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.
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.
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.
'Stock up while you still can': Retailers offload vapes ahead of bans
By next week, disposable vapes need to have maximum nicotine limits and safety features.
'Can't control it': The worrying trend among Kiwi kids that has experts alarmed
Children in the study wore body cams to track their television, online and games use.
Kidney dialysis services ‘at breaking point’, regional patients forced to drive two hours for treatment
Sector warns services are stretched, understaffed and facing growing demand.
Half of surgeons assessed for using surgical mesh did not meet minimum standards
It comes as the Ministry of Health considers a pause on mesh implants for some operations.
Trans students: How schools should handle pronouns and names
A teacher was struck off after refusing to use a trans student's chosen name and pronouns.
Flatlining: $11b health shake-up yet to help struggling frontline staff, 'urgent problems'
Your guide to the big health reforms - and whether they're working or not.
Two deaths from whooping cough in New Zealand, low vaccination rates mean spread is more likely
Vaccination rates were "seriously low" after the pandemic disruption, officials said.
Inside Auckland's emergency bunker as Cyclone Gabrielle rages
"No one gets a get out of jail free card," an official said as the storm approached.
Covid vaccine available to under-5s with high health risks from today
Expert welcomes extension of vaccine, but wants more under-5s to get access.
NZ study showing higher rates of heart disease after Covid jabs should be treated with caution - expert
The study provided further reassurance about the safety of the vaccine, an official said.
'It all came crashing down': Long Covid turns fit adventurer into bedridden patient
Rose was a thriving, adventurous 38-year-old - long Covid has turned her life upside down.
One in five infections in NZ report Long Covid symptoms, many struggle to get help
Govt is now being told to set up Long Covid clinics and properly educate doctors.
‘Kindest man’ and his ‘mini-me’: Beach drowning victims remembered
Ian and Samuel Cruickshank drowned when they were swept out to sea at Opoutere Beach.
Let them sleep in: Later school starts for senior students a ‘no-brainer’ - researchers
The evidence is clear. So why have so few New Zealand schools changed their start times?
Summer Covid wave keeps retreating, latest case numbers released
The Ministry of Health has released new Covid infection numbers
Damning review into Malachi Subecz murder finds agencies could have done more
The Government agrees to some changes, but shies away from mandatory reporting of abuse.
Rebuilding Better - the Equality Lens: How to grow the economy for all Kiwis
Experts say NZ needs to tackle the gender pay gap, the digital divide, and housing costs.
How NZ will honour Elizabeth, PM praises 'incredible woman'
New Zealand will hold a memorial service and a proclamation ceremony in coming days.
Live: 1000 daily cases this week, NZ set for Phase 2 Omicron fight
Phase 2 will mean shorter isolation periods and more rapid antigen testing.
810 new cases: Big Omicron spike moves NZ closer to Phase 2
Positive cases jumped to 810 today - almost twice the previous day's total.
Eight Covid cases in managed isolation; Air NZ staffer tests positive again
There are no new community cases today.
Two new Covid cases in managed isolation
The Air NZ staffer visited Auckland pet store, later tested positive in China.
Two new Covid cases at border; probe into possible infection of Air NZ staffer in China
An Air NZ cabin crew member with "possible" infection is in managed isolation in Shanghai.
New Zealanders say 'yes' to euthanasia - so what happens now?
New Zealanders want voluntary euthanasia. When can they get it and who qualifies?
Covid's grim toll: NZ approaches unwanted milestone
Dire economic conditions mean welfare numbers have peaked at historic levels.
Covid-19: 95% chance virus has been eliminated in NZ
Over the next week we could see Covid-19 eliminated entirely, expert says.
Rough sleeping all but eliminated in NZ in six weeks of lockdown
The Covid crisis has had a silver lining: Nearly every rough sleeper has been housed.
Scientists sound contact tracing alarm: Outdated system a 'dinosaur'
Behind closed doors, scientists are raising alarm about the gaps in NZ's system.
Coronavirus: Total cases rise to 52, two of them not travel-related
"At this point, we cannot rule out a risk of community transmission."
Booze nation: Kiwis drinking less, but 1 in 3 still bingeing
Kiwis drink three standard drinks - or three mid-strength beers - a day on average.
Teenage shooting victim laid to rest
Two more victims of the Christchurch shootings have been laid to rest.
More than 220 kids in state care abused in 6 months
Oranga Tamariki 'courageous' for revealing extent of abuse, commissioner says.
Meet the hardest working foster parents in NZ
They haven't had a sleep-in since 1982, and they've changed more than 100,000 nappies.
Delay to trans bill 'deeply disappointing' - Greens
Law change would make it easier for trans people to change sex on their birth certificate.
The 'relentless' rise of P in New Zealand: 'This is becoming a plague'
Meth-related offending has now overtaken cannabis in New Zealand.
Night sweats? 20C overnight, could surpass 35C today
Further temperature records could tumble in the South Island this week, say forecasters.
