Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall

A vaccine for people at risk of mpox (Monkeypox) will be available if prescribed by a medical practitioner to people who meet eligibility criteria from Monday 16 January.

The Government is seeking feedback on measures to help reduce the number of young people vaping.

The Government is reiterating its advice to all international travellers to do a Covid test if they become symptomatic after arrival, while also stepping up awareness of free RATs available at airports.

Make sure you’re prepared for if you get COVID-19 while on holiday so we can all enjoy a safe as summer, COVID-19 Response Minister Ayesha Verrall said.

Today will go down in history as the day the Government guaranteed a healthier, smokefree future for the next generation of New Zealanders, Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall says.  

The Government has set the direction for a future-focused science system says Research, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall.

Some of the country’s most difficult health issues will be tackled by a newly established public health advisory committee, whose members have now been appointed.

Statistics released today show New Zealand’s smoking rate has fallen to an historic low of 8% of adults smoking daily, down from 9.4% a year ago.

Over a hundred new research projects will be funded over the next three years, supporting researchers to explore new ideas.

The Government has launched a new telehealth service today that will see women in their first 10 weeks of pregnancy able to access medication for an early medical abortion over the phone.

The European Commission and New Zealand Government have reached an important milestone in their discussions on deeper science collaboration, with the formal negotiations for New Zealand to join

Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall will depart for Europe and Singapore tomorrow to attend global cancer and mental health meetings and building research, science and innovation connections with the European Union.

The Government’s Budget 2022 investment of $10.1 million over four years in maternal mental health will result in better and more widely available care for new and expectant mothers around the country.

More than 31,000 children, pregnant people and 111,000 of their family members are warmer and healthier thanks to the Healthy Homes Initiative according to the latest three-year evaluation report released today.

The COVID-19 Protection Framework, also known as the traffic light system, will be removed from 11.59pm tonight, Monday 12 September, so all New Zealanders can continue to move forward with certainty.

The Government has announced funding for 71 scientific research projects that seek to address some of our biggest challenges such as climate change.

Researchers from across New Zealand have received funding to undertake research into the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and future pandemic responses.

New Zealand’s aerospace sector will be strengthened with the launch of the Government’s new Aerospace Strategy at the inaugural New Zealand Aerospace Summit in Christchurch.

New appointments have been made to the Strategic COVID-19 Public Health Advisory Group as well as extending the term of the group until December.

Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall has today announced the Government has secured monkeypox (MPX) medicine tecovirimat which is expected to be available in New Zealand from late September.

The Government is helping business to succeed with the Research and Development Tax Incentive supporting an excess of $1 billion in research and development activity in New Zealand.