Health NZ - South Canterbury

23/11/2025

Not all ball tampering has to be upsetting! Checking them regularly can help catch early signs of testicular cancer.

✅ Squeeze for lumps and bumps
✅ Feel the tubes at the back
✅ Any lumps? Get a check-up.

Visit testicular.org.nz/checking-your-balls/ for a how-to.



The Alternative Commentary Collective

21/11/2025

Health Warning – Harmful Algal Bloom in Waihao River at Gum Tree Flat Rd (Don's Hole)

Health New Zealand, National Public Health Service has issued a health warning for Waihao River at Gum Tree Flat Rd (Don's Hole).

The warning follows finding moderate to high cover of potentially toxic harmful algae (benthic cyanobacteria) in the Waihao River at Gum Tree Flat Rd (Don's Hole).

People should avoid the area and animals, particularly dogs, should not be allowed near the water until the health warning has been lifted.

There are also other access points along the Waihao River at Gum Tree Flat Rd (Don's Hole) that may have benthic cyanobacteria present. People are advised to treat every low-flowing river cautiously, check for the presence of benthic cyanobacteria and avoid contact.

Dr Imogen Evans, Public Health Medicine Specialist for the National Public Health Service, says the algae looks like dark brown to black mats and can produce toxins harmful to people and animals.

“Exposure may cause skin rashes, nausea, stomach cramps, tingling and numbness around the mouth and fingertips.”, she says.

“If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical advice urgently and let your healthcare provider know you’ve had contact with dark brown/black algal mats or water in this area”, Dr Evans says.

Environment Canterbury monitors the site during summer, and the public will be advised of any changes in water quality that are of public health significance.

For further details visit:
https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/canterbury-region/swimming/waihao-river-at-gum-tree-flat-road-dons-hole/swimsite

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

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!

To nominate an individual or group, complete the nomination form and email it to VolunteerAwards@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

You can find the form here: http://spr.ly/61887Vz8r

Applications close on Sunday, 23 November at 5pm.

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/61887Ehxp

29/10/2025

24/10/2025

Measles is here and there’s an increasing risk of it spreading in our communities. Here’s what you need to know and do to protect yourself and your whānau/family. Click on the photos in this post and swipe through them.

Get immunised. This is the best protection, and it is one of the most effective vaccines providing 99% protection (when two doses are given). Book at bookmyvaccine.nz

Kia mataara, kia haumaru te noho e te whānau!

Keep abreast of locations of interest: info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-measles/measles-locations-of-interest-in-aotearoa-new-zealand

21/10/2025

Measles update: Three new cases confirmed - two in Manawatū and one in Nelson. Two of the cases are children.

These are in addition to the Auckland case earlier this week.

Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious illness. During the NZ measles epidemic in 2019, 1 in 3 people with measles needed hospital care.

🕵️‍♀️ Contact tracing is underway. We’re supporting all affected individuals and exploring possible undetected community transmission.

✅ Protect yourself and your whānau:
Get 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.

📍For all locations of interest info visit this regularly updated web page: info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-measles/measles-locations-of-interest-in-aotearoa-new-zealand

There are locations of interest already published for Manawatū. And any further locations of interest that the Manawatū and Nelson cases visited while infectious are being investigated and will be published online as they become available.

Learn about measles and its symptoms: info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-measles

If you think you might have measles, call Healthline on 0800 611 116 or call your doctor (do not go into the clinic). They will advise you on what to do.

Media release: tewhatuora.govt.nz/corporate-information/news-and-updates/escalated-national-risk-of-measles-following-confirmation-of-cases-in-multiple-regions