Health Accelerator has partnered with PenTest NZ to offer general practices a 25 per cent discount on an independent cyber security assessment — around $1,000 off for most practices. With increased scrutiny following recent primary care cyber incidents, this is a practical way to identify risks and demonstrate responsible cyber risk management. The discount is available until 31 July 2026.

Taranaki now has a dedicated sexual health contact tracer. Rose Heron is based at the Sexual Health Clinic on Powderham Street and is available to support free follow-up for patients who have tested positive for STIs and consented to contact. Referrals are welcome via email.

Te Whatu Ora is surveying health professionals across aged residential care, general practice, ambulance, community, and hospital settings about their confidence in providing palliative and end-of-life care. Your experiences will help identify workforce strengths, gaps, and priorities for future education and support. The survey is open until Friday 1 May 2026.

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners supports research and education that benefits general practice, rural general practice and rural hospital medicine through three funding rounds each year. Applications for the second funding round of 2026 open 22 April.

The age for free breast screening is being extended - starting with women who turned 70 and 74 from 1 October 2025. The age range will continue to be extended each year in October, to include all eligible women up to the age of 74 by the end of 2029.

New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) is hosting a series of webinars for the benefit of primary care.

Due to strong interest from practices, the Health Accelerator special pricing offer with Heidi has been extended for one month.

Two free online courses are coming up for health professionals wanting to strengthen their diabetes management skills. The 16-week Advanced Diabetes Management course starts 11 May, with a 3-week refresher following in September, both offering CME credits and expert-led learning. Register via the Aotearoa Diabetes Collective website.

Te Whatu Ora is asking all practices to complete a brief survey on nurses' IV cannulation, infusion, CVAD, and port access skills. They're requesting one response per practice, by 2 April. This national stocktake will help shape how oncology and infusion services are delivered closer to home for patients and whānau.

Free bowel screening is now available from age 58 across most of Aotearoa New Zealand, including the Te Manawa Taki region. Around 100,000 more people will become eligible in the first year. Find out what's changed and how general practice can support the rollout.