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25/11/2025
With a current outbreak of measles in Aotearoa New Zealand, many parents have questions about measles and immunisation. We crowdsourced some questions about MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) immunisation for babies/pēpi and put them to Paediatrician Dr Owen Sinclair (Te Rarawa).
If you still have questions, reach out to your usual doctor/GP, Hauora Māori or Pacific health provider. You can also call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 28 29 26. They're open from 8.30am-9pm, Mon-Fri and 8.30am - 2pm, Sat and Sun.
Learn more at: info.health.nz/measles
23/11/2025
Korowai Aroha in partnership with Paratehoata marae, Ohinemutu is running a FREE hauora clinic this afternoon from 3.00pm to 6.00pm.
Health screenings, social support, mirimiri, respiratory clinics on offer- all free.
19/11/2025
Your questions about measles symptoms, answered! We crowdsourced some questions from you, and put them to Paediatrician, Dr Owen Sinclair (Te Rarawa).
If you still have questions, you can talk to your usual GP/Hauora or Pacific health provider, or for immunisation questions call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 28 29 26. They're open from 8.30am - 9pm, Mon-Fri, and 8.30am - 2pm, Sat and Sun. 😀
Find out more at info.health.nz/measles
18/11/2025
Congratulations to Dr Georgia Williams who is New Zealand’s Junior Doctor of the Year.
We are very proud that she is the third winner of the award to come from Rotorua Hospital in the past five years.
The award is presented annually to junior doctors across Australia and New Zealand in recognition of those who have made significant contributions to improving prevocational medical education and training.
“I was very shocked and quite shy about it, but I’ve come to be more excited and proud of Rotorua as a hospital. We work as a team and this serves as recognition of that.
“It’s a win for the hospital. It’s for Rotorua, not just any one person. I love working here. It’s a great size and I believe we operate as a whānau. Everyone’s working together for the best of our community.
Georgia thinks Rotorua’s secret to producing three Doctors of the Year since 2021 is the attraction of the location itself.
“It seems to attract like-minded people. People who want to work hard but also be outside in the forest or on the lakes.
“Rotorua is a great place to be a junior doctor. It’s supportive and I truly believe it’s like a whānau.”
Georgia grew up in Rotorua and is a University of Otago graduate.
Congratulations Georgia on your fantastic win.
In 2024 the award was presented to Dr Fatima Hakak and in 2021 to Dr Tawa Armstrong.
12/11/2025
Do you know a health volunteer who deserves an award? Nominate them today!
This is an amazing way to celebrate the incredible volunteers who play a huge part in supporting our health system!
Health Warning for Lake Okaro near Rotorua
A health warning has been issued due to a bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae. These blooms can move around the lake.
🏥 Public Health Advice
- Avoid activities that involve significant contact with the water.
- Stay away from water that looks a funny colour, smells unusual, or has scum or leathery mats of algae.
✳️ Health Risks
- Toxins from the algae can cause numbness, breathing problems, asthma attacks, skin rashes, stomach upsets, and eye problems.
ℹ️ More Information
- Toxic algae:
New Zealand's most comprehensive source of water quality, water quantity and air quality data.
05/11/2025
Now is the perfect time to check your immunisation status and book your MMR vaccine.
The MMR vaccine is free for:
- Everyone aged under 18 (regardless of immigration status)
- Adults over 18 eligible for funded healthcare
- Some non-eligible adults during outbreaks in affected regions
How to book 📅
For ages 13 and over, vaccinations can be booked online or over the phone.
- Book a vaccine online: bookmyvaccine.health.nz
- Book over the phone: 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).
For those aged 13 and under, contact your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider to book an appointment.
Children over 3 years old can get an MMR vaccine at lots of pharmacies. You can search for one near you on Healthpoint: www.healthpoint.co.nz/immunisation
You can also book through your GP, nurse, or Hauora Māori or Pacific healthcare provider.
Need help? Call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 28 29 26 (Mon–Fri 8:30am–9pm, weekends 8:30am–2pm) for support). Interpreters, Māori kaimahi or disability advisors are available.
05/11/2025
Now is the perfect time to check your immunisation status and book your MMR vaccine. Visit bookmyvaccine.health.nz to book online.
You can also book through your GP, nurse, or Hauora Māori or Pacific healthcare provider.
Need help? Call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 28 29 26 (between 8.30am and 9pm Mon-Fri, or 9am - 2pm Sat and Sun, except public holidays).
