Nelson Bays Primary Health

31/07/2025

Kia ora! 🌿 Today, members of Te Tumu Whakaora (our Māori Advisory Board) came together kanohi ki te kanohi for our hui.

Te Tumu Whakaora plays a vital role in supporting Nelson Bays Primary Health to improve Māori health outcomes across our region.

Through strong Māori leadership and a deep commitment to tikanga, Te Tumu Whakaora helps guide our organisation toward achieving Pae Ora – healthy individuals, healthy whānau, and healthy environments.

This mahi reflects a collective responsibility to embed equity, partnership, and Māori aspirations across all levels of our health system.

We’re grateful for the continued guidance and kōrero shared today.

30/07/2025

The state of local emergency for the Nelson Tasman region has expired. The region has now moved to a local transition period to support the recovery from the recent severe weather and flooding.

29/07/2025

Here's an update from our Hydrology team on the unfolding situation across Tasman on the back of the recent MetService forecast.

Overall, it's an improving situation; however focus areas remain the same but with downgraded risk levels.

The Tākaka Hill area, both the Golden Bay and Riwaka sides, has slips and windfall being the highest impact risk here.

The Upper Motueka catchment and the Upper Wai-iti catchment with impact from flood flows driven by rainfall in the top of these catchments. The predicted flood flows continue to reduce for these areas, with annual flood flows at the top end of these river catchments likely.

There is more certainty that we will not see high flows into south-western catchments of the Motueka, like the Motupiko and Tadmor.

On the current forecast flows down the main stem of the Motueka through to Tapawera, while high, will again be more at an annual flood flow ballpark.

Slips and treefall continue to be an area of high concern in several places around the District. But with more certainty that the timing of the highest wind speeds during the middle of the data will present from a northerly direction. This does lessen the risk of associated treefall for the Mārahau through to Brooklyn areas.

Timing of heaviest rainfall and associated flood peaks remains the same as previously advised.
Golden Bay early afternoon , Richmond/Nelson side more like early evening.

Golden Bay rivers are currently on the rise but would be expecting upper catchments to peak in the next hour or so, although rainfall remains consistent at this point.

Golden Bay Ranges has had over 100mm so far today, with 70mm on Tākaka Hill and 20-30mm or less elsewhere. The Upper Motueka area has had even less, more in the 10mm total range so far.

There is a low chance of any convective, thunderstorm activity with this event, yet if they do occur, higher rainfall intensities are likely to come near the end of this rain period. That being around midday for Golden Bay/Tākaka Hill, and late afternoon on the eastern side of Motueka through to Nelson/Richmond.

Metservice has lessened the risk of upgrade across the board, which is also reflected in our reduced flood flow outlook.

Both slips and treefall remain the main area of concern and their potential impacts to the roading network in particular.

As usual, our Council and Civil Defence teams are keeping a close eye on the situation, and will keep you updated as it evolves.

Links for more information:
• MetService warnings: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -south.
• Updates on local road conditions: https://buff.ly/0B3Horm
• Updates on state highway conditions: https://buff.ly/CTNDHKU
• River flow reports: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/flow-report/
• Rainfall reports: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/report/

28/07/2025

Tuesday 29 July 2025 - 5:45pm update

🟠 MetService New Zealand Orange Rain Warnings for Tasman from Motueka westwards, Tasman east and south of Motueka, and Nelson City District, remain in place tonight.

👋🏼 The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) will remain activated tonight, to support any ongoing response needs.

KEY MESSAGES

🚗 Driving.
Please continue to avoid non-essential travel, there may be surface flooding, and an ongoing risk of slips on the road. If you do have to drive, take extra caution driving in the dark.

You see the updated map of local roads AND State Highways at:
https://shorturl.at/xGQRO

😕Feeling Unsafe.
If you feel unsafe, self-evacuate.

If you or your family are at risk, immediately contact emergency services, dial 111.

🤍Welfare.
If you feel at risk, or require support and information, the Civil Defence Centre at Tapawera Community Centre will remain open overnight.

The Civil Defence Centre at Wakefield – St John's Church will close at 6pm.

For any urgent welfare needs, you can call Tasman District Council at 03 543 8400

If you are feeling anxious, distressed, or overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, call or txt 1737, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

🚰Boil Water Notice.
Tasman residents, especially those within the affected zone of the last two flooding events are advised to boil water before use.

