Health NZ - Counties Manukau

19/12/2025

A beautiful display of the festive spirit is on view outside Kidz First Hospital.

Christmas lights now adorn the crane that sits outside the hospital, bringing joy to patients and families staying there over the festive period.

After hearing Kidz First staff comment how great it would be to light up the crane for the kids, Aspec went ahead and made it happen.

Wayne Dawn, Service Manager at Kidz First Inpatients, expresses his gratitude for this gesture and says it means a great deal to our service.

“It shows us they are not just recladding our building; they are working in partnership with us to ensure we provide for our communities now, and in the future. A big thank you for this wonderful gesture.”

19/12/2025

’Tis the season to spread some joy! These photos from around our wards are certainly bringing some joy to patients, visitors and staff.

A big thank you to those who went above and beyond to bring smiles to those who are staying with us on Christmas.

Stayed tuned for the winners of our ward/area decoration competition.

17/12/2025

Heading to Samoa for Christmas or a holiday? Make sure you’re protected from measles.

Ensure you and your āiga have your measles immunisations before you fly and take proof of vaccination (digital is fine).

You can get this from your usual doctor or Pacific health provider, through Manage My Health/My Indici or call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 466 863.

Feeling unwell with fever or rash? Don’t travel, get medical advice first.

Keep measles out of Samoa. Keep your āiga safe.

16/12/2025

Great advice from Hato Hone St John for the BBQ and holiday season!

16/12/2025

Kidz First Children’s Hospital and Community Health held a moving re-dedication ceremony and prayer breakfast on Friday 6 December to mark 25 years since Kidz First Children's Hospital first opened its doors.

The ceremony, led by Mana Whenua, Jake Ratu, Kidz First Tikanga Lead, and Maaori Chaplains, Kiwi Taranaki and Denise Moko, involved a blessing and re-dedication of the building and its name.

Past and present staff attended the ceremony, paying tribute to the mahi of the incredible teams over the years, including the clinical care, innovations and research that have taken place across Kidz First over the last 25 years.

Since it first opened on 6 December 2000, the Hospital has been a hallmark of Paediatric care of peepi, tamariki and rangatahi in the Counties Manukau district.
Within it walls there have been celebrations, commiserations, hope and life-changing healthcare delivered to many.

As part of the ceremony, Kidz First unveiled its new purpose statement:
‘Tamariki Tuatahi – Te Rere Ngaatahi
Kidz First – Healthy Futures Together’

Kidz First Clinical Director Dr Richard Matsas says “Our new purpose statement reflects our dedication to whaanau centred-care and our continued commitment to providing excellent care to our community.”

Nettie Knetsch, who was General Manager at the time Kidz First Children’s Hospital opened, attended the celebration, and tells us that being part of the planning and building of Kidz First Children's Hospital was a privilege.

She felt honoured to be here 25 years later to celebrate this milestone and acknowledged the many staff who were involved in the planning and building of Kidz First, with many still working at Counties Manukau.

Roni Hamilton, Kidz First Acting General Manager, says it was a moving event.
“It gave us a moment to stop and reflect on all that has been accomplished at Kidz First. I’m incredibly proud of all our teams.”

10/12/2025

Middlemore Foundation is working with our Palliative Care and Breast Cancer Care nurses to deliver these stylish, practical bags and cushions to some of our patients.

These are not just any bags though – they offer dignity to patients allowing them to discreetly conceal their pain pumps or fluid containers.

The heart-shaped cushions have been specifically designed to be placed under the arm, providing comfort and support after breast and armpit surgery.

The square cushions provide comfort for patients recovering from procedures like bowel surgery.

“Sometimes breast and axillary surgery causes numbness and pain in the armpit and around the side of the chest. These lovely cushions act as a comforting rest. Patients sit up in bed hugging them and often feel very, very grateful to be given these thoughtful gifts,” explains Kath Taylor, Registered Nurse, Manukau Health Park.

These beautiful creations are made by the wonderful Middlemore Foundation volunteer knitters and sewers, who donate their time and materials to helping patients and the community.

“A big thank you for our super volunteers who create these wonderful items and help patients,” says Lyle Smith, Community Relationship Coordinator, Middlemore Foundation.

Tino pai (very good).

08/12/2025

We talked to Chloe and Karlee, who are both mental health nurses at Tiaho Mai, our adult mental health unit, about what they love about their jobs, why they find it rewarding and how they care for their patients.

Chloe is passionate about Te Whare Tapa Whaa – a Maaori model of healthcare which is based on the concept of a wharenui (meeting house).

This model is based around the dimensions of health (physical, mental, social and spiritual) with each being represented by one of the four walls of the wharenui. The four walls intertwine and connect to support holistic health and wellbeing.

"We use the Te Whare Tapa Whaa model of care, which fits well in the Tiaho Mai environment as it's about holistic care and truly seeing the person – what is important to them and what makes them who they are. It may be their culture, family, friends or even sports,” says Chloe.

You can use the Te Whare Tapa Whaa model in your own life to support your own health and wellbeing journey. Give it a go!

07/12/2025

🚨 Measles Update 07 Dec - Locations of Interest Identified

While there have been no new cases reported over the weekend, Health New Zealand is concerned about a number of locations of interest where people may have been exposed to measles and could now be infectious.

