The Doctors NZ

15/05/2026

Receiving your blood test results

If test results are normal or as expected, we won’t routinely contact you. We will be in touch if anything requires follow-up. Some results may take longer to show in the app, and results from external providers won’t appear in the app.

Awanui can give you a copy of your results if you complete their request form and provide ID. For help understanding results, see: https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/b/blood-tests.

If you’re still unsure or concerned, please call us to book an appointment with your GP.

Find out about the most common types of blood test, how they're done and what happens after the test. Learn how to manage a fear of needles.

12/05/2026

Take charge of your healthcare

The Doctors App allows you to securely book, change and cancel appointments, request repeat prescriptions, view lab test results, and more.

The Doctors App is built to the highest standards for privacy and data protection. If you haven’t yet downloaded the app, you still can!

Get it on mobile via the Play Store (Android) or App Store (Apple). Enter your email address and select your practice.

Quick tip! To successfully register on the app, your email must match what your medical centre holds on file.

Download The Doctors App. Healthcare at your fingertips to book appointments, view test results, order repeat prescriptions, and more!

07/05/2026

Virtual GP service with Dr Lee👨‍⚕️

Dr Gavin Lee is available 10am - 2pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays for virtual appointments.

Dr Lee is part of our committed team working alongside our GPs, nurses, and wider support staff. He is not a locum doctor.

These appointments are designed to offer you greater flexibility and convenience — ideal for those with busy schedules and making it easier to access medical care without needing to step away from work or other commitments.

You can choose to:

*Attend your consultation from home or work via video or phone, or

*Come into the clinic and have your virtual consultation on-site, with support from our nursing and Healthcare Assistant (HCA) team if needed.

Please note that you will need The Doctors App for video appointments, as consultations are accessed via the app’s built-in video calling function. If you haven’t downloaded the app yet, there’s still time — see below for details.

To book a virtual GP appointment with Dr Lee, please contact our Patient Experience Coordinators at The Doctors Huapai on 09 412 9133. They will guide you on whether a virtual consultation is suitable for your health needs, and will arrange a time that works for you.

07/05/2026

⚠️ Important Notice – Temporary Relocation of Services ⚠️

The Doctors Huapai is currently experiencing a major IT issue.

As a result, ALL services will be temporarily relocated to The Doctors Waimauku on Thursday 7 May and Friday 8 May.

We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding while we work to resolve the issue.

04/05/2026

🤓💡Some facts about asthma that you may not have heard about! Did you know that asthma tends to run in families and could be inherited? 😮‍💨🫁It affects 1 in 8 people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Check out the important work of ➡️ asthmafoundation.org.nz for more info!

If you or your whānau have asthma, our team at The Doctors can offer comprehensive care and treatment. Have a chat to one of our clinics near you to find out more.

04/05/2026

Book your winter vaccines now!

Getting vaccinated is a simple step that can make a big difference 💪 to your health this autumn and winter.❄️ If you’d like to learn more about which vaccines are recommended for you at this time of year, please book an appointment with a GP or nurse.

To book, use The Doctors App or call us.

03/05/2026

Today marks the start of New Zealand Sign Language Week! Fun fact: it's been 20 years since NZSL became an official language of Aotearoa New Zealand🎉. Check out the amazing work of NZSL here➡️ https://nzsignlanguage.nz/

Illustration credit: https://nzsignlanguage.nz/

02/05/2026

Did you know that some of our practices offer free 🆓✅appointments with our HIPs and Health Coaches? Find out a bit more about what they do here! 🤩✨

02/05/2026

As autumn rolls around 🍂, so does the flu season 🤧. The best way to protect you and your whānau is by getting a flu vaccine every year. And thankfully, getting the vaccination is an easy process. The best time to get the vaccine is mid to late April. This will support your immunity 🛡️ during the peak flu season from late July to August. 💪

Book an appointment for a flu shot at your practice today.

02/05/2026

Vaccines to consider this season

1. Influenza (flu) vaccine

The flu changes each year, so annual vaccination is recommended. It helps protect against the most common circulating strains and reduces the risk of severe illness. The flu vaccine is funded for eligible groups, including people aged 65+, pregnant people, and those with certain health conditions. If you do not fit the eligibility criteria for a funded flu vaccine, you can still get the flu vaccine with us for a small fee.

2. Covid-19 vaccine

Covid continues to circulate in the community. Staying up to date with boosters helps maintain protection. Covid vaccines are free for everyone aged 5 and over in NZ. They are also available to tamariki from 6 months who are at greater risk of severe illness if they were to get Covid. Timing of boosters will depend on your previous doses.

3. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine

RSV can cause serious illness in babies, older adults and those with a weakened immune system. The Arexvy® vaccine protects against RSV infection. It’s for people who are 60 years of age and older, or adults 50 to 59 years of age who are at increased risk for RSV. It isn’t funded in NZ.

