Health officials tackling Maori smoking want new measures to ban the habit at beaches, playgrounds, bus stops and other areas.

A common blood-thinning drug is being recalled after a manufacturing blunder that could cause thousands of NZers to accidentally overdose.

Two DHBs propose to offer public hospital patients the option of paying for treatment that is not funded by the public health system.

The Crown is appealing a landmark Human Rights Review Tribunal decision enabling parents caring for severely disabled adult children to be paid.

Toxic sea slugs could be living in the waters around New Zealand but money to study them is proving harder to find than the slugs themselves.

Public access to a widely-used class of painkillers containing codeine is likely to be restricted within months over addiction fears.

The Fire Service is increasingly being sent to emergencies when an ambulance has been requested, statistics show.

Cliff Robinson has a message for Health Minister Tony Ryall: "Show some sense and good grace and give us our due."

An anti-drug campaigner is calling for tougher regulations to ensure Kiwis know if their house has been used a P-lab.

Parents who care for severely disabled adult children should be eligible to receive payments, a tribunal has ruled.

Plans to make it easier for NZ doctors to work wherever they like in Australia are predicted to worsen this country's medical workforce crisis.

Broadcaster Willie Jackson is making a last-ditch attempt to save a Mangere rest home slated for closure by the Counties Manukau DHB.

Just under 50 per cent of Maori women smoke, compared to 20 per cent for the whole population aged 15 to 64.

A sea change may be occurring in young people's attitudes to tobacco.