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Hauora Update from the Ministry of Health

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Kia ora koutou


As we approach the end of the 2025, I want to acknowledge

the dedicated and hard-working health workforce, who have

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worked tirelessly across the country to improve health outcomes

for all New Zealanders.


While our health system faces challenges, good progress has

been made this year in a range of areas that are key to improving New Zealanders' health outcomes. This week’s reporting against health targets highlights some of this progress.


Key improvements for the July to September quarter compared to the same time last year:


  • Faster cancer treatment: 86.8% of patients started treatment within 31 days, up from 84.6%. This is supported by the Government's $604 million Pharmac boost delivering 33 new cancer medicines.

  • Improved childhood immunisations: 82.6% of children fully immunised by age two, up from 75.7% - the largest gain across all targets – protecting thousands more young Kiwis from preventable diseases.

  • Shorter emergency department stays: 68.9% of patients admitted, treated or discharged within six hours, up from 67.5%, despite higher attendances.

  • Shorter waits for elective procedures: 65.9% of patients received treatment within four months, up from 62.2%.

  • Shorter waits for specialists: 62.3% of patients had their first assessment within four months, up from 61.2%.


The mental health target results released on Wednesday also show improvement compared to the same period last year:


·         Faster access to primary mental health and addiction support: 83.4% of people accessed primary support within one week, up from 80.8%.

·          Faster access to specialist mental health and addiction services: 82.2% of people accessed specialist services within three weeks, up from 80.4%.

·         Shorter emergency department stays for mental health and addiction: 66.8% of people in distress were seen and admitted or discharged within six hours, up from 63.5%.


These results reflect the efforts of our health workforce. Thank you.


New Zealand Health Survey


In November, the Ministry published the 2024/25 New Zealand Health Survey. It includes information about a range of topics across the health sector such as access to health services, alcohol use, vaping and smoking, mental health, nutrition and physical activity.


It is pleasing to note, the results show that most (86.6%) New Zealand adults consider themselves in good health, and nearly all children (97.5%) are in good health, according to their parent or caregiver. The survey also highlights reduced rates of hazardous drinking over time, and a significant decline in the number of smokers.


Since 2011 the New Zealand Health Survey results have been published annually, enabling us to monitor important health-related trends. This helps the Ministry, government agencies and the wider health sector plan and deliver health services, as well as providing the data to review our progress over time.


The findings are also published in the Annual Data Explorer web tool. This year it includes several new indicators, such as gout, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic pain and screen time for children. I encourage you to take a look and explore some of the data by group or region – there is plenty of fascinating information to be gleaned!


I want to thank the 12,058 New Zealanders who generously gave up their time to participate in the survey between July 2024 and July 2025.


New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine


The Government is also investing in new training pathways to further strengthen and grow our health workforces. One example of this is the establishment of the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Waikato which will train an additional 120 doctors each year from 2028.


I recently attended the ‘sod-turning’ ceremony for the medical school, a special event to mark an important milestone in strengthening New Zealand’s primary care workforce and improving access to healthcare, particularly in rural communities.


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Deputy Director-General Ruth Isaac, Minister of Health Hon Simeon Brown and Director-General of Health Audrey Sonerson at University of Waikato.


Alongside workforce investments, digital innovations, infrastructure investments, and regulatory changes are all helping deliver better health outcomes for New Zealanders now – and setting up the foundations for better health outcomes in the future.


Aged Care Advisory Group


New Zealand’s rapidly ageing population is reshaping the way we think about care, creating both challenges and opportunities for our communities and health system.

The Ministry of Health is supporting the Government to establish a new Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group to provide independent advice and recommendations on the aged care system.


This group will provide a report to the Minister of Health Hon Simeon Brown and Associate Minister of Health with responsibility for aged care Hon Casey Costello. This report will include a set of recommendations around three areas:


  • the funding model needed to support sustainable services, such as the supply of aged care beds

  • how the costs of providing aged care could be reasonably shared between those receiving care and the Government

  • possible changes to rules and contracts for aged care services in order to cut unnecessary paperwork, encourage new ideas, and make sure aged care works well with other health and disability support services.



Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Monitoring Report


On 1 December, World AIDS Day, the Minister for Mental Health Hon Matt Doocey launched New Zealand’s first HIV Monitoring Report. The report, published by the Ministry, outlines our progress toward the National HIV Action Plan and its goals for lowering HIV rates and improving outcomes by 2030.


Overall, the report highlighted progress in certain areas, such as a decrease in locally acquired HIV infections and a rise in the percentage of people receiving HIV treatment. Continued efforts are required to better support groups with the greatest need, including Māori.


The Ministry will continue to monitor and publish an annual report to ensure the health system makes progress on reducing the risk of acquiring HIV and improving the lives of people living with HIV.


Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome tools


The Ministry of Health has recently launched new tools, including an animation and lived-experience videos, to raise awareness of the risks associated with taking anti-seizure and mood stabilising medicines during pregnancy.


The Ministry worked with Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome New Zealand (FACSNZ) to help educate people about the importance of talking to their doctor about the medicines they take.


Foetal Anticonvulsant Syndrome (FACS) affects some babies who are exposed to anti-seizure or mood stabilising medicines during pregnancy. Babies with FACS are born with physical or developmental impairments, including spina bifida, heart defects, or cleft palate. The medicines can also cause developmental difficulties, including autism, ADHD, and other learning problems.


Please share these valuable resources with your networks.


Coming up in 2026


In the new year the Ministry of Health will continue to work to improve access to timely, high-quality health care for all New Zealanders. This includes progressing work on:


  • Medical Products Bill

  • Driving primary care changes – including work on prescription lengths and the new primary care access target  

  • Healthy Futures Amendment Bill

  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

  • Child and Youth Mental Health Study.


I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a safe and restful break. I look forward to working with you all in 2026.


Ngā mihi


Audrey


Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora🏠133 Molesworth Street, Thorndon✉ info@health.govt.nzℹ health.govt.nz



 
 
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