4.Shingles vaccine

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus and can lead to long-lasting nerve pain. While it can occur at any time of year, now is a good time to consider vaccination alongside the flu vaccine. Shingrix® (the shingles vaccine) is recommended for adults aged 50 and over. It is funded for people aged 65, and for those aged 18+ who are at increased risk of shingles.

Our team can help you decide which vaccines are right for you this winter.

29/04/2026

Protect yourself and your whānau this winter❄️

Why get vaccinated? Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your whānau from winter illness. Vaccines help your immune system recognise and fight 💪infections, which can:

*Reduce your risk of getting seriously unwell
*Lower the chance of hospitalisation
*Help protect vulnerable people around you
*Support community immunity during the autumn and winter peak.

Even if you’re generally healthy, vaccination can reduce the severity of illness and minimise time off work or school. This is especially important for:

*People aged 65+
*Pregnant people
*Babies and young children
*People with long-term health conditions.

28/04/2026

Today is World Day for Safety and Health at Work 👷‍♀️ 🦺. Collectively, we can all take action to improve the safety and health of everyone at work.
Check out the important mahi of Work Safe to find out more:
https://worksafe.govt.nz/

26/04/2026

😵‍💫😨 Anxiety is common and can become a silent, crippling issue that impacts everyday life😖. In case you didn’t know or need a reminder, if think you might be dealing with anxiety, you should have a chat to a GP. Our team can help you through the options available and refer you to the right support. 🤗🫶🏻🥹❤️‍🩹

24/04/2026

Today marks the beginning of the World Immunisation Week 💉🛡️💥🩸(24-30 April). This is an amazing opportunity for us to highlight the crucial and life-saving power of immunisation.

We’d like to take this opportunity to remind you all to keep up to date with your vaccinations. Flu season is upon us as well🤒, and guess what? Around this time is actually the best time for you and your whānau to get your flu vaccination. So, don’t wait around and book yourself and your whānau in for a flu shot today!👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

23/04/2026

FYI, our centres 🏥 will be closed on Anzac Day. It’s a good idea to plan ahead for repeat prescriptions and routine appointments. For urgent or after-hours care🔴, please visit your nearest after-hours facility. For general health advice, call Healthline on 0800 611 116. In an emergency, call 111.
*🔴Our urgent care centres (The Doctors Onehunga, The Doctors Middlemore, and Team Medical) will remain open.
Visit our website👆 or click the link in our bio to find out about centres opening hours.

20/04/2026

There’s a whole team of people 🤜🤛 from various walks of life and expertise behind every general practice team👤👤👤 working collaboratively to for our patients and their needs. Have a flick through the slides 🎢 to see each role. Have our team take care of you, click the link below to find out more:
https://www.thedoctors.co.nz/healthcare-team

16/04/2026

❓Quick quiz: ❓When's the best time to get a flu shot? Got a guess? Scroll down the caption to find the answer. 👇⏬

We know that the best way to protect🛡️yourself and your whānau from the flu virus is by getting a flu vaccine but did you know that it takes up to 2 weeks before your body can start protecting you from the flu? If that's the case, when should you get the flu vaccine? 🤔🤔

If you thought mid to late April, then you thought CORRECT✅. The best time to get a flu shot is just before the start of the winter season. This will support your immunity during the peak flu season from late July to August.

13/04/2026

When you enrol📝 with one of our practices, you’ll be able to get access to The Doctors App 📲where you can manage your appointments, request repeat prescriptions, access your health information, and so much more.
Click the link below to find out more:

https://www.thedoctors.co.nz/the-doctors-app

10/03/2026

12-month scripts

From Feb 2026, repeat prescriptions are available for longer periods (up to 12 months) for long-term medications when your condition is stable, and no medication alterations are needed. The decision to approve or decline a medication lies with the prescriber. A consultation is required for this to ensure your condition and treatment is appropriate.

08/03/2026

Meet the team

Here we introduce (and reintroduce!) you to our team members, so you can get to know the friendly faces behind your care!

Dr Charles Sanders - The Doctors Huapai

Dr Charles Sanders trained at Stellenbosch University in South Africa and moved to New Zealand in 1996 to join The Doctors. His areas of special interest include diving medicine, minor surgery, geriatrics, wellness, and healthy aging.

Outside of work, he enjoys life on his family’s lifestyle block, where he keeps busy tending to his sheep.

06/03/2026

Protect your heart with early screening.

Early detection plays a key role in reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. A Cardiovascular Risk Assessment (CVRA), also known as a heart check, helps estimate your risk of having a cardiovascular event in the next five years.

CVRAs are carried out by our specialist nurses and include a review of your medical history, lifestyle factors, blood pressure, and relevant blood tests. Follow-up and monitoring is tailored to your individual risk.

Men should screen from ages 45–74 and women from 55–74, though some people may need earlier screening based on risk factors.

If you’re due for a heart check or would like to learn more, please call us to book an appointment with one of our nurses