If you were present at any of the following places on the dates and times listed, you must call Healthline on 0800 611 116 urgently. You may be at risk of developing measles and spreading it to others:
➡️ BP Connect Richmond, Queen Street, Nelson: 16 November, 1:15PM – 2:15PM
➡️ Eagle Bar, Karangahape Road, Auckland: 29 November, 12:00AM – 2:30AM
➡️ Eagle Bar, Karangahape Road, Auckland: 30 November, 1:45AM – 3:55AM
➡️ G.A.Y Club, Karangahape Road, Auckland: 29 November, 1:15AM – 2:45AM
➡️ G.A.Y Club, Karangahape Road, Auckland: 30 November, 2:45AM – 4:25AM

If you were at these locations, attendees could now be infectious. Please stay at home and avoid contact with others until you’ve phoned Healthline and received advice.

📍 Locations of interest : https://info.health.nz/health-topics/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/measles/locations-of-interest

📲 If you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore eyes, or a rash, call Healthline 0800 611 116 immediately. Do not attend work, school, or social events.

05/12/2025

Kia mataara e te whānau - there's a new measles case today in Auckland, and new locations of interest.

Locations include the RÜFÜS DU SOL concert at Western Springs Stadium on 29 Nov, and at Auckland shopping malls.

Please take a look at the locations of interest, and follow our advice: https://info.health.nz/health-topics/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/measles/locations-of-interest

Two new measles cases confirmed - one in Queenstown and one in Auckland, both linked to known exposures. There are now 30 cases nationally, with 22 no longer infectious.

New locations of interest include:

1️⃣Two Bluebridge Connemara ferry sailings on 30 Nov (Wellington–Picton and return)
2️⃣RÜFÜS DU SOL concert at Western Springs Stadium on 29 Nov
Additional sites in Wellington and Auckland shopping malls

✅ Check the regularly updated locations of interest page
✅ Follow advice for close or casual contacts
✅ Monitor for symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes, rash starting on the face

Heading into the holiday season? Protect yourself and others:

Make sure you’ve had two doses of MMR vaccine
If you develop symptoms, stay home and call Healthline (0800 611 116) or your GP before visiting.

Travelling overseas? Check your immunisation status and allow time – it takes two weeks to develop immunity after a dose.

More info: info.health.nz/health-topics/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/measles/locations-of-interest

04/12/2025

Grey skies didn’t dampen the excitement as patients and staff headed off yesterday to Eden Park to join the world record attempt for the ‘Longest Moving Line of Wheelchairs’.

The Spinal Unit team often take patients out to community events and on trips, but this one was extra exciting with the world record attempt and a chance to meet many others in wheelchairs or with disabilities.

The event by I.Lead and YES Disability, in collaboration with Permobil and Eden Park, was a great way to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025.

Trips like these require careful planning and the team and patients work together like a well-oiled machine to make them happen.

Nina Benemerito, Senior Occupational Therapist, Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit, helped to organise the trip and says that although the record wasn’t beaten, the event went well, and they all had a grand time.

“The event was well attended by many communities from the disability sector. There was even a free sausage sizzle and a DJ set afterwards to celebrate. We all had a great time attempting to beat the record and even completed 11 mins of a wheelchair congo line!”

03/12/2025

Five new measles cases have been confirmed today – one in Dunedin, three in Auckland and one in Waikato. The number of known measles cases nationally since 8 October is now 27.

📍 Auckland Airport Domestic Terminal has been identified as a location of interest, on 26 November, 6.40pm to 8.10pm. If you were there at these times follow the advice at: http://spr.ly/61897v6H1

🛑 Measles spreads *very easily*. If you're feeling unwell, stay home and call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
💙 Immunisation is your best protection. Two doses of the MMR vaccine protect 99% of people.
🔵 Booking options for getting a vaccine can be found on this page: info.health.nz/immunisations/booking-a-vaccine

✅ No appointment? No problem! Many clinics and some pharmacies offer walk-in vaccinations.

🔍 Symptoms to watch for: high fever / cough, runny nose, sore red eyes / rash starting on the face, spreading down the body.

📞 Suspect measles? If you plan to visit a doctor's clinic, or urgent care, please make sure you call ahead before visiting. This enables the clinic to prepare and take the right precautions to protect others from catching measles.

More info: http://spr.ly/61887v6HE

02/12/2025

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD) is observed annually on 3 December and is a global initiative. In New Zealand, it is a day dedicated to promoting awareness, understanding, and inclusion for the more than 1.1 million taangata whaikaha (disabled people) across Aotearoa.

Why it matters for Counties Manukau
As one of the most diverse districts in the country, Counties Manukau is home to a large community of taangata whaikaha and whaanau who interact with our services every day. Our workforce also includes many disabled kaimahi whose lived experiences contribute meaningfully to the quality and compassion of the care we provide.
Recognising IDPwD aligns directly with our commitment to improving equity, enhancing accessibility, and delivering care that is responsive to the needs of all people in our community. As a major regional health provider, we play a crucial role in shaping inclusive environments – both for our patients and our staff.