Use of developers for social housing 'short-sighted'
The shift towards developers comes as the wait list for social housing nears 12,000.
Country of origin rules for food watered down
Country of origin labelling in NZ is back on track, but with a few changes.
Attacks on ED staff 'simply part of the job'
More than 100 cases of abuse were recorded on hospital staff in a month.
Medical cannabis for son big financial toll on family
A family finally has access to legal, medical cannabis. But the costs are crippling.
Compo possibility for tenants evicted over meth
Housing NZ's response to the meth contamination scare will be reviewed.
Govt urged by unions to approve mega-prison
A 600-bed boost to prisons will not solve overcrowding, unions say.
Govt has 'pulled anchor' on economy - National
The Govt spent, taxed and borrowed more in the Budget for little gain, National says.
Greens happy with smaller share of cash
Greens counted around $610m in Budget wins, compared to $2.8b for NZ First.
Budget 2018: 'Tax more, borrow more'
Opposition leader says the Government has squandered an opportunity.
Budget: $200m for pop-up prison cells
Hundreds of new pop-up jail cells will be built with $200m of new funding in Budget 2018.
Tempers flare at Tauranga hīkoi at Parliament
300 people from Tauranga iwi in Wellington are protesting a Deed of Settlement.
$76m boost for family violence services
Extra cash 'critical to turn around tragic family violence record'.
Farm limits an 'assault on the regions': Bridges
The Government wants to limit farming run-off and intensification.
Govt's 'audacious' target of zero deaths on NZ roads
"Target of zero deaths is audacious, and it's also been successful," Health Minister says.
Housing, immigration and tax dominate leaders' debate
English and Ardern have clashed over housing, immigration and tax in first debate.
Blow for Nats as Dunne walks away from politics
The United Future leader is the third leader in just three weeks to resign.
National unveils $10.5 billion roads plan
The National Party will build 10 new major highways if it returns to power in September.
Ardern to PM - 'Don't be complacent'
Jacinda Ardern is promising that Labour will run the "campaign of our lives".
Govt pledges $5 million to Team NZ
Funding would help retain key members of America's Cup-winning team.
Bird species disappearing from Kaimai bush
A lack of pest control is being blamed for disappearing bird species in the Kaimai bush.
Youthful Greens trio race up party list
The Green Party has taken a punt on its young, high-profile women candidates.
What Morgan, Trump have in common
The two men share a tendency to be short and sharp on Twitter.
MPs to vote against free-to-air sport
Parliament is expected to vote against making national sports games free-to-air.
TOP proposes $200 a week handout
The Opportunities Party wants all Kiwis to get a basic income of $200 a week.
Under-45 Nat MPs back higher pension age
Two Cabinet Ministers won't get their pension until age 67. But they're OK with it, saying they are likely to live longer.
Government considers raising retirement age
The Government will need to do more than raise the age of eligibility for New Zealand Super if its rising costs are to be managed
Tourist driver test ruled out
Judy Richards, whose son Rhys Middleton was killed by a tourist driver last year, is leading calls for testing foreign motorists.
MP: Doctors prejudiced about cannabis
Patients seeking medical cannabis for pain relief will no longer need to get approval from a minister, the Government confirmed this morning.
PM confirms election date
New Zealand will go to the polls on September 23, Prime Minister Bill English announced this afternoon.
Morgan & Peters trade insults at Ratana
Morgan compared Peters to Don Brash, saying they were "black-and-white facsimiles of each other"; Peters described Morgan as "a thinned-out version of Kim Dotcom".
Bridges buzzing over switch to e-car
Transport Minister Simon Bridges has bought two electric cars, and is trying to convince other National MPs to do the same.
Bridges and Adams on the rise in Cabinet
Simon Bridges and Amy Adams have received big promotions in a new Cabinet as Judith Collins falls down ministerial rankings. Read the full list here.
All Blacks tests could become free-to-air
All Blacks tests would have to be broadcast on free-to-air television under a proposed law change to be debated by Parliament.
Simon Bridges to stand for Deputy PM
Transport Minister Simon Bridges has declared his bid for Deputy Prime Minister.
John Key cites family reasons for leaving
John Key is resigning as PM saying it's time to "take a step back in my career and spend more time at home".
Bennett: Many homeless proposals underway
Labour, Greens and the Maori Party released the results of their inquiry this morning after holding public hearings around the country.
Why won't China take NZ's kiwifruit?
Key says he has been assured by China that a halt to imports of kiwifruit is the result of a "technical issue" rather than any alleged reprisals.
Dame Susan Devoy: Take on more refugees
Race Relations Commission Dame Susan Devoy says NZ needs to take on more refugees to show it is deserving of a seat at the UN Security Council.
Defeated PM defends $26m flag vote
INTERACTIVE: John Key says he is disappointed New Zealanders have voted to keep the current flag but has promised his Government will not revisit the issue.