Signing of Te Tiriti ō Waitangi – Treaty of Waitangi (6th Feb 1840) - On 6 February 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands by Captain William Hobson, several English residents, and between 43 and 46 Māori rangatira.
Discussions on subsidises for treating Māori (1840s)
Hospital institution (presumed to be military) established in Auckland (1841)
Official counting of the population began (1842)
Māori leaders petition government for hospital (1844)
Funding for Māori hospitals allocated (1846)
First hospitals commissioned (1846)
Funding granted for the erection of hospitals in Auckland, Wellington, Whanganui and Taranaki (1846)
First public hospital in New Zealand opened in Wellington (1847)
Māori use of hospitals evident from outset (1848)
Municipal Corporation Act 1842 – to provide for ‘the good order health and convenience of towns and their neighbourhoods’.
Harbour Act 1842 – to provide for the regulation of harbours for quarantine purposes
First known case of smallpox via ship landed in Lambton Harbour (1840)
Release of a pamphlet on smallpox in Māori (1849)
First Colonial Surgeon appointed (1841)
Medical assistance for Natives discussed in Parliament (1855)
Hospital in New Plymouth classed as tapu, leading to the hospital providing mainly outpatient service (1857)
First attempt to count Māori population (1857)
Regulations gazetted amplifying provisions for quarantine 1854
Formation of Central Board of Vaccination for the Aborigines of New Zealand (1854)
Scarlet fever and measles outbreaks (1854)
Appointment of qualified doctors solely as Native Medical Attendants (1857)
Funding assigned for Māori Medical Care under the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 (UK)
Influx of immigrants increases hospital demand (1861)
Return of George Grey as Governor (1862)
Land given in Te Awamutu for native hospital (1862)
Discussions about a hospital for Māori in Rotorua (1862)
New Zealand Government now responsible for Māori affairs (1863)
Harbour and Quarantine Regulations for the ports of New Zealand 1868
Typhoid appeared as epidemic disease (1860)
Māori land wars ended (1872)
A central Board of Health for entire colony established under the Public Health Act 1876
Administrative and financial control of hospitals taken over by central Government (1876)
Control of asylums taken over by central Government (1876)
Smallpox outbreaks – Auckland and Wellington (1872)
Whooping cough epidemic (1873)
Cromwell has typhoid outbreak (1874)
Measles epidemic (1874)
Otago Medical School established under Anatomy Act 1875
Native Schools Code teachers supplied with simple medicine (1880)
First report on New Zealand hospitals (1882)
Compulsory health education for Māori proposed (1884)
Discussion around hospitals for Ngāi Tahu (1887)
Measles epidemic – Otago, Canterbury, Auckland, Wellington and Hawke’s Bay (1881)
Typhoid epidemic (1888)
First political party (Liberal Party) is formed (1890)
Native Department abolished (1892)
Women’s suffrage movement (1893)
Police officers instructed to watch tohunga (1899)
Dr Walter Fell reviews quarantine regulations (1891)
Measles epidemic (1893)
Mrs Grace Neill appointed Assistant Inspector of Hospitals (1895)
Measles epidemic (1898)
Tutere Wirepa and Peter Buck receive Māori medical scholarships (1898)
Establishment of Department of Public Health (1901)
Suggestion to move matters pertaining to Māori health to Department of Public Health (1901)
Department of Public Health takes full responsibility for Māori health (1906)
Department of Native Affairs re-established (1906)
Native Department re-established (1906)
Establishment of Mental Hospitals Department (1908)
Māori medical services returned to Native Affairs (1909)
Public Health Act 1908 (consolidation Act)
Medical Act 1908 (consolidation Act)
Dentists Act 1908 (consolidation Act)
Lunatics Act 1908 (consolidation Act)
Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act 1908 (consolidation Act)
First death from plague (1900)
Central Board of Health suggested establishment of Department of Public Health (1900)
Inquiry into the sanitary condition of the colony (1900)
Tangi by-law restricting public tangi in order to contain infectious disease (1900)
Measles epidemic (1902)
Smallpox spread from Tasmania to Christchurch (1904)
