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.
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'.
GP at Shane Reti’s old clinic more than $100k in the red, urges him to fix funding
'We have got to the point that we are running out of time.'
Some waiting lists slashed, but waits for cancer treatment, mental health support, specialist appointments rising
"We haven’t seen the improvements we would have liked to have seen," an executive said.
Elderly woman dies after being dropped from hospital stretcher
Her family said she had "a good innings" but died tragically while being transported home.
'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
How NZ will honour Elizabeth, PM praises 'incredible woman'
New Zealand will hold a memorial service and a proclamation ceremony in coming days.
Mystery solved: New Zealand backpacker who died 48 years ago identified by family
Peter Kelly died in 1974 after falling seven storeys from a balcony in Johannesburg.
Elon Musk responds to National MP's appeal for help on Tonga
SpaceX and Tesla CEO has offered to help Tonga, but says it will be difficult.
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.
'Blatant disregard': Three Germans detained in Bay of Islands after breaking Covid-19 border controls
Three German nationals blatantly disregarded NZ's border restrictions, officials said.
Coronavirus: Total cases rise to 52, two of them not travel-related
"At this point, we cannot rule out a risk of community transmission."
Tenants will now have to pay up for rental damage
Landlords will soon be able to claim up to four weeks' rent if tenants damage their homes.
Beneficiaries' 'desperate situation': Welfare changes after damning review
Govt has acted immediately after a review concluded NZ's welfare system was broken.
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.
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.
$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.
Let us grow weed, Grey Power group says
Public hearings have resumed on a law change to decriminalise medical cannabis.
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.
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.
NZ's native birds 'in trouble'
A third of NZ's native birds could soon go the way of the moa, a damning report reveals.
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.
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.
Maori Party could cut ties with Govt over Kermadecs
A battle between iwi and the Government over the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary appears set for court with Maori Fisheries saying it's "this Government's foreshore and seabed".
Te Ohu ads step up fight on sanctuary
The Maori Fisheries Commission is upping the ante in its fight against the Government's marine sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands.
Charter school 'bullying' claims
Act Party leader David Seymour is accusing a teachers' union of bullying a state school which offered to share resources with a charter school.
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.
All legal highs banned
The Government will ban all synthetic drugs within two weeks until they can be proven to be low-risk, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has revealed.