According to a research of the University of Otago, the district health board is not fully prepared for the emergency procedures that are needed to be taken. The study got published in the New Zealand Medical Journal.

Timaru's diabetes headquarters is expected to be closed at a time when the disease is tightening its clutches on the country. A University of Otago study disclosed that one in five New Zealand adults are under the threat of type 2 diabetes in their lifetime.

The New Zealand Herald stated that 11 new species of beetle are confirmed to be released in the upcoming months. These beetles will be sent to the farms for consuming the cow dung.

There is a suspicion that a large amount of beetles can result in the spread of nasty stomach bugs. Sources suggested that the beetles that act upon the dung can also carry E coli, salmonella, camphylobacter and giardia.

According to Oral-B's Dentaphobia study, New Zealanders are less likely to visit dentists. More than one third of people involved in the study said there last visit was three years ago or never.

A current halt in the ash emissions from the volcano has reduced the alert level of White Island volcano to one and also the aviation colour code has been reduced to yellow. Craig Miller, Geonet volcanologist, said that there is a possibility of short term activity that would alternate between dry and wet eruptions.

The government’s demand to cut millions from health budget is forcing district health boards (DHBs) to narrow their focus, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) said.

The NZNO highlighted a recent report showing one DHB cutting its primary health budget by a third.

New Zealand's brilliant, sunny weather this summer has led to an increased risk of skin cancer, as there is a huge rise in the amount of hazardous ultraviolet (UV) radiation, researchers have warned.