Measles epidemic (1907)
A Māori chief appointed as a Sanitary Commissioner (1900)
Dr J M Mason appointed Chief Health Officer (1900)
Maui Pomare appointed Chief Native Health Officer (1901)
First District Health Officers appointed (1901)
Māori inspectors appointed (1903)
Sanitary inspectors working among Māori (1904)
Dr Pomare assisted by Dr Peter Buck in Department of Native Affairs (1905)
Plunket Society founded (1906)
Akenehi Hei, first Māori registered nurse and midwife (1908)
District nurses replace Māori Health Inspectors (1909)
Control of Māori health returned to Department of Public Health (1910)
Māori Nursing Service established as part of Health Department (1911)
Reform Party becomes the government (1912)
Separate registration of Māori birth and deaths introduced (1913)
School Medical Inspection Service started (1913)
World War I (1914–1918)
Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand medical services (1919)
Proposals for complete reorganisation of Department of Health (1919)
First Children’s Health Camp established by Dr Elizabeth Gunn to help children malnourished or suffering from tuberculosis (1919)
Infectious diseases control transferred from local authorities to hospital boards (1910)
Typhoid fever outbreak (Ahipara, Te Puke, South Waikato) (1910)
Typhoid – Gisborne, Rotorua, Taranaki and Auckland (1911)
Plague – 11 cases in Auckland (1911) Typhoid – Bay of Islands, Waiapu, Piako and Katikati (1912)
Typhoid (93 cases) in Waiapu (1913)
Smallpox epidemic (1913)
Poliomyelitis made a notifiable disease (1914)
Typhoid outbreak – Auckland, Raetihi and Bay of Plenty) (1914)
Typhoid among Māori in Bay of Plenty (1916)
Poliomyelitis epidemic (1916)
Influenza pandemic (1918)
Royal Commission Report to investigate in influenza pandemic (1919)
Dr Pomare resigned from Native Medical Services (1910)
Lord Kitchener advised on the need for an army nursing service (1912)
Compulsory medical inspection of children in state schools (1912)
Establishment of New Zealand Army Nursing Service (1915)
Division of Māori Hygiene created in Department of Health (1920)
Māori Health Councils revived (1920)
New Zealand divided into 12 Health Districts (1927)
United Party elected to power (1928)
Opening of Māori Hospital – Mahinarangi, Turangawaewae, Ngāruawahia (Kingitanga – Tainui) (1929)
Four deaths in six cases of puerperal sepsis in a Auckland Hospital aroused public alarm (1923)
Poliomyelitis epidemic (1925)
Introduction of diphtheria immunisation (1925)
Survey of goitre incidence in schoolchildren by Sir Charles Hercus (1925)
Dr Blake-McLagan determined endemicity of goitre in New Zealand as manifested by school population (1926)
Bacillary Dysentery epidemic (1929)
Peter Buck replaced as Director of Division of Māori Hygiene by Dr Edward Pohau Ellison (1927)
Māori Hygiene Department abolished (1931)
Reform Party and United Party form a coalition government (1931)
Worldwide economic depression begins to affect New Zealand and the Department of Health (1931)
Hawke’s Bay earthquake (1931)
Labour Party elected to government (1935)
Publication of Tuberculosis in the Māori: East Coast of New Zealand (1935)
New Zealand Federation of Health Camps formed (1936)
Women’s Health League formed by nurse Ruby Cameron in the Rotorua District (1937)
Māori death rate: crude rate per thousand population was 24.31 for Māori compared with Pākehā rate of 9.71 (1938)
World War II (1939–1945)
Immunisation against diphtheria (1937)
Distribution of milk in schools began (1937)
Measles epidemic (1938)
Sanitation campaign for Waikato providing toilets for Māori homes (1939)
Medical Research Council of New Zealand established (1937)
General Medical Services Benefit established (1941)
Social Security extends to maternity benefits (1941)
Extension of Social Security benefits to physiotherapy (1942)
Publication of new edition of The Māori Mother and Her Child (1942)
Māori Councils abolished and Tribal Executives established (1945)
Extension of outpatients benefits (1945)
Health benefits extended to include artificial limbs (1947)
National Party elected (1949)
The Social Security (District Nursing Service) Regulation 1944
The Social Security (Hospital Benefits for outpatients) Regulations 1944
Division of Tuberculosis set up (1942)
Poliomyelitis epidemic (1947)
