News and media releases

See the articles below for the latest news from Regional Public Health, you can also visit our public health alerts page for up to date information on the health in our community.

  • Latest Controlled Purchase Operation brings good results

    Published Friday 14 Apr 2023

    Staff from Te Whatu Ora National Public Health Service, Hutt City Council, and NZ Police were pleased with the overall result of a recent Controlled Purchase Operation conducted at licensed premises in Lower Hutt. This recent operation, which was led by Police, involved an underage volunteer attempt to purchase alcohol from 21 premises in the Lower Hutt region. There were NO sales made from the 21 outlets visited.

  • Youth require more protection from access to vaping products – results from study

    Published Thursday 17 Mar 2022

    A study conducted recently by the University of Otago and Regional Public Health Wellington has found that despite recent changes to vaping regulations in New Zealand, some retailers are circumventing regulations designed to protect young people from exposure to vaping products and promotions.

  • Water fluoridation in Wellington

    Published Thursday 17 Mar 2022

    With fluoride temporarily removed from water supplies in Porirua, Manor Park, Stokes Valley, Wellington City and Upper Hutt, we encourage our communities to be vigilant with oral health care at home.

  • The rising stars of rugby league and health promotion

    Published Friday 11 Mar 2022

    A health promotion initiative that utilises rugby league as a vehicle to promote positive health action to whānau, has achieved remarkable success. The community collaboration is a pilot initiative which has seen the Nga Hau E Wha O Wainuiomata Under-14 Kotiro rugby league team develop as both promising rugby league players and health promoters.

  • COVID-19 testing in the community

    Published Wednesday 16 Feb 2022

    Aotearoa New Zealand is now at phase 2 of the Government’s Omicron response, and Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast DHBs have seen increased demand for testing across all our sites.

  • Community-minded youth play vital role to achieve smokefree law change

    Published Tuesday 30 Nov 2021

    From Sunday 28 November 2021, it is illegal to smoke or vape in cars with anyone under the age of 18.

  • Contact tracing and keeping safe

    Published Wednesday 8 Sep 2021

    From today everyone aged 12 and over must keep a record of where they have been.

  • Information about seeking a COVID-19 test

    Published Saturday 21 Aug 2021

    Because of high demand for COVID-19 testing it is important people contact Healthline 0800 611 116 to check if you do need a test.

  • Regional Public Health toast the introduction of folic acid in bread

    Published Thursday 8 Jul 2021

    Regional Public Health (RPH) welcome today’s Government announcement to approve the mandatory addition of folic acid to bread-making flour.

  • Wellingtonians and visitors urged to check locations of interest

    Published Wednesday 23 Jun 2021

    Ministry of Health media release: The first six locations of interest in Wellington visited by an Australian traveller from Sydney last weekend who has tested positive for COVID-19 upon their return to Australia have been published on the Ministry of Health website.

Last updated 25 May 2023.