Due to a global shortage of Bicillin L-A, Te Whatu Ora | Health NZ is recommending Benzetacil as the alternative for most patients aged 14 years and over requiring rheumatic fever prophylaxis or syphilis treatment. Please order Benzetacil and 1% lidocaine diluent, reserve remaining Bicillin for priority groups, and refer to the clinical guidance before making the transition.

The recording of the recent Te Whatu Ora | Health NZ Information Sharing and Security Awareness webinar is now available, alongside a new resource hub featuring practical guidance, quick reference guides and e-learning resources. Visit the webpage to access the webinar recording and support your team's information sharing and cyber security practices.

From July 2026, capitation payments will reflect updated re-weighting factors agreed through the PSAAP funding offer, better aligning funding with patient need. Practices will continue to receive remittance advice through the Practice Portal, however demographic breakdowns will no longer be included in the capitation spreadsheet. If you have questions about your monthly capitation payments or require further detail about your capitation dataset, please contact the Practice Support team.

A new free online course from Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand is available to help health professionals better support new staff, graduates and students as they join the workforce and settle into their roles. Tuakana-Teina: He Ara Kitea, He Ara Ora – Making the way clear, supporting new staff to thrive is suitable for both clinical and non-clinical staff. It explores tuakana-teina principles, interprofessional collaboration and practical ways to create positive workplace experiences.

General practices no longer need to undertake breast screening recalls for eligible patients. Invitations and recalls are now managed centrally through Te Puna. Please continue encouraging eligible patients to attend screening and refer patients with breast symptoms for diagnostic assessment.

Winter often sees childhood immunisation appointments postponed because tamariki have a mild illness or whānau are concerned about spending time in waiting rooms with other unwell people. Te Whatu ora Health New Zealand is reminding practices that a mild illness, such as a cough, cold or low-grade fever, is usually not a reason to delay immunisation.

Te Whatu ora Health New Zealand has issued a public health advisory following the detection of HPAI H5N1 in migratory wild birds in southern Australia. While the risk to New Zealand remains low, the advisory outlines testing criteria, notification requirements and key actions for healthcare professionals.

From 1 July 2026, registration fees will be reintroduced for many IMAC vaccinator training courses. This is a return to IMAC's business-as-usual model, following the end of temporary funding from Te Whatu Ora that had enabled full fee subsidies.

Te Whatu Ora is alerting clinicians to a continued rapid rise in HIV diagnoses in Fiji, with 2,013 new cases reported in 2025, up from 245 in 2022. Cases linked to the Fiji outbreak have been reported in Aotearoa New Zealand.