Medical Research Council established (1950)
Survey of goitre incidence in schoolchildren (1951)
Publication of report by the Consultative Committee on Hospital Reform (1954)
Labour Party elected (1957)
Major studies in the inequalities of health between Māori and Pākehā with regard to polio immunity and the incidence and treatment of bronchiectasis (1958)
Extension of the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination for tuberculosis (1951)
Poliomyelitis epidemic (1952)
Experiment in Hastings with fluoridation of water supplies (1954)
Poliomyelitis epidemic (1955)
Start made with immunising against poliomyelitis with Stalk Vaccine (1956)
National Party elected (1960)
Publication of the Hunn Report (1960)
Publication of first Comparative Statistical Report, Māori-European Standards of Health (1960)
Department of Health sets up Māori Health Committee (1960)
United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, ratified by New Zealand (1960)
Protocol of the Convention adopted in 1967 also ratified
New Zealand Māori Council established (1962)
Provisional grading of public water supplies by the Board of Health (1962)
Health Department reorganised into six divisions (1962)
Reconstitution of Medical Research Council, separated from Department (1965)
Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966
Replacement of eight hospital districts with two (1967)
Review of Hospital and Related services published (1969)
King George the Fifth Memorial Children's Health Camps Amendment Act 1960
Repeal of the Tohunga Suppression Act 1962
Māori Welfare Act 1962 (renamed Māori Community Development Act 1962)
Provision of free vaccines for diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus (1960)
Screening of newborn infants for phenylketonuria (1960)
Cervical cancer campaign (1963)
Distribution of milk in schools ended (1966)
Labour Party elected (1972)
Psychiatric hospitals transferred to Hospital Board’s control (1972)
International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, ratified by New Zealand (1972)
ACC scheme started (1974)
Waitangi Tribunal established (1975)
National Party elected (1975)
A question on Māori descent (ethnicity) introduced in Census (1976)
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, ratified by New Zealand (1978)
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by New Zealand (1978)
Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act 1975 (Part 2A)
Nursing Council of New Zealand established (1971)
Department of Health, A health service for New Zealand White Paper (1975)
Population-based funding formulae introduced (1983)
Area Health Boards established (1983)
Hui Whakaoranga (1984)
Māori health identified as a health priority in the Ministry of Health (1984)
Standing Committee on Māori health set up by New Zealand Board of Health (1984)
Labour Party elected (1984)
Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women, ratified by New Zealand (1985)
Health Benefits review (1986)
Formation of joint Treasury and Health Department Hospital and Related Services Taskforce (1987)
Oranga Māori/Māori Health team ceases function (1987)
New Zealand Board of Health promoted Treaty of Waitangi as a document that had relevance to health (1987)
Royal Commission on Social Policy report released (1988)
Mason Report published concerning procedures in psychiatric hospitals in relation to admissions, discharge or release of patients (1988)
Report of the Cervical Cancer Inquiry (the Cartwright Report) released (1988)
Māori members appointed to Area Health Boards (1989)
Ministerial Advisory Committee on Māori Health (1989)
Hui of Māori Doctors (1981)
National Council of Māori Nurses (1983)
Guidance provided to hospitals and medical practices about working with Māori healers (1987)
Publication of Partnership Perspective (He Tirohanga Rangapu) published by Department of Māori Affairs (1988)
National Party elected (1990)
Ministerial Committee on the Funding and Provision of Health Services established (1990)
Health Research Council established (1990)
Area Health Boards replaced by Commissioners (1991)
Green and White paper encouraged Māori to provide health care services (1991)
Ngai Tahu Waitangi Tribunal report (1991)
Te Roroa Waitangi Tribunal report (1991)