If you have a private bore, anywhere in the district, it is recommended that you boil your water following the recent flooding. Shallow bores in any location can be contaminated from surface water, but especially when there has been heavy rain and groundwater levels rise to be much closer to the surface than normal.

More information on boiling water can be found on the Tasman District Council - Te Kaunihera o te tai o Aorere website: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-region/flood-recovery/drinking-water-from-a-private-bore

🌊 A rāhui remains in place across Nelson Tasman, a rāhui is a mechanism used to as a health and safety measure for the health of our community. Testing is conducted daily, and the rāhui will be lifted when our science advisors and iwi agree to do so.

👉Stay up to date.
Keep up to date with MetService forecast and conditions at: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -south

If there are further developments overnight, we will update here on Facebook, and on the Nelson Tasman, CDEM webpage at https://www.nelsontasmancivildefence.co.nz/

Further information on flood recovery can be found on the Tasman District Council website: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-region/flood-recovery
_____________________________________

11:15am update

🌧️ MetService New Zealand has updated the forecast this morning, and while the rainfall is expected to fall over a 16 hour period, we are preparing to respond should we need to. Our region has taken a bit of a hammering over the past couple month, so we are being cautious.

Our Emergency Operations Centre is activated this morning. This includes support from experienced staff from around the country, so that we are prepared should we need to be.

👉 KEY MESSAGES

⛐ Avoid non-essential travel, there may be surface flooding, and a risk of slips occurring.

Welfare.
Civil Defence Centres are open at the following locations. If you feel at risk, or require support the following locations are open:

👉 Tapawera Community Centre (open at midday)
👉 Wakefield - St Johns Church (open now)

Roading
Slips are possible with this event, especially in the Takaka and Mārahau areas, which are still quite wet.

❌ NZTA have announced that Rocks Road will be closed due to the weather from 11:45am - 1:30pm (the closure may remain in place longer depending on weather conditions).

Tasman District Council - Te Kaunihera o te tai o Aorere are monitoring their roads, and may pre-emptively close some of the more vulnerable roads if conditions worsen.
Please keep an eye on local roads at: https://roadinfo.ramm.com/nz/roadclosuremap.html...
And State Highways at: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/.../nelson-and-marlborough

The MetService forecast is as follows:

🟠Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Period: 13 Hours, from 9am to 10pm Tue, 29 Jul.
Area: Tasman from Motueka westwards
Forecast: Expect a further 70 to 90 mm on top of what has already fallen. Rainfall intensities may reach 15 to 20 mm per hour until early afternoon. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

🟠Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Period: 14hrs from 9am - 11pm Tue, 29 Jul
Area: Tasman east and south of Motueka, excluding Nelson City District.
Forecast: Expect a further 70 to 90 mm of rain on top of what has already fallen, particularly about the Gordon and Richmond Range, and 40 to 60 mm elsewhere. Rainfall intensities of 15 to 20 mm per hour are possible, especially during the afternoon. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

🟠Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Period: 15hrs from 9am - midnight Tue, 29 Jul.
Area: Nelson City District and Marlborough west of Havelock and north of the Wairau River.
Forecast: Expect a further 60 to 90 mm of rain on top of what has already fallen, especially in the ranges. Rainfall intensities of 15 to 20 mm per hour are possible, especially during the afternoon. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.
Keep up to date with the forecasts at https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -south

______________

7:20am update

🌧️ There's been no major updates over night as the rain moved in this morning.

The Emergency Operations Centre is activated with Nelson Tasman Emergency Management being supported by Emergency Management Specialists from around New Zealand.

The heavier rainfall began before 6am and will continue through until 6 pm. With high tide at 12 pm coinciding with the strongest winds, we are asking that people take care on all our roads (especially our coastal routes), and only travel if necessary.

We will continue to update this page.

28/07/2025

MetService New Zealand has updated the forecast this morning, and while the rainfall is expected to fall over a 16 hour period, we are preparing to respond should we need to. Our region has taken a bit of a hammering over the past couple month, so we are being cautious.

Our Emergency Operations Centre is being monitored overnight and activated early tomorrow morning. This includes support from experienced staff from around the country, so that we are prepared should we need to be.

A big factor with this event is the direction of the wind. If the wind does move more to the North East (instead of Northerly), then rainfall is more likely to accumulate in some of those more vulnerable catchments of the Upper Wai-iti and Upper Motueka Rivers. Those areas that were damaged previously are being asked to take care. Stock should be moved to higher ground, and extreme caution should be taken around waterways.

Slips are possible with this event, especially in the Takaka and Mārahau areas, which are still quite wet.

