Health NZ - Counties Manukau

19/02/2026

Don’t do your cervix a disservice! Try the easy HPV self-test

Regular cervical screening, along with HPV immunisation, is one of the best ways to protect against cervical cancer.

Since September 2023, over 730,000 people have been screened, with 81% choosing self testing since its introduction. Miharo (awesome).

For us here in the Northern region, if we compare the numbers from December 2023 (just after the HPV self-test was launched), to December 2025 we can clearly see the growth - Maaori have grown from 55% to 68%, Pacific 57% to 76%, and Asian 53% to 61%.

It is great to see screening rates increasing and it’s a true testament to the hard work of staff and people in our community.

Janice Miller, Team Lead, Screening Support Services, Counties Manukau says this is a really positive result and her team have been working hard to spread the word and get people tested.

She says it is encouraging for the Counties Manukau area which has large Maaori, Pacific and Asian communities and she hopes screening numbers will continue to increase with the self-test now a popular option.

“The self-test is much quicker and less invasive making it easier for patients and it has been really encouraging to hear this feedback from many waahine we see and talk to both in clinic and out in the community,” she says.

“Booking one is straightforward too. You can book an appointment with your GP practice or find a provider by calling 0800 729 729.

“Have a chat with them and choose the testing option that is best for you – for most, the self-test is available. Your provider will provide a private space for you to do this quick and easy test after talking you through how to do it.”

Great work waahine!

17/02/2026

Ramadan is an important occasion and celebration observed by Muslims, and is expected to begin on 19 or 20 February (depending on moon sighting).

Many observe Ramadan with daily fasting from dawn to sunset, which includes abstaining from food, fluids, and often oral medications.

Islam does provide exemptions from fasting due to illness, pregnancy and mothers who are breast feeding.

Fasting can affect your medications and medical conditions. Please talk to your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider before you start fasting so they can review your medications and make any necessary adjustments to help you stay safe.

A Happy Ramadan to everyone who is celebrating and observing Ramadan.

16/02/2026

The Waka Ama Nationals were held earlier this year. One of the displays at this great event was the Future Surgeons stand which gave tamariki and rangatahi a chance to explore, learn and get inspired towards a career in medicine. Great mahi!

02/02/2026

02/02/2026

Dengue fever - symptoms 🦟

Dengue is on the rise in parts of the Pacific Islands.

Many people with dengue have no symptoms at all, or only feel mildly unwell.

If symptoms do appear, they usually start 3 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and can last 2 to 7 days.

Common symptoms include:
✅ sudden high temperature (fever)
✅ intense headache
✅ pain behind the eyes
✅ muscle and joint pain
✅ feeling very tired
✅ nausea or vomiting
✅ a fine, itchy rash (often starting on the arms and legs, but not the palms or soles).

Some people experience severe muscle and bone pain.

⚠️ Warning signs of severe dengue

A few people may develop severe dengue within 2 to 5 days of symptoms starting. Your condition can worsen quickly, even if the fever seems to be improving.

Anyone with symptoms of severe dengue needs hospital care, as it can be life-threatening.

30/01/2026

✈️ Heading to the Pacific? Dengue cases are rising in many countries, including Samoa, American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu. The Cook Islands has been very hard hit, and more travellers are returning to NZ with dengue.

🦟 Dengue is spread by mosquitoes (not people), and there’s no vaccine available here.

Protect yourself: wear repellent with DEET, cover up, stay somewhere with screens or nets, and avoid areas with standing water.

If you get symptoms like fever, headache, eye pain, muscle aches, nausea or a fine rash, seek medical advice quickly.

Find out more: http://spr.ly/6183hDlEl

23/01/2026

Counties Manukau was honoured to host the inaugural Northern Region Supported First Year of Practice (SFYP) event on Wednesday 21 January.

As is the Counties way, we offered a warm welcome and opened the event with a poowhiri welcoming around 80 graduate nurses from across the region, including Te Tai Tokerau, along with chief nurses, Maaori nurse leads, and other support kaimahi.

The event brings the Northern region together under a new aligned framework which includes local and regional education days for these graduate nurses starting out in their careers.

Dr. Vanessa Thornton, Group Director of Operations, Counties Manukau, and Nadine Gray, Chief Nurse, Health New Zealand, welcomed the new nurses, each delivering inspirational speeches and sharing their aspirations for the year ahead.

“You are joining a profession built on teamwork, integrity and compassion. We are proud to welcome you into our nursing family and excited to see the impact you will make,” said Dr Vanessa Thornton.

15/01/2026

This story with Dame Karen Poutasi was written as part of Middlemore Hospital’s 75th anniversary. We share this with you again in tribute to Dame Karen Poutasi and her connection she had to Middlemore Hospital.

A passion for Middlemore Hospital

In 1985, while on fellowship at Harvard studying for her masters in Health Services, Dr Karen Poutasi flew back to New Zealand for a whirlwind visit to interview for what was to be her next role – Medical Superintendent at Middlemore Hospital.

Dr Poutasi says: "I was looking to take the next step in my career and was attracted to Middlemore because it had a reputation for being really committed to the needs of the population – and that's still true to this day."

"My extended family is Samoan, so I have a strong affiliation with the needs of South Auckland, and the Medical Superintendent role at Middlemore epitomised that."

In the two years she held the role, from 1985 to 1987, Dr Poutasi has many strong memories and achievements, including a string of "firsts", including the establishment of an outpatient clinic for children.

"That was a big thing. Before that, our South Auckland families frequently travelled to Auckland city with their tamariki. Being able to receive substantial outpatient services locally was absolutely essential for the community."

