Health NZ - Bay of Plenty

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/6180BDepsg

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 💙

17/06/2026

Tauranga Hospital’s emergency department has introduced a new Peers in ED service, bringing people with lived experience of mental illness and recovery into the emergency department to support patients during a vulnerable time. Already proven in other hospitals across the country, the service offers something simple but powerful in a busy ED environment: time, connection and understanding.

Instead of clinical assessment, peer support workers focus on being present - sitting alongside people, listening, and helping them feel heard. Early feedback shows the difference this can make, with patients choosing to stay and continue care, and whānau expressing gratitude for having someone there during difficult moments. As one team member says, it’s about “meeting someone where they’re at” when everything feels overwhelming.

The service, launched in March, is also building strong partnerships with community providers to ensure support continues beyond discharge. It’s a small change making a meaningful shift in how people experience mental health care in the ED.

📷 Peer support workers pictured from top left: Sarah Baker, Siobhan Foote, Tarnia McCall. From bottom left: Belinda Stackhouse, Stacey Jones.

03/06/2026

A new co-response team bringing together mental health clinicians and Police is changing how 111 calls are handled in the Western Bay of Plenty. Since April, the team has been attending mental distress callouts, enabling on-the-spot clinical assessments and more compassionate, health-led support.

Early results are promising - with fewer people needing hospital care or police custody, and more getting the help they need at home. It’s a shift toward keeping people at the centre of care, connecting them and their whānau with the right support from the very first response.

🔗 Read the full story to see how this approach is making a difference (link in comments).

📷 Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey visited the co-response team in Tauranga on 3 June 2026.

25/05/2026

The Big Latch on is celebrating 21 years! Our public health team will be at Pāpāmoa Plaza to support the local celebration. Find event details below ❤️

You’re invited to The Big Latch On 2026 💛

Join us as we come together to celebrate, support, and empower māmā and whānau in our community. This special event is all about connection, encouragement, and creating safe spaces for every infant feeding journey.

Whether you’re a new parent, expecting pēpi, supporting a loved one, or simply want to be part of the kaupapa — we’d love to see you there ✨

🤱 Connect with other māmā
🌿 Meet local support services
💛 Celebrate breastfeeding and whānau wellbeing
👶 Everyone is welcome

📅 Friday 29th May 2026
📍 Food Court, Pāpāmoa Plaza

Bring your pēpi, your village, and your aroha — let’s make this year’s Big Latch On one to remember 🤍

28/04/2026

🛡️ Give your tamariki their own shield of protection through immunisation!

Whooping cough can be serious for babies, but protection can start early. When someone who is pregnant receives a free whooping cough immunisation during pregnancy, it helps protect their baby during their first weeks of life.

Babies then build their own protection with immunisations at 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months. Booster doses help keep protection strong throughout life.

Talk to your usual health provider or pharmacist, or visit www.healthnz.govt.nz/health-topics/immunisations to find out more and book an immunisation.

14/04/2026

Check out NZ Civil Defence's handy tips to keep you and your whānau safe during cleanup 👇

For those affected by the severe weather over the weekend, remember to put your safety first with our advice below:

💩 Floodwater can contain sewage and other dangerous materials which can make your home unhealthy.

🏠 Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company.

📷 Remember to take photos and videos of the damage and anything that needs to be thrown away before starting the clean-up, for insurance purposes.

🫧 You’ll need to clean, disinfect, and dry your house and everything in it. Take out everything that is wet and that can be moved. Throw away anything that can’t be cleaned.

🛡️ Protect yourself by wearing masks (P2 or N95), gloves, goggles, clothing that covers your arms and legs, and sturdy footwear, as floodwater can hide hidden debris below the surface.

😷 Keep an eye out for mould, and take extra care if you have asthma, allergies, or other breathing problems. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your health during clean-up.

❤️ Keep tamariki/children and animals away until it’s safe for them.

