New Zealand is likely to follow Australia's lead on requiring tobacco to be sold in plain packaging, Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia says.

Prostate-cancer screening should be reduced in New Zealand in light of research just published, an Otago University associate professor says.

Legal products that mimic the high given by smoking cannabis are set to be banned for under-18s. Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne today signalled the Government will tighten up its controls on synthetic "cannabinoid" substances...

Smoking researchers say NZ's top priority should be banning smoking in cars with child passengers.

The dental health of young children continues to be among the worst in the developed world, figures reveal.

North Island hospitals are receiving Christchurch earthquake victims and plan to send specialists to help in the devastated city.

A medical recruitment company claims to have seen a 300 per cent rise in New Zealand doctors leaving to find better pay in Australia in the last year.

Parents are being warned that unimmunised children will have to stay away from school for up to two weeks if they come into contact with measles.

Paying overnight staff to sleep will cost more than $500 million over three years and changing the law may be considered, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.

A spiralling shortage of doctors has sparked a warning of future "severe safety issues" in New Zealand hospitals, with predictions that patients could suffer from increasing medical mistakes and treatment delays without urgent action.

Bribed with a free breakfast, many people will be leaving their cars in the garage and choosing to cycle to work today for National Go By Bike Day.