Isaac Davison
Senior Reporter, Health
Isaac Davison is a health reporter for the New Zealand Herald and has a special interest in inequality, public housing, alcohol and drug reform, and euthanasia.
Isaac Davison started at the Herald in 2008 on the night shift, before moving to Tauranga to report on the Bay of Plenty. He was later the science and environment reporter, a role in which he covered the Rena oil spill disaster and the Christchurch earthquakes. He spent six years at the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Wellington, where he closely covered two general elections in 2014 and 2017. In that time, Isaac also covered the legalisation of same-sex marriage in New Zealand and reported from trips abroad to Antarctica, Japan, Indonesia, Australia and the Marshall Islands. In 2020, he was awarded runner-up for Feature Writer of the Year (Social Issues) for his reporting on historic sexual abuse at Dilworth School. Before journalism, Isaac studied English and History at the University of Auckland and wrote his Masters thesis on the great New Zealand poet Allen Curnow. You can contact Isaac at isaac.davison@nzme.co.nz.
Check out Isaac’s latest content
Pregnant women forced to travel 87km for emergency C-sections due to maternity care shortage
Some in the community were 'devastated' by the change, which will begin in mid-January.
Auckland hospital staff criticise 'nightmare' new $95m IT system causing treatment delays
'Teething issues' are to be expected with any large-scale IT overhaul, the hospital says.
Health system needs 3450 more doctors and 4100 more nurses in next decade
There has been huge growth in nursing numbers but gaps remain, Health NZ says.
Health Commissioner accused of ‘cooking the books’ in heated meeting
The claims came after Health NZ was forced to change its estimated deficit.
Health NZ to take longer to hit budget targets
The organisation is also expecting a deficit of $1.1 billion in the next year.
Report questions if harm from Covid-19 vaccine mandates outweighed benefits
Government will receive the inquiry's report today but its release date is unknown.
'Remove the gag clause': Doctors should be able to mention assisted dying - ministry
Government says any changes will be left to a member's bill.
'We're surrounded by everything that's bad for us': Being obese in New Zealand
Report calls for levies, limits on ads and fast-food shops, access to weight-loss drugs.
‘Deeply worried’: Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy jnr to health role alarms NZ health experts
RFK's peripheral role in the Samoan measles epidemic has been raised by several experts.
Puberty blockers to be prescribed more cautiously in New Zealand after review
The ministry says a more cautious approach will be taken to prescribing the drugs.
'Matter of time': New measles outbreak would be worse than 2019, with up to 90 cases a week
After a measles scare on Waiheke, briefings show the potential toll of a large outbreak.
Two families who lost premature babies share their second chances at parenthood
Pre-term birth rates are rising, but a new initiative starts today.
Deportee used fake passport to travel between NZ and Australia 24 times
Harvey Cramer-Roberts, from Auckland, was sentenced to nearly four years' jail.
Who is getting into medical school? New study sounds alarm over diversification
Affirmative action policies have had less success in lifting enrolments of poorer students
'Her legacy': Auckland mum dies as cancer drug is funded
Adrienne Smithson spent her last months fighting for wider access to the medication.
'So dire': Hospital staff refuse to care for racially abusive patient
More than 30 staff agreed not to look after the man until his behaviour was addressed.
23andMe in trouble: What does it mean for Kiwis who sent DNA to the company?
Users' genetic information could be sold to third parties if the company goes bankrupt.
No assisted dying oversight for seven months as doctors sound alarm
A newly appointed committee is working double-time to catch up on the reports.
Health NZ chief writes to staff about ‘English-only’ memo, confirms directive also made at second hospital
The language directive was also made at hospitals in Christchurch and Auckland.
Non-English-speaker approved for assisted dying - without translator
One doctor described the oversight process for assisted deaths as a 'tick-box activity'.
Newly-released documents reveal internal conflict before Health NZ board sacked
Health NZ has released a trove of background documents on its finances.
'Loud rumbling, heavy shaking': Strong earthquake hits Wellington
The magnitude-5.7 earthquake struck minutes after 5am.
