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Counties Manukau Health provides health and disability services to over 500,000 people. We care about achieving health equity for our community.

Together, the Counties Manukau health system will work with others to achieve equity in key health indicators for Maaori, Pacific and communities with health disparities by 2020. We will measure the impact we have on healthy life years every year. This is our commitment to act and be deliberate in our choices and priorities. This means that people will live longer healthier lives in the community. This is a place to discuss CM Health - our initiatives, services, culture, and news – and to foster our growing online community and for you to share your views. We welcome you to leave comments, images, videos and links and to share our content. We understand that many people are passionate about healthcare – a passion we share. We expect that participants post content and commentary that is constructive, relevant and respectful - and reserve the right to moderate any posts that don’t meet our terms of use and to exclude anyone who violates them. The following terms of use are in place to promote a quality online environment for people that engage with us online. We do not tolerate the following content:
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• Any content which breaches the confidentiality of our patients, their relatives, staff or other individuals. If you would like to share your experience of our services we recommend contacting our customer service team on [email protected]. If you would like to complain about content you have seen on this page please send us a direct message via Facebook or Twitter and we will respond within 48 hours. Postings or external links to our page do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CM Health.

25/10/2026

Our Fracture Liaison Service got together on 20 October to raise awareness of World Osteoporosis Day, running an education stand at Middlemore Hospital.

It was a great chance for the team to engage with staff and public about the importance of bone health, osteoporosis and falls prevention.

Osteoporosis can affect anyone, often without warning. Early detection, healthy lifestyle choices, and appropriate treatment can help reduce fracture risk and keep our bones strong.

Love your bones, protect your future!

Remember: Osteoporosis can be silent until a fracture occurs. Prevention starts early, and it's never too late to care for your bones
Stay active: Do weight-bearing exercise and strength training regularly.
Get enough calcium and vitamin D: Support healthy bones through a balanced diet and safe sunlight exposure.
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol: Protect your bone health.
Prevent falls: Wear supportive footwear and keep your home free of trip hazards.

22/10/2026

With pups as gorgeous as this, we wanted to jump in on the NZ Police with our own version of Fluffy Friday!

Pups Pearl and Chyna are the new furbabies of Rob, our Groundsperson at Middlemore Hospital.
He popped along on his time off, along with his partner, to show off his four-month-old super adorable balls of fluff.

Rob has worked at Health NZ for seven years and is known for playing his great tunes while he tends to the gardens.

“I grew up in this area and my mum opened the post office at Middlemore Hospital, which was in the old entrance. My first job was sorting mail there.

“Middlemore was my stomping ground as a kid, and I’ve seen it change and grow a lot over the years.
“I also had a motorbike accident years ago and was a patient here. I learnt to walk after the crash in the physio pool that used to be near the main reception.

“I have many memories of Middlemore Hospital – and that is why I enjoy working here and making our gardens look as good as possible for staff and patients. It is kind of like being home and it’s important to keep the grounds looking their best – rain or shine!”

A big thanks to Rob and everyone involved with caring for our environment and surroundings.

Research tells us that natural environments and gardens, especially in hospitals, play a part in influencing and improving physical health, mental wellbeing, anxiety and stress relief, pain reduction and faster recovery – just as these adorable fluffy pup faces are bound to do! Happy

22/10/2026

Look beyond the outside of a toy. Small parts can come loose over time, creating a choking hazard for young children. Batteries, magnets, stuffing, beads and liquids can all be harmful if a toy breaks and a curious child gets access to them. Think about how your child plays, check toys for safer adventures.

22/10/2026

Fakaalofa lahi atu – Hello and warm greetings. It is Niuean Language Week!

Tina’s is proudly Niuean. Her story covers an issue she says many Pacific people can relate to.

“As Pacific people, we don’t always ask questions,” says Tina. “But it is something we need to get better at.”

Already very familiar with Middlemore Hospital due to a lifetime of hospital visits for her children, family and herself, Tina has become used to asking the hard questions and wants to encourage other Pacific people to do the same.

