Health NZ - Counties Manukau

09/06/2026

If you see or suspect illegal to***co sales, report it. Visit: www.healthnz.govt.nz/TellUs

05/06/2026

Cutting through the noise to keep babies safe - on National Safe Sleep Day, Counties Manukau SUDI prevention coordinator Judith Johnston Niuelua is shining a light on the importance of clear, trusted advice for whaanau.

With compassion and experience, Judith reminds us that simple, evidence-based steps - like placing babies on their backs to sleep, giving them their own safe space, and keeping up with immunisations - can save lives.

Her message is powerful: keeping babies safe is a shared responsibility. Together, with clearer conversations and stronger support, we can protect our most vulnerable. 👶🎉💓

04/06/2026

Helping children breathe: Starship pioneer receives knighthood. For Sir Paul Andrew Baker, a lifetime spent caring for children has always been guided by one simple goal - helping them breathe safely.

The former Starship paediatric anaesthetist received the news of his Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to health far from home in London. He’s there with his wife
ahead of speaking to an airways workshop at Guy’s Hospital.

“We celebrated with family in London while the rest of our children and grandchildren celebrated in Auckland,” he says.

This moment has been many years in the making. It’s a journey that began in 1991, when Starship Children’s Hospital first opened its doors.

Over the next 30 years, Sir Paul helped shape paediatric anaesthesia in New Zealand, always focused on practical improvements: better equipment, safer oxygen use, and stronger recovery care.

“It was always about improving patient care in ways that made a real difference,” he says. “And it was incredibly rewarding to see those changes put into practice.”

But behind the clinical work is something more personal. A father of four and grandfather of seven, Sir Paul says being a parent helped him understand the fear families feel when a child is unwell.

“It gave me a deep appreciation of how parents experience those moments,” he reflects. “It helped me connect, not just with the children but with their whānau.”

Across thousands of cases, it’s the courage of children and their families that has stayed with him. One moment in particular stands out. He talks about a time when a baby was diagnosed before birth with a life-threatening airway condition. A team of 26 specialists came together to perform a rare and complex procedure, securing the baby’s airway while still connected to the placenta.

“That child is now a healthy young adult,” Sir Paul says. “It was a powerful reminder of what teamwork can achieve.”

Now, even having retired from Starship two years ago, his commitment hasn’t slowed.

He remains deeply optimistic about the future, pointing to advances in technology, education, and a nationwide network of airway specialists working together to improve patient safety.

Receiving a King’s Honour, he says, is not just a personal milestone. “I hope it shines a light on anaesthesia and airway management - areas that play such a vital role in patient care.” Congratulations 👏🎉🎉

04/06/2026

Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats are back for 2026! And the Manukau Final is happening today!

Through music, creativity and performance, Smokefreerockquest encourages young people to protect their breath, strengthen their wellbeing and perform at their best. Health New Zealand is proud to continue its 36-year sponsorship of this event, backing young talent across New Zealand.

Get your ticket to the regional final and learn more at: https://www.rqp.co.nz/rockquest/dates-tickets

03/06/2026

Did you know that, from October 2025, the age for bowel screening was lowered to 58?

People in the Northern Region aged 58 to 74 who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare are mailed a free bowel screening kit every two years.

If you have your bowel screening kit at home, this is your reminder!

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Aotearoa New Zealand, but when it’s found early, treatment is much more effective.

Check out this video about the changes to the bowel screening age and what it means for you.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

02/06/2026

We’re celebrating the new Manukau Health Park West Building theatre complex, which opened on Friday 29 May. The complex includes four new operating theatres, 18 post-anaesthesia recovery spaces and a new Central Sterile Services department.

This exciting development will mean more people in South Auckland can access the care they need, closer to home.

🎉🏥👏

01/06/2026

“Greetings, my name is Eapeisi Tanumafili Taito-Ah Chong and I am a nurse from the Pacific Health team here at Middlemore Hospital.

“I take this opportunity to humbly voice the importance and value of the flu vaccine.

“This vaccination plays a vital role in maintaining our health and wellbeing. This sincere message aligns with the ancestral wisdom of the nation, which reminds us that ’prevention is better than cure’. With my greatest respect. Farewell.”

In Samoan: “Talofa lava, o lo’u igoa o Eapeisi Tanumafili Taito-Ah Chong ma o a’u o se tasi o tausi soifua mo le auaunaga mo tagata Pasefika i Middlemore Hospital.
“Avea ia lenei avanoa, ma se leo fa’atauva’a e molimoli atu ai le feau taua o le amanaiaina o le tui puipui o le fulu.

“E taua tele lenei tui aua le tausiga o le tatou soifua maloloina, aua e moni lava upu o le atunu’u ’e sili le puipuia nai lo le togafitia’. Ma lo’u fa’aaloalo lava, Soifua.”

01/06/2026

Samoa Language Week, Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa, runs from 31 May to 6 June 2026.

The 2026 theme for Samoa Language Week is "‘E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le 'nu'u - From the high mountains are the blessings of the village."

Some of our lovely Samoan colleagues wanted to wish you a Happy Samoan Language Week.

28/05/2026

Our Living Smokefree Service and van also joined in Te Rito Ora’s Whaanau Hauora Day.

Hannah Rewiri and Joshua Alderton are Smokefree promoters who work out and about in the community.

Hannah says they had a great day of connection and koorero with the Manurewa community, sharing their mahi and supporting people to take the first step in becoming smokefree.

“These Te Rito Ora Whaanau Hauora Days give us the opportunity to hear from our community about how our service can best support them, while also giving whaanau the chance to paatai and learn more about our smokefree support.

If you are thinking about stopping smoking, call 0800 569 568 or TXT 'NOW' to 590

27/05/2026

Auckland Regional Dental Service Outreach Team were all smiles at the Te Rito Ora’s Whaanau Hauora Day, pulling up with their bright, colourful dental bus.

The service provides free general dental care from birth until Year 8 for eligible children in the Auckland Region.

The Outreach team get out and about in the community to do free dental checks.

Moka Toimata-Hadjmahfoud says she really enjoys attending these days and talking with people in the community about their dental health.

“I love my job with the Outreach team and the engagement with our community. Our Outreach team has such a special and unique holding space for our whaanau,” says Moka, pictured here with Health NZ Chief Executive Dr Dale Bramley, and Dr Richard Sullivan, Health NZ Executive National Director – Clinical.