Clear link between ADHD and harmful drug use, new NZ report confirms
Failures in diagnosing and treating ADHD may be leading to significant drug harm in NZ.
Puberty blocker use in NZ far higher than similar countries, study finds
The safety and reversibility of the medication is being reviewed by the Health Ministry.
‘Need, not race’ directive unscientific and dangerous, researchers say
Health professionals and scientists should reject the Government's directive, they said.
Nang ban: Selling or using nitrous oxide to get high could lead to prison
The Government has announced urgent changes to the recreational use of nitrous oxide.
Wellington mayor backtracks on claim she sold car to pay her bills
Tory Whanau says she sold her car because she no longer needed to drive in Wellington.
Kiwis with rare condition spend up to $200k for surgery overseas. Does it work?
Patients say Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome surgery is life-changing. Experts not so sure.
Family of Ariki Rigby weep in court as man charged with murder appears
Police made a breakthrough two years after the Hawke's Bay killing shocked the nation.
Catheter unchanged for four months: Patient suffers life-threatening complications
The home care company, Nurse Maude, has been told to apologise and make changes.
Parents of disabled kids ‘horrified’ at residential care restrictions after funding freeze
The Government says it's a temporary measure and that there's capacity in the system.
Drug dispute: Killer jailed for a kick the victim never saw coming
Judge halted killer's apology - saying there was no point as no one wanted to hear it.
Blockhouse Bay homicide victim was 'gentle' scientist on daily walk to look for insects
The victim, aged in his early 50s, would have never hurt a fly, a colleague said.
Blockhouse Bay homicide: Victim was a ‘beautiful soul’, tennis club says
'The court was busy - it’s a vibrant, busy place on a Saturday,' a neighbour said.
Health NZ can’t cut $1.4b without eating into front line, analysis shows
Researchers say underfunding - not just mismanagement - is to blame for Health NZ's woes.
Halt on surgical mesh operations set to last until at least mid-2025
Conditions for lifting the pause on mesh surgeries have not yet been met: Health Ministry.
Severe mental health patients reportedly waiting 72hrs for care in South Auckland
'The situation is quite dire,' said a union rep about the shortages.
'I’m on my way out': Suffering patients say right-to-die law still doesn't help them
The family of a woman who was declined for assisted dying say the law is 'ridiculous'.
Starship Hospital leaders say Treaty repeal law will make their job harder
The 7AA repeal would have direct impact on the hospital floor, Starship directors say.
Health NZ backtracks on early free access to 'miracle' cancer drug
Early access to the drug could make a significant difference in some patients' survival.
Former Health NZ board members hit back at PM's attack on their credibility
Members said they were "all over" Health NZ's financial problems - contrary to Govt claims
Health NZ apologises after nursing graduates have job offers retracted
Nursing grads said they were 'heartbroken' after offers of work turned out to be false.
Auckland cancer patient pays $45k just to have medication administered
Allowing unfunded drugs to be taken in public hospitals not on the agenda, Govt confirmed.
Greens begin process to remove Darleen Tana; meeting to address 'waka-jumping' rule
Greens co-leader Chloe Swarbrick held a press conference in Christchurch this morning.
'Incredibly emotional': Victim welcomes Abuse in Care report 40yrs after trauma
'There are very senior people who need to hang their heads in shame for their conduct.'
'Having to wait too long': New commissioner tackles health waiting times
The health minister is blaming the Labour government for a $130m monthly overspend.
Mt Wellington shooting victim was patched Rebels MC member
His dad joined the gang to protect his kids. Now his son has been shot dead in a car.
Man found dead in car in central Auckland suburb; homicide investigation launched
The man was found dead outside a business on Penrose Rd.
Top health officials expressed outrage, considered quitting over Government's smokefree repeal
A health official said Government changes would be 'difficult to explain... to the kids'.
Bowel cancer: Two million kits distributed under screening programme, 2500 cancers detected
The milestone comes as the Government plans to lower the screening age.
