Drinking water standards overhaul for rural Northland
3 Feb, 2021 04:00 PM
5 minutes to read
Northland DHB Drinking Water Assessor Keith Turner, second from right, upskilling Northland water suppliers in ultra violet (UV) disinfection at a workshop in 2018. Photo / Northland Age
Northern Advocate (Whangarei)
By: Donna Russell
Turning on the tap for a refreshing glass of water might seem to be something most people should be able to take for granted.
But what if that water makes you sick? An overhaul of drinking water regulations and monitoring is under way this year, which will benefit rural populations.
Untreated water used for drinking can contain bacteria or protozoa that can cause illness, particularly in rural communities that rely on tank water or water drawn from streams.
Northland providers put hand up for health role 02 Feb 2021 13:21 PM
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Northland Māori health providers say they’re ready to lead community and primary care services in the region should the Northland District Health Board be disestablished.
Health reforms now under consideration by the government could include significant changes to the current DHB structure.
Northland Māori Health Provider Alliance spokesperson Bill Halkyard says here needs to be a shift from thinking about health as something to assess, fix and treat, to thinking about wellness or oranga.
The alliance wants to see a new commissioning entity for Northland that would engage with government not just on health but housing, employment, social services, education and other services.
Bombshell $300m Māori health proposal shocks Northland healthcare
2 Feb, 2021 04:05 PM
7 minutes to read
Northland GP Dr Melissa Gilbert-Smith was one of many GPs left in the dark about a new healthcare proposal, which may see doctors leave their primary health organisation. Photo / Michael Cunningham
A $300m Māori health entity proposal has rocked Northland s healthcare community, forcing some general practice doctors to consider abandoning the region s primary health organisation. The Oranga Māori Entity, formed by an alliance of Tai Tokerau Māori health providers and whānau wellbeing organisation Whānau Ora Collective, has also been condemned by the Northland District Health Board (NDHB), which says while the intention behind the proposal is sound, there are severe concerns over its execution.
Sheryl Mai: Take pandemic seriously, follow Ministry of Health guidelines
31 Jan, 2021 04:00 PM
4 minutes to read
The queue for Covid-19 tests at Marsden Point last Monday following the report of a Northland woman testing positive after leaving managed isolation in Auckland. Photo / Tania Whyte
Sheryl Mai is the mayor of Whangārei District.
I hope you re all enjoying this long weekend, it s important that we make the most of these opportunities as they come, to prepare for the busy year ahead. Today we commemorate the arrival of Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson into the Bay of Islands in 1840.
Although I m enjoying the break, I can t help but feel we should be focusing more on our unique cultural celebrations (such as Matariki) rather than commemorations of colonisation.