“My children have lung conditions, so any flu or cold was major for them. We spent a lot of time in the ED. I have also been there with family and myself and have had procedures at Middlemore Hospital and at Manukau Health Park, so I know the places well,” she says.

“Asking things like ‘what does that mean,’ or ‘when do I take that medication,’ or ‘what will I feel,” is a good way to start the conversation with your doctor or nurse,” says Tina.

“If you don’t understand what the clinical people are saying, just ask. You don’t have to worry about offending people or feeling embarrassed. It’s your health and life, so don’t be afraid to ask questions,” she says.

Translators are also available in a range of languages, including Pacific languages.

Tina tells us that last year she had to come into Middlemore Hospital for some heart tests, which resulted in her having a procedure on her pacemaker.

“I’ve had the pacemaker for many years, and it was playing up. It was pretty scary, but they did some tests and then found the problem. There were a few options, and I talked through them with the doctors. I asked a lot of questions!

“I understood what was going on, why they chose to do it this way and what it meant for me. They explained it really well. I ended up having a procedure in the Cath Lab.

“I am thankful for the team that helped me through the procedure. My doctor had a great bedside manner, and he even laughed at all my jokes. I felt comfortable. They were nice and they helped calm my anxiety. Thank you.”

20/10/2026

Fakaalofa lahi atu! Hello and warm greetings.

Niue Language Week is here, and the theme this year is "Gahua auloa ke fakaako fakamalolō e Vagahau Niue" - Working together to diligently teach and strengthen Vagahau Niue.

Ellavia, a House Officer at Middlemore Hospital, is from the capital village of Alofi and the village of Mutalau in Niue.

She says this year's theme is especially meaningful to her and her family.

“I was taught the three ‘Rs’ - relationships, respect, and reciprocity - by my mother and grandmother, and these values are central to who I am and to my work as a doctor.

“These values continue to guide me at work, at home, and within the Niue community.

“I have always loved celebrating my Niuean culture, and this year’s Niue Language Week theme is especially meaningful to me as it reminds us of the importance of working together across generations to teach, learn, and keep Vagahau Niue alive.

Ellavia says the more we use the language, the more we can preserve our culture and traditions within the Niue community.

“This is important for future generations as well. Strengthening the Niue language requires people across generations to learn from one another.

“Take the first step to learn the language, even if it feels unfamiliar to you. We’re all here to learn and help one another,” she says.

14/10/2026

“Humbled, grateful and blessed” – that’s how Annie feels after more than one month in Middlemore Hospital which included two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward.

“I had severe pneumonia, influenza, blood clotting likened to stroke symptoms which led to me being in an induced coma for two weeks.

“When I eventually woke, it was still another week in high dependency unit and then weeks in respiratory recovery.

“A humbling month of hospital stay is an understatement. My time in ICU - was sobering. But I’m alive today, and so incredibly humbled by my recent experiences and blessed. I felt so much for my daughters and loved ones who rallied around my bedside - and my dearest mother too.

Annie says Middlemore Hospital was amazing and that she is thankful for the wonderful team around her, of which there were many.

“I was cared for personally and so professionally by a talented team of specialists and nurses.

“There were many differing therapists - helping me to learn to stand and walk again, to eat-swallow whole foods and drink - wow I could barely believe I needed them all. That soft (baby) food diet was no joke.

“The language and speech therapy sessions were most frustrating for me because I thought I’d be 100% full strength straight away. My voice is still not back from being on the ventilator, but it will return. My energy levels are not the same as before, but I’m getting better. Recovery is about patience and time.

“I’ve been out of hospital and back home for a few months now. I’ve been admitted a couple of times since with short stays and I’m mindful of own self-care and recovery journey. I’m so grateful to be here and a huge thank you to all the health professionals caring for me.

Annie, Mangere.

