Urenui & Mōkau Rural Healthcare Inc.

31/10/2025

29/10/2025

With Aotearoa now having many confirmed cases of Measles and locations of interest, including in Taranaki, please protect yourself and your whānau by getting vaccinated if you haven’t already.

To make it easy, you can come along to our drop-in clinic in Ngāmotu or Waitara this Saturday 1 November to get immunised - no appointment needed!

Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known, infecting children as well as adults via droplets carried in the air from someone infected. The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours!

Measles is so contagious – that anyone exposed to measles who is not immune through vaccination or previous infection is about 90% likely to become infected.

The good news is - if you’re immune, you’re protected!

Get in touch with us on 0800 TUI ORA to have a kōrero if you have any pātai!

28/10/2025

25/10/2025

Shellfish Toxin Alert ftom MPI

PLEASE READ AS THIS AFFECTS ALL OUR COASTLINE- see map at bottom here

Public health warning media releases on biotoxin in shellfish

PUBLIC HEALTH WARNING: Biotoxin warning for Taranaki Coast

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the Taranaki coast due to the presence of paralytic shellfish toxins.

Routine tests on mussels from Pukearuhe have shown levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin over the safe limit,” says NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. The warning extends from Cape Egmont north to Albatross Point, near Kawhia.

Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick.

Affected shellfish include bivalve shellfish such as mussels, oysters, tuatua, p**i, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat’s eyes), Cook’s turban.

Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so shellfish from this area should not be eaten.

We are monitoring an algal bloom in the region. This type of algae produces a dangerous toxin and when shellfish filter-feed, these toxins can accumulate in their gut and flesh. Generally, the more algae there are in the water, the more toxic the shellfish get.​

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:
• numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• dizziness and headache
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Finfish are not affected by this public health warning, but we advise gutting the fish and discarding the liver before cooking.

NZFS has had no notifications of associated illness.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

“NZFS is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation,” says Mr Arbuckle.
Map of affected area

24/10/2025

Okay, let’s settle the age-old debate once and for all… what’s your oral healthcare routine!? 🪥😁

While there aren't hard and fast rules, it's often recommended to use mouthwash before brushing, rather than after. That way it won’t wash away all the fluoride goodness from your toothpaste 🤯 So use options “B” or “D” in the graph for the VIP treatment. 🦷

Brush at least twice a day, floss daily, and keep those pearly whites shining! ✨

Source: http://nhs.uk/.../healthy.../how-to-keep-your-teeth-clean/

22/10/2025

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

21/10/2025

Kia ora community, just a reminder that the online Healthcare Access for Rural Communities with Barbara Kuriger is set for tonight at 7pm - click on the link to register.

Rural healthcare matters—let’s talk about it.

Join Barbara Kuriger for a focused online conversation on one of the most pressing issues facing rural New Zealand: equitable access to healthcare.

From GP shortages and long travel times to gaps in mental health and maternity care, rural communities deserve better. This is your chance to hear directly from Barbara, ask questions, and contribute to practical solutions and policy reform.

🗓 Wednesday 22 October
🕖 7.00pm
📍 Online

We want to hear from YOU. Submit your questions in advance and be part of the conversation.

👉 Register and submit your questions here: https://forms.gle/VaPCyhYYJgay2uB69

21/10/2025

Awakino needs your help. Please share this post or donate 🙏

Collaboration fundraiser for those affected by the flooding of Mōkau & Awakino rivers. Donate to support those completing the walk here.

20/10/2025

Your friendly community pharmacists help with more than you think.

From expert medication advice to emergency contraception, immunisations, urinary or eye infections, fixing up minor cuts, checking rashes, and doing basic health checks, they do a lot.

Pharmacists are a great first port of call - especially if you’re unsure what to do or what type of medical help you need.

Find your closest one through healthpoint.co.nz.

Learn more about what pharmacists can help with:
https://info.health.nz/services-support/pharmacies

01/10/2025

With measles cases confirmed in Aotearoa New Zealand, it’s important we all stay alert. Symptoms include: high fever, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes, and followed by a rash.

📍 Locations of interest in Northland/Te Tai Tokerau, Queenstown, and Cromwell are listed here: http://spr.ly/6187A9Ap9. Please check if you or your whānau/family may have been exposed.

🤒 If you or your whānau feel unwell, stay home, and call your GP/hauora provider or Healthline 0800 611 116 for free advice.

✅ Anyone who hasn’t had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine (including tamariki/children) should get immunised. This is the best protection.

🛡️ Protect your whānau and your whakapapa. If you're not sure if you had two MMR doses, your GP or hauora provider can help you check.

👩🏽‍⚕️ Pop-up immunisation clinics are running in Northland/Te Tai Tokerau - find details here: http://spr.ly/6188A9Api

Clinics in other regions are listed here: info.health.nz/immunisations/immunisation-clinics

If you can’t find an immunisation clinic in your area, please contact your doctor, hauora or health provider, or call the Vaccination Helpline free on 0800 28 29 26 (8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday).

You can also book a vaccination appointment at: info.health.nz/bookavaccine

More info: http://spr.ly/6189A9Apc

30/09/2025

Is your workplace taking part in New Zealand ShakeOut? We asked Carbonite Architects why they think ShakeOut is important.

Carbonite Architects may be a new business, but they know the importance of emergency preparedness.

Office Manager Sarah Comber was based in Gisborne during Cyclone Gabrielle and had no water, power, phone or internet. Feeling isolated and unprepared was challenging. But since she knew the cyclone was coming she was able to prepare for it. This got Sarah and her workplace thinking about how they ensure that they and those they care for stay safe in an emergency.

Sarah says that "not knowing when an earthquake will strike means we could have clients at our premises with varying abilities. Our clients soon become family as tikanga values of whanaunatanga, manaakitanga and kotahitanga are important foundations. We need to make sure we take care of them as we do our family. We are our community and our community is us."

"Living in New Zealand, we are highly likely to experience earthquakes as our tectonic plates move around, a large amount of volcanic activity and being on the global ring of fire in addition to endless stunning coastline (the best being in Tairawhiti of course!). For us, being prepared should be part of every health and safety plan. If we are not prepared, we risk the safety of those who work for us and with us. That's not a risk we wish to take."

Sarah's best advice for businesses taking part in ShakeOut and getting prepared is to get your staff and teams involved. Making safety a priority makes staff feel valued and it extends to their family and homes.

Sarah also recommends making the most of your local Civil Defence Group. They have great education programmes if you're unsure of anything. And fantastic resources and wider connections into our communities that can support you and your team.