Health NZ - Tairāwhiti

19/08/2026

Need care, but it's not an emergency?

If your health concern isn't life-threatening, there may be options that can help you get advice or treatment sooner than waiting in the Emergency Department (ED).

✅ Your GP or practice nurse
✅ Online GP (free for children under 14, subsidised for adults with a Community Services Card)
✅ Urgent care clinics
✅ Your local pharmacist, Some treatments are now funded through Extended Pharmacy Services for eligible people, at participating pharmacies
✅ Ka Ora Telecare for after-hours care in rural areas

Not sure where to start? Call Healthline on 0800 611 116. It's free, available 24/7, and can help guide you to the right service.

Learn more about your healthcare options at healthnz.govt.nz/GetHelp

In an emergency, always call 111 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

18/08/2026

Need healthcare but not sure where to start?

If it's an emergency, the Emergency Department (ED) is the right place. But for many everyday health concerns, there may be other options that can help you sooner.

💻 Online GP (now FREE for under 14s)
📞 Healthline: 0800 611 116. There is a callback service if you don't want to wait on hold.
🏥 Urgent Care and After Hours clinics.
💊 Your local pharmacy. Under the Extended Pharmacy Service, some treatments are now free or lower cost. Call your local to find out.

ED teams prioritise the most seriously unwell patients first, so if your situation isn't an emergency, you may face a long wait.

Find the right care for your needs at healthnz.govt.nz/GetHelp

12/08/2026

Feeling unwell or hurt and can't see your usual doctor?

The Emergency Department (ED) isn’t always the best place for every situation, but it’s exactly where to go in an emergency.

Swipe through to find the right care for you.

Visit healthnz.govt.nz/GetHelp to find the right healthcare for your specific needs.

11/08/2026

15/07/2026

Mental Health Minister, Matt Doocey, has officially opened Gisborne’s new Crisis Recovery Café.

Te Kāuta café will be delivered by Te Kupenga Net Trust, which was established in 1995 to deliver support to people in the Tairāwhiti region.

“From today, people will be able to go to the café and talk to people with their own experience of recovery. This is a safe place for people experiencing mental health and addiction challenges to go for support that will also better connect them with the community services they may need,” Mr Doocey says.

“Wraparound support makes a real difference. Having someone who can connect people with longer-term support can help them feel less overwhelmed.

“The feedback from people has been clear. Sitting in a brightly lit, busy emergency department is not the best environment to be in when experiencing mental distress. That’s why we are rolling out eight new Crisis Recovery Cafés across the country, offering an alternative, non-clinical space where people can go for support.”

Located at 116 Gladstone Rd near Bright St, the café will initially operate Monday to Friday, from 7am to 3pm. No referral to the cafe is needed, people in need can simply show up when they need support, the Minister said.

“It has been heartening to hear the positive feedback about the peer support roles. One story that has stayed with me was from a worker reflecting on her own experience. She told me peer support services are exactly what she wishes she had when she was struggling, someone who could say, ‘I see you, I hear you, I know what you’re going through.’

“That’s exactly why we are making better use of peer support workers in a range of settings, including emergency departments, eating disorder services, maternal mental health services and inpatient settings,” Mr Doocey said.

02/07/2026

Are you looking at moving into a flat, boarding school or uni hall next year? Meningococcal bacteria is a common bacteria that can live in the back of the nose and throat of healthy people. Up to 1 in 3 people may carry it without getting sick. However, being in close contact or living closely together with someone who carries the bacteria can increase your chance of getting really sick.

The great news is you can reduce your risk of getting and passing on meningococcal disease by getting the meningococcal vaccine. It’s free for:
✅ tamariki under 5 years, and
✅ rangatahi aged 13 to 25 years in their first year of close-living situations.

To protect your friends and whānau now and into the future pop into Kōwhai House, 259 Palmerston Road, Gisborne. Their open:
🟡 9 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday
🟡 9 am – 1pm, Saturday.

No bookings needed. Pātai and kōrero always welcome.

24/06/2026

Scabies is a tiny mite that causes a very big itch! There have been reports of scabies around recently, so it's important to know the signs and how to treat it properly.

The main symptom to look out for is an itchy rash that mostly affects the arms, legs and torso. Have one already? See your healthcare provider so they can check for scabies or other conditions.

If scabies is confirmed, it can be easily treated with these steps:

✅ Treat it with a cream to kill the mites (pharmacies may offer subsidised advice and treatment)

✅ Treat everyone in your household at the same time

✅ Treat clothing and bedding in a hot wash or dryer; or by freezing or bagging

✅ Vacuum carpets, mats and sofas

✅ Remember to treat car seats too.

To make sure you get rid of the scabies mites completely, see more detailed info on how to treat them: http://spr.ly/6183BDepsc

21/06/2026

Not every sniffle needs a cancellation 🤧

Moderate illness, like a cold, runny nose, or mild fever, is usually not a reason to delay childhood immunisations. If you're unsure, give your vaccinator a call before cancelling. Staying on schedule helps keep children protected from preventable diseases 💙

16/06/2026

Korowai gifted to Tairāwhiti neo-natal unit
Our neo-natal unit is deeply honoured to receive this korowai made by whānau on the east coast in Te Araroa and gifted by 2nd year nursing student (and future Registered Nurse), Kirsten Aben.
A korowai is an expression of whakapapa (lineage) representing the people who wove it, our tipuna who pattern it carries, and the people who wear it stepping into their place, says Kirsten.
“The korowai is woven by many hands, many threads, and many stories, just as there have been many hands in the care of our pēpi,” says Kirsten.
“It symbolises the idea that individual strength comes from a collective contribution.”
This gift reflects the relationships built within our neonatal unit and the shared commitment to nurturing and supporting pēpi, whānau, students, and one another, says Lianne Hollis, Tairāwhiti Associate Charge Nurse Manager Neo Natal Unit.
“We are humbled that Kirsten’s experience within our team inspired such a meaningful gesture,” says Lianne.
“The korowai will serve as a lasting reminder of the privilege we have in teaching, mentoring, and learning alongside future nurses. It represents the values of compassion, respect, whakawhanaugatanga, and excellence that underpin our practice everyday.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks for this treasured gift.”
Caption left to right: Jeena Rajan, Lianne Hollis, Rose Pelagio (holding Graham) Lihonna Downes (twins mum) Lydia Van Zyl (holding Russell)
At back: 2nd year nursing student Kirsten Aben

11/06/2026

Meet two of the incredible wāhine supporting our community 💛Anita (Kaiāwhina) and Caro (Immunisation Nurse) support local whānau access immunisations in ways that work for them.

They’re also part of the team providing free immunisations for pēpi, tamariki, rangatahi and hapū māmā at Kōwhai House every:
💛 Saturday (8.30am–1.30pm)
💛 Monday - Friday (9am - 4.00pm)

If you or your whānau are due for immunisations, or you’ve got pātai or aren’t sure, nau mai, haere mai to Kōwhai House 📍 295 Palmerston Road, Gisborne. ✨ Plus, just by walking through the door, you’ll go in the draw to win a kai hamper.