14/10/2026

PUDU – the cleaning robot and intern in action at Middlemore Hospital!

14/10/2026

🤖Middlemore Hospital is trialling the PUDU cleaning robot, putting it to the test with sweeping, vacuuming and wet floor mopping tasks.

Traditional floor cleaning machines are heavy and can be awkward to operate for long periods of time. PUDU is a tool to help our cleaning team work more efficiently, safely and comfortably.

PUDU complements the work of our skilled cleaning staff, who continue to play a vital role in maintaining a safe, clean and high-quality environment.

13/10/2026

Our cleaners play a critical role in protecting the health and wellbeing of patients, visitors and staff at Middlemore Hospital.

Nisbat Nisha, Cleaning Operations Manager for Middlemore Hospital, says the team plays an essential role in maintaining a clean, safe environment and supporting quality patient care.

"Our cleaners work hard behind the scenes every day to maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene. Their contribution is essential to the patient experience and the smooth running of our hospital. I am proud of the dedication, teamwork and professionalism they bring to their roles."

Poko Fau, who is a cleaner at Middlemore Hospital, says she takes pride in knowing her work makes a difference.

"The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that our work helps prevent the spread of infection, supports patient safety and contributes to a positive healthcare experience for patients, visitors and staff."

On Thank Your Cleaner Day, let's take a moment to recognise their hard work, professionalism and dedication.

From maintaining high hygiene standards and reducing the spread of infection to ensuring clinical and shared spaces are clean and ready for use, their work is essential to the delivery of safe, quality care.

12/10/2026

Bula! Meet Simione Tagicakibau, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Pacific Planned Care at Counties Manukau, who has a passion for caring for others – a trait he feels is common among Fijians.

Simione is from Nukuloa, Gau, Lomaiviti and shares maternal links to Tarukua, Cicia, Lau in Fiji.

He was proudly born and raised in Fiji and has lived and worked in many beautiful tropical places throughout the Pacific and New Zealand, including Counties Manukau, known as the heart of the Pacific capital of the world due to our vibrant Pacific population.

“I grew up in Fiji with my extended family, where caring and respect were always valued within our household.
“After school, I knew I wanted to be a nurse because of my passion for caring for others and supporting my family. Most importantly, I wanted to explore the opportunities offered by this noble profession.

“I trained as a nurse in Fiji from 2003 to 2006 and have been working as a nurse ever since.”

Simione tells us he has worked in Fiji, the Cook Islands, Samoa and now New Zealand for the past 11 years.
“I migrated to New Zealand in June 2015 and lived and worked in Christchurch for eight years, Nelson for two years, and now I live here in Auckland.”

Fijian Language Week was from 4-10 October, and the theme this year was ‘Na noqu vosa me tekivu mai vale ka meu vosataka e na veisiga’, which translates to: “My language starts at home, and I need to speak it every day.”

As Fijians, Simione says it is important to embrace our culture, values, beliefs and language, and to practise them every day and pass them on to others and future generations so that we do not lose our unique identity.
“Language is powerful, and it is one of the main tools that we use in our daily work as healthcare workers.

“For my Fijian patients, language can break barriers, build rapport and trust between myself, my patients and their families, and most importantly help achieve positive health outcomes for our Fijian people.”

Simione felt honoured to help organise the Fiji Day celebration at Counties Manukau alongside the organising committee.

“We decided to celebrate Fiji Day together with an early Diwali celebration, not only to celebrate but also to acknowledge diversity, resilience, shared heritage, unity and the achievements of the Fijian people.”

Simione tells us that Fiji Day is held every year on 10 October. Fiji was ceded to Britain on 10 October 1874, lived under British colonial rule for 96 years, and then gained independence on 10 October 1970.

“That is why every Fijian celebrates Fiji Day, whether in Fiji or somewhere else in the world.”

Address

100 Hospital Road, Papatoetoe
Auckland
2025

Telephone

+6492760000

Website

http://www.countiesmanukau.health.nz/

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