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.

University of Waikato researchers are seeking primary, community, and rural nurses who worked in Tairāwhiti during Cyclone Hale and/or Cyclone Gabrielle to share their experiences in a confidential one-on-one interview. Your insights will contribute to future disaster response, practice, education, and policy.

A few updates from the Waikato Primary Mental Health team: Dr Tony Muller is on leave 22–26 June; adults aged 65 and over become eligible for Packages of Care through the Primary Mental Health brief intervention, counselling and psychology services from 1 July; and a GP Satisfaction Survey is on its way. Please also remember to check patients' telehealth capacity before submitting referrals, it makes a real difference to wait times and access.

Toni Muller, mental health nurse and triage clinician, is offering monthly clinical supervision to practice nurses. This will be a confidential, supportive space to discuss complex cases, reflect on practice, and grow your mental health knowledge. Sessions run for one hour via Teams; individual supervision can also be arranged.