Health NZ – Waitaha Canterbury

15/06/2026

Remember untangling one of these?

If you do, it might be time to check in on your health.

This Men’s Health Week, take a few minutes to think about your wellbeing. It’s easy to put your health on the backburner — but a quick check-in now can make a real difference.

💬 How are you really feeling?
💪 Are you keeping active?
🩺 When was your last check-up?

Start with the “What’s Your Score?” tool – a quick, free online survey to see where your health stands and what you might want to focus on.
👉 Check your score here - http://spr.ly/6188BDGNAE

If something doesn’t feel right, reach out to your GP, a health professional, or someone you trust.

15/06/2026

Help protect your community - selling to***co or v**e products to under 18s is illegal.

If you see or suspect illegal to***co sales, report it. Visit: http://healthnz.govt.nz/TellUs

Smokefree Toolkit including resources: https://www.smokefree.org.nz/resources/toolkit-make-a-smoking-or-va**ng-complaint

14/06/2026

Going into bat for Christchurch Hospital’s youngest patients 🏏🌟

Christchurch Hospital fans of the Blackcaps had an exciting Friday morning when Ish Sodhi and Mitch Hay came to visit! 🤩

Ish and Mitch visited the children’s haematology and oncology centre first where they chatted and took photos with the kids and their whānau.

They then hung out in the level 7 play hub, learning about fish with one child and practicing their cricket skills with a young boy who was celebrating his birthday 🎉

Visits like these make all the difference in our patients’ hospital stays – it gives them something exciting to talk about and helps make their stay just that little bit easier 🫂

Thank you to pharmacy tech Kylie, who won the visit after attending the Christchurch BLACKCAPS vs South Africa game, for gifting the visit to the children’s wards, and thank you to Ish, Mitch and the BLACKCAPS for brightening the days of our youngest patients 🌞

11/06/2026

❗️Health Warning Lifted❗️

New Zealand Food Safety has removed the public health warning against collecting shellfish on Banks Peninsula. Further sampling of shellfish along this coastline has shown that paralytic shellfish toxins are now at safe levels.

For more info 👉http://spr.ly/6181B84d6F

Keep up to date with current health warnings 👉http://spr.ly/6183B84d6N

10/06/2026

Want to support children in hospital this winter? Donate new PJs! 🧸❄️

The Christchurch Hospital Volunteers are asking for children’s pyjama donations to help bring warmth and comfort to children and their families during their hospital stay.

Cosy PJ sets are super helpful for our young patients, providing them with a sense of normalcy while they stay in hospital. Whether it's after a seizure, an accident or an unexpected visit – having a fresh pair of PJs can make all the difference 🫂

Keen to donate? Here’s how:
- The hospital can only accept NEW flannelette pyjamas – this is to minimise the risk of infection ✅
- The pyjamas need to be in children’s sizes 1-16. The smaller sizes are most needed ✅
- All pyjamas must meet NZ product safety standards and carry fire safety certification – you can check this on the tag inside the pyjamas ✅
- They must be button-down tops – this allows easier access for care ✅
- Pyjama donations from any source are accepted, e.g. The Warehouse, Postie, or Farmers ✅
- Drop off your donations at Christchurch Hospital. Either hand them to one of the friendly wayfinders or give them to reception at any of the main entrances ✅

Thank you for your help in supporting children in hospital this winter 🙌

09/06/2026

There is no better protection from the flu, than the flu vaccine.

Hear from Katarina Teepa, Public Health Nurse in Canterbury, on why immunisation plays an important role in protecting you and those around you.

You can get you and your family's flu immunisations through your usual GP or doctor, Hauora Māori or Pacific health provider, pharmacists, and you can also book online at bookmyvaccine.nz.

09/06/2026

Help protect your community - Let’s work together to stop illegal smoking and va**ng activity.

If you see or suspect illegal to***co sales, report it. Visit: http://healthnz.govt.nz/TellUs 👇

05/06/2026

A new chapter begins for the Ashburton Community Maternity Unit
The Ashburton community primary maternity unit has a new temporary entrance as work has begun on a major upgrade to create a safer, more modern space for local women and whānau. The unit has moved to a temporary location beside Outpatients, with access through the Outpatients corridor or the Elizabeth Street emergency entrance. Clear signage and friendly staff will help guide you.
All essential maternity services continue as normal, including birthing, postnatal care, assessments, and clinics. Women from Ashburton who give birth at Christchurch Women’s Hospital will continue to receive postnatal care at Oromairaki in Rolleston or at home when appropriate. This eases pressure on the temporary unit so staff can focus on local primary birthing.
The upgrade will bring big benefits for families, including refreshed postnatal rooms with more ensuites, a dedicated antenatal clinic zone, and improved staff spaces to support smoother primary care.
Construction will take around seven months, with the new unit expected to be completed by the end of 2026. This investment ensures Ashburton families can continue to receive high‑quality primary maternity care close to home.

05/06/2026

Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats are back for 2026! And the Canterbury / Waitaha regional final is happening tomorrow Sat 6 June at the Ngaio Marsh Theatre in Christchurch!

👉Get your ticket here: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/smokefreerockquest-christchurch-regional-final/christchurch

Health NZ is proud to continue its 36-year sponsorship with Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats, backing these iconic events and young talent across New Zealand. Supporting our young people to be smokefree is important. Through music, creativity and performance, these events encourage young people/rangatahi to protect their breath/hā strengthen their wellbeing/wairua and perform at their best.

Protecting your breath means protecting your future.
Hā ki roto, Hā ki waho.

Health NZ has partnered with Rockquest Promotions to create new Ambassador videos for 2026 featuring messages that encourage smokefree lifestyles for young people/rangatahi.

Visit the Smokefree website for more information: https://www.smokefree.org.nz/our-community/schools/smokefreerockquest-and-smokefree-tangata-beats

04/06/2026