ADHD: Rising wait times of up to a year for adult assessments
A Herald survey found wait times of 6-12 months, and many doctors with closed books.
'Tsunami of threats': Auckland uni ordered to pay Wiles $20k
The Employment Court has issued its judgment in Siouxsie Wiles' case against her employer.
'New screen-time limits needed' in schools - excessive use of devices linked to poor health
The risks existed whether a child was doing homework or watching TikTok.
New surgical building opens in Auckland tomorrow after delays caused by staff shortages
The $300m building will have capacity for 15,000 operations a year once fully open.
Hiring freeze: Doctor jobs unfilled as Health NZ cost-cutting bites
Doctors had job applications paused at the reference-checking stage, or delayed for weeks.
Women forced to shop around for hormone patches, some missing out altogether
One pharmacy had a waiting list of 80 patients, who were only able to get a week's supply.
'Blood-curdling scream' heard after car hits group, brawl erupts in Ponsonby
Three people were injured in the incident and a man was arrested at the scene.
Health watchdog taking years to investigate complaints - amid ‘significant pressure’
Covid backlog, ancient IT system part of problem, but upgrade request for latter rejected.
Sperm donor who was told he had no biological children finds son on DNA testing website
DNA testing websites are muddying the sensitive process of matching donors with families.
Mystery shopper finds vape stores openly selling banned products, failing to check ID
New rules for vaping are now in place. A mystery shopper found widespread non-compliance.
'Really hectic': Middlemore Hospital ED under strain with ambulance ramping, bed waits
There were reports of long waits for a bed and patients in corridors.
Pharmacies investigated for allegedly giving unnecessary immunisations
At one pharmacy, elderly patients getting a flu shot were also given child vaccinations.
ACC cutting 390 jobs - nearly 10 per cent of workforce
The public sector union said the cuts included 'vital' injury prevention staff.
ACC spending cuts expected to be announced today, 100 jobs possibly on the line
The agency's bosses said changes will not impact frontline services like rehabilitation.
Bowel cancer rates rise in under-50s, calls for lower screening age
Govt will lower the bowel cancer screening age to 55.
86yo Kiwi man attacked, hospitalised in Italy while on dream tour
Michael Johnson was on a dream opera tour in Italy when he was allegedly attacked.
Disability ministry didn't warn of funding changes because of concern about last-minute spend-up
Newly released documents shed light on the leadup to the shock funding changes in March.
Family lays complaint after 22-year-old dies suddenly in Middlemore Hospital
The family claimed Jaydyn Barnett was ready to go home but died suddenly after a fall.
ADHD medication prescription rates rise tenfold for adults in NZ
Higher prescription rates reflected greater recognition of ADHD, the study's author said.
Disability ministry’s problems revealed in confidential memo
The Government is expected to confirm a review of Whaikaha today.
University of Auckland taken to ERA by ‘Plan B’ academic Simon Thornley
The university is now involved in a new employment dispute.
Diabetes: Pharmac’s funding of glucose monitors a major step - with a few catches
Up to 18,000 people with diabetes will soon get free access to life-saving technology.
Rising number of cancer screening samples binned because of transit delays
One family said they hand-delivered a sample to the post office and it still arrived late.
Man pleads guilty, will pay $16k for K Rd rainbow crossing vandalism
Ford O'Connor is married to Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki's granddaughter.
'Full' GP clinics enrol more patients after being bought by healthcare company
Rapid growth of corporate GP ownership has upsides - but also some new pressures.
Studies reveal burden of excessive drinking on strained EDs
Interviews with patients in the ED show harmful drinkers are more likely to be older men.
Medsafe seizes eczema creams after 'potent steroid' warning
Users have been told to dispose of the products and check with a GP for side-effects.
Homicide investigation after brawl at 21st birthday leaves two dead
The mass brawl took place in Gisborne.
Family members of two dead gather at scene of mass brawl
Three people are in a critical condition at Gisborne Hospital, which is in lockdown.
'A scarcity of research': Are menstruation and suicide sometimes connected?
Women attempt suicide at much greater rates than men, but little is known why.