Ethnicity question reintroduced into the NZ Census (1991)
Implementation of Ka Awatea regime by Te Puni Kokiri (1991)
User charges introduced to public hospitals (1992)
Public Health Commission established (1993)
Crown Health Enterprises established (1993)
Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) – four established: Northern RHA: established three Māori coordinating and co-purchasing organisations called MAPOs funding Māori health providers; Midland RHA: established four joint Māori venture boards; Central RHA: established 50 health nests called ‘Hauora Oranga’ involving Māori health providers; and Southern RHA: worked with Ngai Tahu. (1993)
PHARMAC (Pharmaceutical Management Agency established (1993)
Te Kete Hauora, the Māori Health Directorate, established in Ministry of Health (1993)
Department of Health became Ministry of Health (1993)
Transitional Assistance Grant Scheme established (1993)
Introduction of Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) Representation (1993)
Health Research Council funded two Māori research units including establishing a Māori Health Committee (1993)
Area Health Boards disestablished (1993)
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by New Zealand (1993)
Public re-emergence of Māori healers including the establishment of Ngā Ringa Whakahaere ō te Iwi Māori (1993)
Health and Disability Commissioner established (1994)
Three major hui held to discuss Māori health: Te Ara Ahu Whakamua; Ma Te Miori E Puri Te Maimoatanga Māori; and Hui Whai Maramatanga Whai Oranga (1994/1995)
Public Health Commission disestablished (1995)
National Kaitiaki Group established – Māori control and protection of Māori women’s cervical screening data (1995)
Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Amendment Act 1990
Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992
Health Sector (Transfers) Act 1993
Māori midwives meeting (1993)
Te Ao Mārama (Māori Dentists and Oral Health Workers Association) formed (1995)
Government approves health care provider purchaser of rongoā services in Napier (1995)
Māori Health Scholarships established (now known as Hauora Māori Scholarships) (1995)
Health Services Taskforce Report published (1991)
An Option for Māori released following the Green and White papers (1991)
Policy statement on Māori health released (1992)
Whaia te ora mo te iwi: strive for the good health of the people: government’s response to Māori issues in the health sector – Health and Disability Services Bill (1992)
Te Ara Ahu Whakamua: Strategic Direction for Māori Health published by Te Puni Kokiri (1993)
Mental Health Commission established (1996)
Hospital and Health Services established (1996)
Transitional Health Authority established 1997 and disestablished 1998
Vision 2020 project established to increase number of Māori doctors (1997)
Māori Health Commission established 1997 and disestablished 1999
Hospitals required to have a booking system for elective surgery (1998)
Health Funding Authority established (1998)
National Advisory Committee on Health and Disability Services established (1998)
Labour Party elected (1999)
Focus of Patients: Labour on Health policy released (1999)
Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa (Māori Medical Practitioners Association) established (1996)
Māori Provider Development Scheme introduced (1997)
Co-ordinated Care for Māori: Issues for Development released (1996)
Child Health Strategy released (1998)
Standards of Rongoā healing published (1999)
Rural Health Policy released (1999)
New Zealand Health Strategy released (2000)
New Zealand Disability Policy released (2001)
Improving Māori Health Policy released (2001)
Primary Health Care Strategy released (2001)
Kia Piki te Ora Māori Suicide Prevention Strategy released (2001)
The New Zealand Palliative Care Strategy released (2001)
A National Strategic Framework for Alcohol and Drug Services released (2001)
Minimum Requirements for Primary Health Organisations released (2001)
A Guide for Establishing Primary Health Organisations published by the Ministry of Health (2002)
Health of Older People Strategy 2002 released (2002)
He Korowai Oranga: Māori Health Strategy released (2002)
Te Puawaitanga, Māori Mental Health National Strategic Framework released (2002)