🚗Tasman District Council - Te Kaunihera o te tai o Aorere are monitoring their roads, and may pre-emptively close some of the more vulnerable roads if conditions worsen.

Please keep an eye on local roads at: https://roadinfo.ramm.com/nz/roadclosuremap.html?region=tasman
And State Highways at: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/nelson-and-marlborough

The MetService forecast is as follows:

🟧 ⚠️ Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Period: 16hrs from 2am - 6pm Tue, 29 Jul
Area: Tasman from Motueka westwards
Forecast: Expect 130 to 180 mm in a strong northerly flow. Rainfall intensities may reach 15 to 20 mm per hour, especially from mid-morning until early afternoon. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

🟧 ⚠️ Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Period: 16hrs from 5am - 9pm Tue, 29 Jul
Area: Nelson City District and Marlborough west of Havelock and north of the Wairau River
Forecast: Expect 70 to 100 mm of rain, especially in the ranges. Rainfall intensities of 15 mm per hour are possible, especially during the afternoon. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

🟧 ⚠️ Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Period: 16hrs from 5am - 9pm Tue, 29 Jul
Area: Tasman east and south of Motueka, excluding Nelson City District
Forecast: Expect 100 to 130 mm of rain in a strong northerly flow, particularly about the Gordon, Richmond and Bryant Ranges, and 70 to 90 mm elsewhere. Rainfall intensities of 15 mm per hour are possible, especially during the afternoon. High chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Dangerous river conditions, flooding, and slips likely. Dangerous driving conditions and road closures are expected.
Action: Do not enter floodwaters and avoid unnecessary travel. Be ready for communication and power outages. Be prepared to self-evacuate if you see rising water.

Keep up to date with the forecasts at https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -south

25/07/2025

Early advice on upcoming weather next week 🌧

The Tasman District can expect a significant weather event to impact the region from this coming Tuesday.

"While it's still early days, this event has the potential to be significant, especially given the recent floods our community has endured," said Tasman Mayor Tim King.

"The affected area is broad, encompassing all of Golden Bay, over Tākaka Hill to Riwaka, Mārahau, and Brooklyn, as well as the entire Motueka catchment.”

“It also extends along the Richmond Ranges, through Richmond and Nelson, the Wai-iti and Moutere valleys and the Marlborough Sounds. There's also moderate confidence of heavy rain in the Buller area through to the Lakes."

“Infrastructure crews, both Council staff and contractors, are continually assessing systems to ensure they can effectively respond and maintain our community lifelines."

“Residents are strongly encouraged to prepare for potential flooding. Now is a good time to take reasonable measures to ensure your safety and that of your neighbours.”

“The situation should be clearer on Monday, but I urge residents to keep an eye on the forecast as it is updated. “

Read more from our Hydrology team about what is expected, but keep in mind that this is a very early update and is likely to change before Tuesday: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/early-advice-on-upcoming-weather

25/07/2025

Strengthening Primary Care in New Zealand 🏥 The Minister of Health’s speech at GP25 today laid out a bold and comprehensive strategy to future-proof primary care, recognising it as the cornerstone of a strong health system.

These reforms are backed by a $447 million investment in Budget 2025 in the following areas:
Workforce Investment: Building the GP Pipeline 🎓
• Fully funded GP training through the General Practice Education Programme (GPEP), including exam fees and all training years, removes one of the biggest financial barriers for aspiring GPs
• Expanded medical school placements: 25 more spots annually, plus a new Waikato medical school focused on rural and primary care
• New graduate pathways: Up to 50 NZ-trained doctors per year will train in primary care settings starting in 2026
• Nurse practitioner boost: 120 funded training places annually from 2026, plus advanced education support for 120 primary care nurses each year
• International recruitment: Streamlined process for 100 overseas-trained doctors to enter primary care training

Funding Reform: Fairer, Smarter, More Targeted 💰
• Capitation formula reweighting from July 2026 to include morbidity, rurality, and deprivation, ensuring funding reflects patient need
• $285 million performance-based funding over three years to improve access, incentivise immunisation, and support minor procedures in general practice
• Enhanced capitation payments tied to outcomes and activity-based targets, encouraging innovation and expanded services

Access & Equity: Care When It’s Needed Most ⏱️
• New access target: 80% of patients to be seen within a week, co-designed with the sector to be ambitious and achievable
• 24/7 digital GP service launching mid-2025, offering subsidised care for those unable to see their regular doctor
• Letter of expectation to PHOs and practices, prioritising immunisation and cost transparency