Cleaning up outdoors? remember to:
🪏 Check before you dig – there may be buried utilities
🏞️ Stay away from flooded areas or waterways
🌳 Be careful around trees that may have been damaged by the weather – they should only be felled by suitably trained persons.
⚡ Treat any fallen power line as live.
🧹 Please don’t try to clear slips or debris on public roads or public land - these need to be assessed and cleared by trained council crews or contractors.

Thank you for the support and aroha you continue to show for the people who have been impacted by the multiple severe weather events this year. Please keep checking on your neighbours and taking care of those around you.

12/04/2026

🌀 Wild weather out there, but our team is still here for you.

Our hospital remains open and all services are operating. If you have a health emergency, please come straight to the Emergency Department.

Have an appointment booked? Clinics and procedures are still going ahead if you can travel safely. If you are unable to get in, please contact us on 0800 333 477 and let us know in advance.

Need health advice?
📞 Healthline 0800 611 116 (free, 24/7)
🌿 Rural callers: 0800 KA ORA (0800 252 672)
💙 Mental wellbeing support: call or text 1737

Keep updated on the local situation by following BOP Civil Defence and MetService New Zealand.

Take care out there, e te whānau. 💙

11/04/2026

In case of power outages or if you or your whānau need to leave quickly:
❤️ Ensure phones, medical devices, and their batteries are charged.
❤️ If anyone in your whare/home takes medication, now's a good time to pop them into your GRAB/GO bag along bottled water. If medication is kept in the fridge, check the lids are firmly on and the'yre in a handy place to grab and go.
❤️ If you are medically dependent on electricity, please ensure your power company knows about your needs.
❤️ If you are medically vulnerable and in areas at risk of flooding or rural locations, please check if family or friends can contact you for check-ins or stay with them instead.

For free, 24/7 health advice, call Healthline 0800 611 116. If you’re based rurally, you can call 0800 KA ORA (0800 252 672) to speak with a nurse or doctor.

Stay safe everyone ❤️

06/04/2026

MetService New Zealand has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane, including Rotorua - due to hit later this evening🟠 Make sure to check out the post below for more info 👇

Stay safe out there whānau.

UPDATE: 9.53am Thursday 9 April

Mōrena everyone. The Orange Heavy Rain Warning for the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne, including Rotorua has been cancelled.

The Yellow Heavy Rain Watch for the Bay of Plenty, east of Whakatane, remains in place until 4pm this afternoon.

We continue to track the progress of Cyclone Vaianu and will update you when we know more ahead of the weekend.
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UPDATE: as of 10:32am, Wednesday 8 April

Mōrena everyone, we hope you're keeping warm and dry! MetService New Zealand have just updated the Orange Heavy Rain Warning for the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne, including Rotorua.

A further 60-80mm of rain is anticipated to fall on top of what has already fallen from now until 9pm this evening.

Our duty team is continuing to monitor the situation 24/7 and is keeping a close eye on the forecasted track of Cyclone Vaianu. We will update you if anything else changes.

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UPDATE: as of 8:24pm, Tuesday 7 April

Evening all - the expected rain is forecast to come in earlier than initially anticipated so the Heavy Rain warning period is now from 11pm tonight (Tuesday) until 9pm Wednesday 8 April.
Stay safe out there.

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ORIGINAL POST: 10:07am, Tuesday 7 April

Mōrena all, MetService New Zealand have just issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane, including Rotorua for a period of 24 hours from 12am Wednesday, 8 April to 12am Thursday, 9 April.

We can expect 100 to 140 mm of rain, especially inland, with peaks rates of 25 to 40 mm/hour. Localised downpours and possible thunderstorms are expected throughout Wednesday. There is a minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

The Yellow Heavy Rain Watch for the Bay of Plenty, east of Whakatane, remains in place.

Please take care if you are out and about. Dangerous river conditions, flooding, and slips likely. Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Dangerous driving conditions and road closures could be expected.

Take care out there!

Tauranga City Council Western Bay of Plenty District Council Ōpōtiki District Council Te Kaunihera ā rohe o Kawerau - Kawerau District Council Te Kaunihera ā-rohe o Whakatāne - Whakatāne District Council Rotorua Lakes Council