Whakatātaka: Māori Health Action Plan 2002– 2005 released (2002)
PHARMAC Māori Responsiveness Strategy launch (2002)
HIV/AIDS Action Plan Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy released (2003)
Healthy Eating: Healthy Action: Oranga Kai: Oranga Pumau Implementation Plan: 2004–2010 released (2004)
Te Tāhuhu: Improving Mental Health 2005–2015: The Second New Zealand Mental Health and Addiction Plan released (2005)
The New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy Action Plan 2005 – 2010 released (2005)
Tauawhitia te Wero: Embracing the Challenge: National mental health and addiction workforce development plan 2006-2009 released (2005)
Whakatātaka Tuarua: Māori Health Action Plan 2006–2011 released (2006)
Raranga Tupuake: The Māori Health Workforce Development Plan released (2006)
Treaty of Waitangi statements no longer included in Ministry of Health policies, action plans or contracts. Focus instead on improving Māori health outcomes and reducing health inequalities for Māori (2006)
New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy released (2006)
Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand Mental Health Survey published (2006)
Te Kōkiri: The Mental Health and Addiction Action Plan 2006-2015 released (2006)
Good Oral Health for All, for Life – A strategic vision for Oral health in New Zealand strategy released (2006)
Publication Review of Māori Child Oral Health Services published (2006)
Te Uru Kahikatea: Public Health Workforce Development Plan released (2007)
E Ara a Tauwhaiti Whakarae – National Māori Public Health Workforce Development Plan released (2007)
Te Puāwaiwhero the Second Māori Mental Health and Addiction National Strategic Framework 2008−2015 released (2008)
New Zealand Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2008–2012 released (2008)
Te Ao Auahatanga Māori Health Innovation Fund established (2009)
Better, Sooner, More Convenient policy (2009)
Whānau Ora: Report of the Taskforce on Whānau-Centred Initiatives released (2009)
Uia Tonutia: Māori Disability Research Agenda released (2011)
The Māori Disability Action Plan for Disability Support Services 2012 to 2017 released (2012)
Children’s Action Plan released (2012)
Rising to the Challenge: The Mental Health and Addiction Service Development Plan 2012–2017 released (2013)
New Zealand Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2013 – 2016 released (2013)
New Zealand Cancer Plan: Better, faster cancer care 2015–2018 strategy released (2014)
Tikanga ā-Rongoā – Rongoā standard released (2014)
The Guide to He Korowai Oranga: Māori Health Strategy released (2014)
Zero fee doctors’ visits for children aged under 13 introduced (2015)
Implementing Medicines New Zealand 2015 to 2020 – an action plan to the Medicines Strategy released (2015)
National Drug Policy 2015 to 2020 released (2015)
Living Well with Diabetes strategy released (2015)
20th anniversary of the Green Prescription initiative (2017)
Introduction of free chickenpox vaccination for 15 month olds (2017)
National Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) prevention programme launched (2017)
The New Zealand Health Strategy refreshed (2016)
New Zealand Disability and Policy Strategy 2016–2026 released (2016)
Pharmacy Action Plan 2016 to 2026 released (2016)
Taking Action on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder: 2016 to 2019: An Action Plan released (2016)
National Healthy Food and Drink Policy released (2016)
Healthy Ageing Strategy released (2016 Mental Health and Addiction Workforce Action Plan 2017 to 2021 released (2017)
New Zealand Health Research Strategy 2017 to 2027 released (2017)
Increasing Decreasing Organ Donation and Transplantation: A National Strategy released (2017)
Transforming Respite: Disability Support Services Respite Strategy 2017 to 2022 released (2017)
New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan: A framework for action (2017)
Faiva Ora 2016–2021 National Pasifika Disability Plan (2017)
Major review of health system launched (29th May 2018) - "The Review of the New Zealand Health and Disability Sector will be wide-ranging and firmly focused on a fairer future. It will look at the way we structure, resource and deliver health services – not just for the next few years but for decades to come."