During her time in Boston studying at Harvard, Dr Poutasi observed that day-stay surgery was a successful way to manage many minor operations.

In 1980s New Zealand, operations required at least an overnight stay. Dr Poutasi says, "I saw day stay surgery working very well in Boston and thought, why not here too?"

Dr Poutasi and her team got stuck in making day-stay surgery at Middlemore a reality.

"There was a bit of scrambling to get everything up to scratch for opening day, but we got there, thanks to the staff at Middlemore willing to be at the forefront of change".

Dr Poutasi found the biggest challenge was getting everyone – the community, patients, and staff to understand that day-stay surgery was safe and effective – something we wouldn't give a second thought to today!

As a first step into diversity, Dr Poutasi was also very proud to appoint the first Cultural Advisor so that the needs of the population could better be served. In a fitting twist, the Pacific Health team is now located in Middlemore Hospital's Poutasi Link corridor, named in her honour.

Dr Poutasi's son Api – affectionately known as "the Middlemore baby" – was born at the hospital. As the family lived on hospital grounds, Api was often ferried between the home and Dr Poutasi's office, even leaving his legacy through some toddler scribbles on the Medical Superintendent's office wall.

In 1987, when Dr Poutasi left her role at Middlemore, she was presented a gift of Tukutuku panels framed in wood from an old hospital building that had been demolished.

"This generous and thoughtful gift reflected the staff and teams there. Nothing could be nicer for me as a going away gift.

"What I loved about Middlemore was the staff's unswerving focus on the local community and a willingness to be at the forefront of change – which is still true 35 years later."

15/01/2026

Pregnant or have a peepi under two?

If you need support with feeding your little one, the Te Rito Ora Community Breastfeeding and Infant Nutrition service is here for you.

Our friendly team offers personalised, clinic-based appointments to help with breastfeeding, starting solids, and infant nutrition.

This clinic operates every Thursday at the Pukekohe Birthing Unit, from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins may be available. Please call or email first to check availability.

For availability or to book, email cm-terito.ora@tewhatuora.govt.nz or call 0800 HELP BF.

14/01/2026

In early January, we sadly learnt of Dame Karen Poutasi’s passing on 1 January 2026.

We want to pay further tribute to Karen, celebrating her relationship and contributions to Health NZ Counties Manukau (previously Counties Manukau Health).

Karen was the medical superintendent of Middlemore Hospital from 1985 to 1987. She had a special connection with our community and our people.

Karen deeply understood the unique needs of our district and championed better health outcomes for our population. She was loved and admired by many here at Health NZ Counties Manukau.

This relationship was recognised by the naming of Middlemore Hospital’s Poutasi Link in her honour – a lasting acknowledgement of her impact and advocacy.

On the 75th birthday of Middlemore Hospital, we interviewed Karen as part of the celebration, in which she talked of her passion for Middlemore Hospital and stated, "What I loved about Middlemore was the staff's unswerving focus on the local community and a willingness to be at the forefront of change – which is still true 35 years later."

She will be missed.

Our sincere condolences to Dame Karen’s whaanau. Our thoughts are with them, and with all our people who worked alongside her or were influenced by her remarkable contributions.

08/01/2026

When Kaushik Chandramouli, Feedback Central Manager, moved to New Zealand in 2013, he was drawn by the scenic beauty and the work-life balance that enabled him to pursue his passion for riding alongside his work.

After settling and studying, Kaushik received his masters in Health Sciences from the University of Auckland. He then started looking for a role he could really sink his teeth into, which is ironic considering his previous career.

Having been a dentist back in India, Kaushik knew a lot about patient care and experience, and he wanted to bring that experience to a healthcare role. He joined Counties Manukau in 2017 as the clinical quality co-ordinator in the Patient Safety, Quality and Assurance team.

He then moved to a quality liaison role with Feedback Central, who manage our complaints and compliments process, and into the manager role from there.

“I have always had a desire to ensure the best outcomes for patients. As a dentist, I learnt a lot about quality control and safe practices, and I wanted to use that experience in a role where I could help bring improvements and change.

“It is a busy role, and to de-stress after work, I love to get out and ride. It gives me a sense of freedom and a mental reset after a challenging day.

In early December, Kaushik headed off on a 1,200 km round-trip with a group of friends, riding from Auckland all the way to Gisborne and back.

“The ride was a mix of raw road, open landscapes, rain-soaked adventure and good banter.
“We came back tired but richer: richer in experience and great stories. When you love something, you are richer for it!” he says.

07/01/2026

Congratulations to Isabella Smart, Midwife Manager, Counties Manukau, who was awarded the Robyn Carr Cup during Digital Health Week 2025.

This award was established in 2010 to recognise sustained support of nursing informatics in New Zealand and to continue Robyn Carr’s pioneering legacy.

Isabella received the award for her digital maternity developments at Counties Manukau.

“I feel very honoured by this recognition of my work in creating and advancing digital midwifery. It has only been possible through the support and efforts of my midwifery staff and enthusiastic colleagues at Counties Manukau who have enabled my ideas to grow into operational digital realities.

“All of the advances are aimed at improving access to quality maternity healthcare alongside offering sustainable flexible employment opportunities for midwives,” says Isabella.

The nomination describes Isabella as a highly respected leader in clinical informatics, possessing a strong clinical background and a passion for technology.

It states that Isabella has consistently demonstrated how data, systems, and human-centred design can be combined to improve patient outcomes and strengthen health system resilience.

“Her work exemplifies the transformative role of informatics in rehumanising healthcare–using technology not as an end in itself but as a means to create safer, smarter, and more compassionate systems of care.”

Ka pai!