Health NZ - Lakes

29/04/2026

Consultant Surgeon Ian Ong spent time at Lakes as a surgical registrar and liked it so much, he’s come back as a consultant.

He finished his specialist training and worked in large hospitals in Melbourne and Edinburgh for several years.

“My goal was always to come home to New Zealand,” Ian says.

“When this position in Rotorua came up, it was the perfect storm of good timing, and the right job, in a great place for my family where we had previously had good memories.

“We both felt that it is a nice place for our five year old son to grow up and be in touch with what it means to be in New Zealand and be around the outdoors and nature.”

"I like that we are a small enough hospital for me to get to know everyone quite quickly.

“There are lots of familiar faces and people I had worked with seven years ago. It felt very welcoming and like coming home. That’s what we were after.”

28/04/2026

🛡️ Give your tamariki their own shield of protection through immunisation!

Whooping cough can be serious for babies, but protection can start early. When someone who is pregnant receives a free whooping cough immunisation during pregnancy, it helps protect their baby during their first weeks of life.

Babies then build their own protection with immunisations at 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months. Booster doses help keep protection strong throughout life.

Talk to your usual health provider or pharmacist, or visit www.healthnz.govt.nz/health-topics/immunisations to find out more and book an immunisation.

17/04/2026

💥 The bowel screening age has been lowered.
💥 If you're turning 58 or 59, you can now join in the bowel screening programme.
💥 You don't need to do anything right now.
💥 You'll receive a free bowel screening kit in the post around your birthday.
💥 When it arrives, do it and send it back 💥

Watch this heart-warming advert, so you know what to expect.

16/04/2026

Life begins with hā (breath), but Whooping Cough can threaten that precious life force.

Whooping cough spreads easily and can cause bad coughing making it very hard for pēpi/babies to breathe. Especially newborn pēpi who haven’t had their 6-week immunisations.

If you’re hapū/pregnant, a free whooping cough vaccine from 13 weeks can protect your pēpi by passing on immunity until they’re old enough for their own immunisations at 6 weeks old. Boosters at 4 and 11 years help keep protection strong.

Protect your taonga. 💙

Book an immunisation today with your usual doctor, Hauora Māori or Pacific health provider, pharmacy, or online at bookmyvaccine.nz

11/04/2026

In case of power outages or if you or your whānau need to leave quickly:
❤️ Ensure phones, medical devices, and their batteries are charged.
❤️ If anyone in your whare/home takes medication, now's a good time to pop them into your GRAB/GO bag along bottled water. If medication is kept in the fridge, check the lids are firmly on and the'yre in a handy place to grab and go.
❤️ If you are medically dependent on electricity, please ensure your power company knows about your needs.
❤️ If you are medically vulnerable and in areas at risk of flooding or rural locations, please check if family or friends can contact you for check-ins or stay with them instead.

For free, 24/7 health advice, call Healthline 0800 611 116. If you’re based rurally, you can call 0800 KA ORA (0800 252 672) to speak with a nurse or doctor.

Stay safe everyone ❤️

09/04/2026

The Lakes Community Oral Health Service provides FREE oral health services for children.

The school holidays is a good time to bring your children to have FREE dental check-ups and care if needed.

Dental clinics are OPEN and located in Rotorua and Taupō.

Good oral health is an important part of overall wellbeing especially for young children.

Call 0800 Lakes Teeth, 0800 525 378, to book an appointment at one of the school dental clinics in Rotorua or Taupō.

06/04/2026

MetService New Zealand has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane, including Rotorua - due to hit late this evening🟠

Follow Rotorua Lakes Council and Bay of Plenty Civil Defence for the latest updates.

Rain, rain go away...🙄

MetService New Zealand has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane, including Rotorua - due to hit late this evening🟠

Expect 100 to 140mm of rain, especially inland. Peaks rates of 25 to 40mm/h possible in localised downpours and possible thunderstorms tomorrow (Weds 8 April). ☔️⛈️

As always, follow all safety instructions and give us a call to report weather-related issues (07) 348 4199 (24/7)

☂️Avoid low-lying areas, waterways and never enter flood waters.
☂️Avoid unnecessary travel or if you must, drive to the conditions.
☂️be cautious and alert for treefalls and slips on roads.
☂️If safe, check gutters and drains around your property.
☂️In an emergency call 111.

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence

02/04/2026

Summer days are officially over – we jump at the chance to enjoy time with whānau and friends – and enjoy the beautiful waters of Aotearoa over a long weekend.

A quick mission to the coast, an early fish, a swim, a dive.

These are moments that feel easy, familiar - and often, unplanned. But these are also the moments where risks can quietly increase.

Because too often, people head out alone.

In Aotearoa’s waters we must expect the unexpected. If you are by yourself, there’s no one to help you when things go wrong.

The conditions may be changing but the risk does not.

Water Safety New Zealand is asking all New Zealanders to make one simple decision on public holiday weekends and every weekend:

Love the water? Share it with a mate.

When something unexpected happens – and it can happen fast – having someone there can make all the difference.

Go together. Come home together.

Know your limits and the conditions

31/03/2026

Winter is approaching. Protect yourself and your family.

Flu vaccines are available starting today, 1 April, to safeguard you and your community this winter.

Alongside flu, Covid, and whooping cough also spread more easily in colder months. Immunisation effectively reduces severe illness, hospitalisation, and the spread of winter viruses.

✅ Flu vaccines available now
✅ Covid vaccines year-round; ensure you’re up-to-date before winter
✅ Free vaccines for those aged 65+, anyone who is pregnant, and people with certain health conditions.

👶 Protect pēpi this winter
Whooping cough (pertussis) can be serious for babies. Pregnant women should get immunised to pass some immunity to newborns until they receive their own immunisations at 6 weeks. (Ensure baby's immunisations are timely!)

You can book vaccines at many pharmacies, GPs, Hauora Māori, and Pacific health providers, as well as some midwives and community vaccinators.

📅 Book your vaccination online at 👉 bookmyvaccine.health.nz

In addition to vaccination, prevent winter illness by staying home if unwell, washing hands frequently, and practicing good hygiene.

30/03/2026

Things we like with wings:
🪽 kererū
🪽 butterflies
🪽 wing mirrors
🪽 cat-eyes
🪽 hospital wings
🪽 Red Bull “gives you wiiings”
🪽 sanitary pads
🪽 rescue helicopters
🪽 BBQ wings
🪽 watching the west wing

Things we don’t like with wings:
🦟 mosquitoes 😩