Sector Voice & Strategic Planning 🗣️
• Primary Care Advisory Group established to ensure general practice has a formal seat at the decision-making table
• Regular reviews of funding models and strategic planning to ensure long-term
sustainability

24/07/2025

Free Wellbeing Workshops - Men's Group Sessions! 🌿 We are hosting free community wellbeing workshops across our region and we have the following upcoming Men’s Group Sessions:
📅 Tuesday 27 August and Tuesday 3 September 2025
⏰ 5.30 - 8.30pm
📍 NBPH Offices – 281 Queen Street, Richmond
🔗 To register, email: reception@nbph.org.nz or call 03 539 1170
🔍 For all upcoming sessions, visit: www.nbph.org.nz/services/news

24/07/2025

In the Thursday flood recovery update we're looking at the coming weather, financial assistance and your health.

Weather watch continues.
Now is the time to consider your circumstances as we await further information from MetService about what the weather is likely to bring us next week.
Forecasters are yet to firm up their predictions but are suggesting we could get heavy rain for a period on Tuesday. That rain could be accompanied by strong winds. With the ground still drying out, there’s potential for slips and for already weakened trees to fall.
Nelson Tasman Civil Defence Emergency Management is closely monitoring the situation and preparing people and resources to act rapidly if needed.
MetService says any watches or warnings are likely to be issued at the weekend when there’s some certainty in the forecast.
Stay up to date with watches and warnings by clicking this link Weather Warnings & Watches | MetService

Financial help
If you’re struggling to meet your essential costs, Work and Income might be able to help you. Even if you’re working.
Everyone’s situation is different. Work and Income may be able to help you pay for things like:
• bedding,
• food,
• rent,
• power bills,
• repairs, or
• replacing appliances.
What you can get and if you need to pay it back depends on your situation.
Visit www.workandincome.govt.nz or call 0800 559 009 for more information.
Applications for financial assistance must be made by the end of the day tomorrow – Friday 25 July.

The other avenue for financial help is the Mayoral Relief Fund.
The fund can help alleviate the emotional stress and personal financial stress by covering the costs of cleaning up that are not covered by insurance or funded elsewhere.
What it may look like but isn’t restricted to:
• Difficulty paying for your essential living costs (such as food, medication, accommodation)
• Difficulty paying for additional costs that may not be paid for by your insurer (for example clean up, disposal of goods).
Applications can be made on the Tasman District Council website at https://www.tasman.govt.nz/ or pick up a form from any of our council service centres.

Health
When times are tough, it is normal to feel a bit worried, frustrated or overwhelmed. As we recover, going back to basics and focussing on the thing we can control, can really help.
Top tips for looking after yourself and others can be found at:
- www.allright.org.nz/coping-tough-times
- www.sparklers.org.nz/parenting/supporting-kids-after-floods/
- www.farmstrong.co.nz/
- www.hewakaora.nz/
If you or someone you know is struggling, there is free help available. Free call or text 1737 anytime, 24 hours a day. You can also call Lifeline on 0800543354 or text HELP to 4357.
If you have health questions, phone Healthline on 0800 611 116. Healthline is staffed by experienced registered nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In an emergency, always call 111.

Nelson Bays Primary Health provides fully funded GP appointments for individuals directly impacted by the floods. They understand the impact the floods have had on our community and are here to support you and your whānau in accessing the care you need.
To contact Nelson Bays Primary Health phone 0800 731 317, email info@nbph.org.nz, or visit www.nbph.org.nz

24/07/2025

We had a lovely Mid Winter Xmas Luncheon with the Saxton Seniors today. A massive thank you to Ziblings for doing the catering, Nelson Bays Primary Health for their ongoing support of the group through providing morning tea and CLM for their provision of the venue and organising the Saxton Seniors and the Luncheon.

Saxton Seniors is a walking group and is held twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursday. It includes seated exercises and laps of the Stadium on a flat safe surface followed by a cup of tea and snacks. It is an accredited Falls Prevention programme through ACC. If you are interested, please contact the Stadium on 5380072 or saxton@clmnz.co.nz

23/07/2025

Are you worried about online scams or unsure which apps are safe? Join in for a friendly and informative morning all about online safety for older adults - Stay Safe Online - Nelson Tasman Positive Ageing Forum . 📆 When: Tuesday 29 July, 10am - 11:30am 📌 Where: Motueka Over 50s Social Hub, 10