Wai 2575 Hearings get underway (15th Oct 2018) - The Waitangi Tribunal Health Services and Outcomes Inquiry (Wai 2575) will hear all claims concerning grievances relating to health services and outcomes of national significance for Māori.
Health Coalition Aotearoa Launched (5th Nov 2018) - This mission of this organisation is to provide a collective voice and expert support for effective policies and actions to reduce the harm from tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy foods and to reduce inequities through a focus on the determinants of health.
Zero fees for Children under 14 years in General Practice Services Launched (1st Dec 2018)
Establishment Medicinal Cannabis Advisory Group (1st Dec 2018)
Mr Stephen McKernan starts as Acting Director-General (5th Feb 2018)
Dr Ashley Bloomfield starts as Director-General (11th June 2018)
Standardised Packaging begins in 2018 - The Government has approved regulations which will bring into force a tobacco standardised packaging regime from 14 March, 2018. Six weeks is allowed for old stock to be distributed and a further six weeks for that old stock to be sold, meaning that after 6 June 2018 only standardised packs will be able to be sold.
Whāia Te Ao Mārama 2018 to 2022: The Māori Disability Action Plan (released 4th Apr 2018)
Mental Health and Addiction Workforce Action Plan 2017–2021 (released 23rd Apr 2018)
Change to Family Funded Care Policy (19th Sep 2018) - On 19 September 2018, Cabinet Social Wellbeing Committee (SWC) agreed to announce that the Government intends to make changes to health Funded Family Care policies including the intention to repeal Part 4A of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 (Part 4A), and to undertake stakeholder engagement.
Christchurch mosque shootings (15th Mar 2019) - On Friday 15 March 2019, a gunman entered two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. He shot 91 people, killing 51 and wounding 40. A number of other people were physically injured, and a large group of New Zealanders watched the video of the attack, which was livestreamed and shared widely on Facebook.
Surgical Mesh Forums Start (22 July 2019) - The Ministry of Health's Director-General Dr Ashley Bloomfield has welcomed the chance for New Zealand men and women harmed by surgical mesh to participate in restorative justice forums.
Health and Disability System Review - Interim Report Released 3rd September 2019
Whakaari/White Island eruption (9th Dec 2019) - The volcanic eruption on December 9 in which 21 people lost their lives set in motion a massive national and international response in which the National Burn Service, hosted at Middlemore Hospital, played a key role, alongside district health boards, first responders and many more health staff involved in the wider response.
Carla na Nagara appointed as Director of the Suicide Prevention Office (21st Oct 2019)
Established of the Health Infrastructure Unit (21st Oct 2019)
New Zealand women to start cervical screening at 25 (14th Nov 2019)
50th Anniversary of Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme (12th Dec 2019)
Establishment the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme (1st Apr 2020) - The Medicinal Cannabis Scheme (the Scheme) started on 1 April 2020 with the commencement of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019. The Medicinal Cannabis Agency (the Agency) administers the Scheme, which includes a licensing regime for medicinal cannabis cultivation, manufacture and supply. The Scheme also includes the requirement for all medicinal cannabis products under the Scheme to consistently meet minimum standards of quality before they can be supplied.
