stroke campaign returns
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the successful national campaign highlighting the signs of a stroke and the need to act quickly is being repeated.
Progress on Bowel Cancer screening rollout
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says final preparations are underway for the National Bowel Screening Programme to begin in Hutt Valley and Wairarapa.
Supporting families to raise healthy kids
Health Minister and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman has released the ‘Sit Less, Move More, Sleep Well: Active play guidelines for under-fives’.
Immunisation handbook supports health staff
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has welcomed the release of the 2017 edition of the Immunisation Handbook, which informs health professionals of the safest and most effective use of vaccines.
More doctors attracted to hard-to-staff areas
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says an incentive scheme that attracts new doctors to roles in rural and remote locations that have been traditionally hard-to-staff is making a real difference.
Scheme helping to fill hard-to-staff health roles
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says an incentive scheme designed to increase the number of health professionals working in communities and roles that have traditionally been difficult to staff is making a real difference.
Further support for bowel screening roll-out
Budget 2017 will invest $38.5 million of new operating funding over four years to further support the staged implementation of the national bowel screening programme, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says.
$205.4m for disability support services
Budget 2017 will invest an extra $205.4 million over four years to maintain and improve disability support services, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Associate Health Minister Nicky Wagner say.
$224m boost for mental health
Budget 2017 will invest an extra $224 million over four years in mental health services including $124 million in new innovative approaches, Social Investment Minister Amy Adams and Health Minister Jonathan Coleman say.
Health investment increases to a record $16.8b
Budget 2017 will invest an extra $3.9 billion over four years into Vote Health taking the total health investment to a record $16.77 billion in 2017/18, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says.
Significant progress on healthy kids target 7
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest health target results show increased performance around the country, particularly on the raising healthy kids target.
Taranaki District Health Board Health Targets 2016-2017 - Third Quarter
The third quarter health targets of 2016-2017 have been released by the Ministry of Health.
Parents of rural pre-schoolers warned about STEC bacteria
Taranaki DHB’s Public Health Unit is warning parents of rural pre-schoolers about a nasty toxin producing bacteria that spreads easily and can have life threatening consequences, especially for young children living on and around farms who are most at risk.
Big Change Starts Small – tackling obesity
Health Minister and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes the return of an awareness campaign which encourages families to make small changes to help tackle childhood obesity.
Over 680 doctors & nurses in Taranaki DHB
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a record number of doctors and nurses are taking care of patients in Taranaki DHB.
Taranaki DHB Pathology and Laboratory Stakeholder Feedback Update
The Taranaki DHB Pathology and Laboratory project has progressed rapidly over the last couple of weeks.
Taranaki’s home support funding is up 39%
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest data shows that funding for home support services in the Taranaki region is up 39 per cent.
GP guide for youth medical records online
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes a new guide advising GPs on how they provide access to children and young person’s health information via patient portals.
$2b pay equity settlement for 55,000 health care workers signed
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says today’s signing of the care and support workers’ $2 billion pay equity settlement in an important milestone.
Immunisation week – focusing on older kids
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says this year’s theme for the annual immunisation week is ‘ensuring teenagers and older children are immunised.’
Work underway to address antimicrobial resistance
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Food Safety Minister David Bennett have welcomed steps to enhance New Zealand’s ability to respond to the growing global issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Immunisation clinic popping up in Waitara to celebrate Immunisation week
An Immunisation Clinic will be popping up in the Maori Women’s Welfare League rooms (31 McLean St) in Waitara on Wednesday 3 May from 9am to celebrate Immunisation Week which is from 1-7 May.
Taranaki DHB Pathology and Laboratory Stakeholder Feedback Update
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback into the draft Service Specification for Pathology and Laboratory Services in the Taranaki region. Feedback closed on Monday 3 April 2017 at 5pm and has now been collated.
Taranaki DHB promotes immunisation for boys and girls to protect against HPV-related cancers
Taranaki public health nurses and general practices are busy this month protecting a new group of young New Zealanders against HPV-related cancers, with changes to the National Immunisation Schedule now providing free HPV immunisation for everyone aged 9–26, including boys and young men for the first time.
Minister of Health Volunteer Awards open
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says nominations are now open for the 2017 Minister of Health Volunteer Awards.
Parent Hub returns to WOMAD 2017
It's no secret WOMAD is a family-friendly festival, and this year it has retained that title by teaming up with the Taranaki District Health Board again to offer the Parent Hub at this year’s festival.
Taranaki Health Foundation launches new fundraising campaign to improve mental health facility
The Taranaki Health Foundation will launch a new community campaign this week called ‘The Open Minds Project,’ which aims to raise funds for enhancements to Taranaki’s Mental Health Inpatient Unit currently being renovated.
Taking charge of future healthcare with Advance Care Planning
A group of Bell Block residents are being encouraged to start a conversation about planning for their future and end of life care, thanks to a new Advance Care Planning (ACP) campaign launched by Taranaki DHB.