The MMR vaccine is free for:
✅ Everyone aged under 18 (regardless of immigration status)
✅ Adults over 18 eligible for funded healthcare
✅ Some non-eligible adults during outbreaks in affected regions
Children over 3 years old can get an MMR vaccine at lots of pharmacies. You can search for one near you on Healthpoint: healthpoint.co.nz/immunisation
04/11/2025
Not sure if you’re protected against measles? Here’s how to check:
💻 Use the online tool
It guides you through what to look for based on your age and vaccination history. Find it here: info.health.nz/measles
💻 Log into My Health Record via your My Health Account to view your immunisation records (available for most people vaccinated after 2005).
👩🏽⚕️ Ask your doctor, nurse, healthcare provider or hauora provider. They can check your records or advise if you should get vaccinated.
📱 Call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 28 29 26 (Mon–Fri 8:30am–9pm, weekends 8:30am–2pm) for support. Interpreters, Māori kaimahi or disability advisors are available.
✅ Other places you can check include your online patient portal (e.g. Manage My Health), your childhood health book such as your Plunket or WellChild Tamariki Ora book, calling your local lab as they might have records of measles immunity tests you've had in the past.
✈️ If you grew up overseas, contact your previous doctor or healthcare clinics to see if they have your immunisation records.
💙 No records? Not sure? It’s safe for most to get another dose of the MMR vaccine and it’s free for most people in NZ.
This Measles Immunisation Week (3–7 Nov), take action to protect yourself and your whānau.
02/11/2025
It’s Measles Immunisation Week! 🛡️
Measles is highly contagious - but the good thing is it’s also preventable. This week is all about making sure our communities are protected.
💉 The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) is free for anyone under 18 and for those eligible for free healthcare.
📍 Drop-in clinics are running across the country - no appointment needed.
👶 Not sure if your child is immunised? Now’s the time to check.
📲 Visit info.health.nz/immunisations/immunisation-clinics for local pop up clinics near you. You can also refer to healthpoint.co.nz as not all immunisation clinics are listed in info.health.nz.
Another option for booking an MMR vaccine is to book online: info.health.nz/bookavaccine
30/10/2025
Is it measles or chickenpox? With measles spreading in Aotearoa NZ, it’s important to know the difference.
Sometimes, measles is mixed up with chickenpox, but they are two very different illnesses, with measles being more severe.
Here’s what to look for:
🤒 Measles: Starts with a high fever, red itchy eyes, a cough and runny nose. A rash follows, starting on the face then covering the body.
😖 Chickenpox: Starts with itchy blisters all over the body. Fever is mild to moderate, and a headache or fatigue might be present.
Before vaccines, some parents held chickenpox or measles “parties”, but these are *not* safe!
Both viruses can cause serious illness, and measles is especially dangerous and can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, and other health complications such as hearing loss.
Deliberately exposing tamariki to measles can put them and others at serious risk, especially those who are immunocompromised.
Both illnesses have vaccines. Check you’re up-to-date with your immunisations to have the best protection: http://spr.ly/61817Ehx9
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Lakes District Health Board serves a population of just over 110,000 and covers 9,570 square kilometres. It stretches from Mourea in the north to Mangakino in the west down to Turangi in the south and across to Kaingaroa village in the east. The major centres of population are Rotorua and Taupo and the main smaller communities are Mangakino and Turangi. The DHB’ boundaries take in the two main iwi groups of Te Arawa and Ngati Tuwharetoa.
Lakes DHB is responsible for the provision (or funding the provision) of the majority of health services in the Lakes district. These services in our district include:
Two hospital sites (Rotorua and Taupo)
Nine continuing care facilities – in addition we have one Hospital Specialist Services – Psychogeriatric Unit
One mental health inpatient facility
Four community bases for mental health (iCAMHS (Infant, Child and Adolescent): Adult community at Rotorua and Taupo; and Mental Health Service for Older People Rotorua
14 aged related residential care facilities (rest homes)
18 pharmacies (11 Rotorua, 6 Taupo, 1 Turangi)
21 GP practices (5 Taupo/Turangi/Mangakino and 16 Rotorua)
12 Māori providers, one of which also looks after Pacific interests
Two primary health organisations
Lakes DHB:
works with key stakeholders to plan the strategic direction for health and disability services
plans regional and national work in collaboration with the National Health Board and other DHBs
funds the provision of the majority of the public health and disability services in the Lakes district, through the agreements with providers
provides hospital and specialist services primarily for our population and also for people referred from other DHBs
promotes, protects and improves our population’s health and wellbeing through health promotion, health protection, health education and the provision of evidence-based public health initiatives