The Health Minister released the Health and Disability System Review final report (16th June 2020)
Referendum on the End of Life Choice Act 2019 passes (6th Nov 2020)
Cannabis Legalisation and Control referendum does not pass (6th Nov 2020)
Smoke-free Environments (Prohibiting Smoking in Motor Vehicles Carrying Children) Amendment Act 2020
Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act 2020
Paramedics formally regulated under the Health Practitioner Competence Assurance Act (1st Jan 2020)
Diana Sarfati appointed Chief Executive of Cancer Control Agency (19th May 2020)
Chris Hipkins becomes COVID Response Minister (6th Nov 2020)
New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2019–2029 (released 3rd Feb 2020)
Ola Manuia: Pacific Health and Wellbeing Action Plan 2020–2025 (3rd Jun 2020)
Whakamaua: Māori Health Action Plan 2020-2025 (31st Jul 2020)
New Zealand Aotearoa Pandemic Response Policy for Aged Residential Care (17th Dec 2020)
First confirmed case of COVID-19 New Zealand (28th Feb 2020)
All arrivals from overseas (except Pacific) required to self-isolate for 14 days (14th Mar 2020)
All indoor gatherings of more than 100 people are to be cancelled (19th Mar 2020)
NZ Borders close to all but New Zealand citizens and permanent residents (19th Mar 2020)
The Government introduces the 4-tiered Alert Level system to help combat COVID-19 (21st Mar 2020)
COVID-19 (Epidemic Response) Select Committee Established (25th Mar 2020)
Rapid Audit of Contact Tracing for COVID-19 in New Zealand report published (20th Apr 2020)
Establishment of the Contact Tracing Assurance Committee (30th Apr 2020)
Auckland moves to Alert Level 3. The rest of New Zealand moves to Alert Level 2 (12th Aug 2020)
Auckland moves to Alert Level 2 joining the rest of New Zealand (31st Aug 2020)
All of New Zealand (except Auckland) move to Alert Level 1 (21st Sep 2020)
Managed Isolation Allocation System goes live (5th Oct 2020)
Charges for some users of Managed Isolation and Quarantine are introduced (11 Aug 2020)
COVID-19 Health and Disability System Response Plan (15th Apr 2020)
Stamp it out: Our plan to respond to new COVID-19 cases in the community (1st Jul 2020)
Rapid response to cases of COVID-19 in the community (1st Aug 2020)
COVID-19 Psychosocial and Mental Wellbeing Plan (21st Dec 2020)
COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Legislation Act 2020
COVID-19 Response (Requirements For Entities—Modifications and Exemptions) Act 2020
COVID-19 Response (Further Management Measures) Legislation Act 2020
COVID-19 Response (Further Management Measures) Legislation Act (No 2) 2020
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Regulations 2020
Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission launched as an independent Crown entity (9th Feb 2021)
Support and Consultation for End of Life in New Zealand (SCENZ) group formed (2nd Aug 2021)- this is the statutory body for the assisted dying service
Launched of the Health System Indicators framework (6th Aug 2021) - The Government’s reform of the health system took a big step forward with the unveiling of the system that will be used to hold it accountable and ensure it delivers more equitable healthcare for all New Zealanders.
Launch of Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard (8th Dec 2021) - The Minister of Health has approved the updated Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard (NZS 8134:2021) (‘the 2021 Standard’) for use under the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001. On 28 February 2022 the 2021 Standard will come into effect. The Minister of Health approved the 2021 Standard for use under the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001 on 24 June 2021.
Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Regulations 2021
Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Information Collection) Regulations 2021
Medicines (Assisted Dying Medications) Amendment Regulations 2021
Water Services Act 2021 - The Water Services Act gives Taumata Arowai the legal authority to carry out its duties as New Zealand’s dedicated water regulator. This represents a major transformational advance for the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders.
Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill passes first reading (27th Oct 2021)
Sharon Shea has been appointed as Co-Chair of the Māori Health Authority (1st Sept 2021)
Tipa Mahuta has been appointed Co-Chair of the Māori Health Authority (1st Sept 2021)
Rob Campbell has been appointed as the Chair of Health New Zealand (23rd Sept 2021)
Chinese medicine to be formally regulated - New Zealanders consulting practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine can be sure they are properly trained and registered, thanks to a new law coming into force (30 Oct 2021)
Pharmacist prescribers can now prescribe more medicines (10th Nov 2021)
The Suicide Prevention Office launched a website called He Kāpehu Whetū (27 Nov 2021)
Innovative partnership to reduce long term conditions and improve wellbeing (3 Dec 2021) - A new innovative partnership will help to improve the physical health and wellbeing of Māori and Pacific communities in South Auckland. The Ministry of Health is committing $500,000 in funding over two years to support Buttabean Motivation (BBM), led by David Letele.
Stroke Clot Retrieval: A National Service Improvement Programme Action Plan (1st Feb 2021)
Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard updated (27th July 2021)
Maternal Fetal Medicine - He Rongoā Mā Te Kukune Action Plan - Te Ahunga Matua (31st Aug 2021)
Kia Manawanui Aotearoa: Long-term pathway to mental wellbeing (1st Sept 2021)
Better Later Life – He Oranga Kaumātua 2019 to 2034 (30th Sep 2021)
Te Aorerekura: National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence (7th Dec 2021)
Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan - Auahi Kore Aotearoa Mahere Rautaki 2025 (9th Dec 2021)
Quarantine-free travel from the Cook Islands to New Zealand starts (31st Jan 2021)
Medsafe to provisionally approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (Comirnaty) (3rd Feb 2021)
Auckland moves to Alert Level 3. The rest of New Zealand moves to Alert Level 2 (14th Feb 2021)
Auckland moves to Alert Level 2. The rest of New Zealand moves to Alert Level 1 (17th Feb 2021)
COVID-19 Immunisation Programme starts and first MIQ workers receive vaccinations (21st Feb 2021)
Auckland moves to Alert Level 1 joining the rest of New Zealand (12th Mar 2021)
Quarantine-free travel from Niue to New Zealand starts (24th Mar 2021)
Quarantine-free travel arrangements between Aotearoa and Australia start on 19 April 2021
Wellington moves to Alert Level 1 joining the rest of New Zealand (29th June 2021)
National Booking System for COVID Vaccine Launched (29th July 2021)
Community Case identified in New Zealand with Delta variant of COVID-19 (17th Aug 2021)
All of New Zealand (except Auckland) move to Alert Level 2 (7th Sept 2021)
Auckland and Upper Hauraki move to Alert Level 3 (21st Sept 2021)
Alert Level 3 restrictions in Auckland are eased (5 Oct 2021)
The parts of Waikato at Alert Level 3 move to Step 1 of Alert Level 3 (27 Oct 2021)
Auckland moves to Alert Level 3 Step 2 at 11:59pm (9 Nov 2021)
Vaccine Passes were rolled out 17th November and were used from 2nd Dec 2021.
Aotearoa hits 90 percent fully vaccinated milestone (16 Dec 2021)
New COVID-19 drug (Ronapreve) approved that can treat and prevent COVID-19 (21 Dec 2021)
First community exposures from border-related Omicron case (29 Dec 2021)
Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for a narrow group of border workers and Government officials working at the border or an MIQ facility (1st May 2021) - The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021 outlines these requirements. On 14 July 2021, following an amendment to the Vaccinations Order, the rules for vaccination against COVID-19 was broadened to most border workers. Including airports and ports.
Mandatory vaccination for two workforces - High-risk workers in the health and disability sector to be fully vaccinated by 1 December, 2021, and to receive their first dose by 30 October and School and early learning staff and support people who have contact with children and students to be fully vaccinated by 1 January, 2022, and to receive their first dose by 15 November (11th Oct 2021)
Third primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine made available for severely immunocompromised (22 Oct 2021)
COVID-19 Testing Strategy for Aotearoa New Zealand (Nov 2021)
Workplace vaccination requirements extended to cover Police and NZ Defence Force (26th Nov 2021)
All of New Zealand moved to the COVID-19 Protection Framework (2 Dec 2021)
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Protection Framework) Order 2021
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) Amendment Order (No 5) 2021
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) Amendment Order (No 2) 2021
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border and Isolation and Quarantine) Amendment Order 2021