Latest news with #NewZealand-specific
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
New Zealand's Air Quality Improving, But Winter Smoke Still An Issue
Press Release – LAWA When smoke from wood burners and coal fires builds up in calm, cold conditions, it can affect the health of whole communities. The good news is that monitored sites in most towns are now meeting national air quality standards for particulate matter New data released today by LAWA (Land, Air, Water Aotearoa) shows that while air quality continues to improve in many parts of New Zealand, winter remains a period of elevated health risk. There is particular concern for towns where smoke from home heating becomes trapped near the ground during cold, still weather. 'Air quality in New Zealand has improved over time thanks to a combination of local and national action, but winter remains a challenge in many towns,' said Dr Chris Daughney, Chief Science Advisor for the collective of regional and unitary councils – Te Uru Kahika. 'When smoke from wood burners and coal fires builds up in calm, cold conditions, it can affect the health of whole communities. 'The good news is that monitored sites in most towns are now meeting national air quality standards for particulate matter (PM10) and continue to show improvements since monitoring began. 'However, most monitored places exceed international guidelines for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) which comes from combustion sources and poses significant health risks,' said Dr Daughney. The LAWA Air Quality National Picture 2025 provides analyses of monitoring site data from regional and unitary councils across the country. Although PM2.5is not yet regulated under New Zealand's National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NES-AQ), the National Picture outlines that 13 regions are now actively monitoring this harmful pollutant, and the number of monitored sites has increased in recent years. In 2024, only three monitoring sites in New Zealand met both the daily and annual WHO guidelines for PM2.5. These were at Whareroa Marae in Mount Maunganui, Whangārei, and central Wellington. The 2021 WHO guidelines are stricter than previous guidelines and reflect growing understanding of the health impacts from long-term exposure to fine particles. Dr Daughney said the results presented on the LAWA website reinforce the value of council monitoring networks. 'Although it is not yet regulated under a national standard, many regional and unitary councils are already monitoring the smaller PM2.5 particles to better understand local air quality and to prepare for future regulation. However, without a New Zealand-specific standard in place, it's a challenge for councils to justify further investment in monitoring equipment and analysis. 'The science is clear that reducing fine particulate matter pollution improves public health, especially for children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions,' said Dr Daughney. While winter conditions continue to present challenges, the LAWA Air Quality National Picture also highlights definite progress. There are improving air quality trends for 30 of the 44 long-term PM10 monitoring sites over the last 10 years and only 4 sites have seen a decline. LAWA Air Quality Science Lead Teresa Aberkane explains that air quality is fascinating because it responds to human behaviour. 'Many places like Timaru, Tokoroa, and Kaiapoi have taken active steps to reduce winter emissions, and we're seeing those actions reflected in the data. 'That's the value of ongoing monitoring, when we measure and report, we can take steps to make a difference to the air we breathe,' said Ms Aberkane. Many of these improvements are the result of sustained investment by councils in cleaner heating technology, community education, and local bylaws aimed at phasing out high emission burning. Transport choices also have a big impact on air quality and walking, cycling, and public transport are cleaner options than private vehicle use. LAWA Chair Dr Tim Davie said everyone can play a role in cleaner winter air. 'The data shows we've made good progress. Now it's about staying on track and continuing to act where it matters most. 'With winter here, we're encouraging people to check their local air quality and take steps to minimise smoke. Avoiding lighting fires on still weather nights is best, but if people are going to use their log burner, then using dry, untreated wood with a clean burning technique can help reduce the amount of pollution into the local neighbourhood. 'We're pleased to make real-time air quality information available to New Zealanders for free on the LAWA website, alongside useful evidence-backed factsheets,' said Dr Davie. Air quality information for 150 monitoring sites is available at along with practical tips on what households can do to help. Further information PM2.5 and PM10 are forms of air pollution measured in micrometres. PM2.5 poses greater health risks due to its ability to enter the lungs and bloodstream. The World Health Organization's 2021 air quality guidelines are based on updated scientific evidence of health impacts from fine particulate matter. The Ministry for the Environment has announced that the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NES-AQ) will be reviewed and updated by 2026 to include PM2.5.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Sudden Arrivals: NZ Ambulance Crews Describe What It's Like When Babies Are Born Out Of The Blue
Article – The Conversation It doesn't happen very often, but every now and then expectant mothers don't quite make it to the delivery suite on time – requiring specialised care from emergency medical services (EMS). This can happen when babies come early, when the mother-to-be is in denial, or when they simply don't know they are pregnant. These out-of-hospital births can increase the risks for both mother and child. While there haven't been any New Zealand-specific studies, data from Norway and Ireland show infant mortality rates are two to three times higher for unplanned out-of-hospital births compared to those in medical facilities. In 2024, Hato Hone St John, Aotearoa New Zealand's largest ambulance service, responded to 2,745 obstetric emergencies. This accounted for 0.9% of all ambulance patients – similar to comparable countries such as Australia and the United States. In our new research, we surveyed Hato Hone St John ambulance personnel to better understand their experiences attending unplanned out-of-hospital births. Although such events are rare, personnel must be prepared to provide care for mothers and newborns during any clinical shift. The 147 responses we received highlighted the need for ongoing and targeted training for staff as they balance supporting the safe arrival of a newborn with patient and whānau -centered care. Navigating the unknown EMS personnel reported being dispatched for reports of abdominal or back pain in female patients, only to encounter an unanticipated imminent birth upon arrival. In many of these cases, patients were unaware of their pregnancies and had received no prior antenatal care. This left EMS personnel to lead labour and birth care without crucial information about gestational age or potential complications. As one paramedic explained: The call was for non-traumatic back pain. The patient had a cryptic pregnancy and was not aware she was pregnant until I informed her that she was in labour. I was the senior clinician in attendance, we were 25 minutes to a maternity unit that didn't have surgical facilities and a [neonatal unit]. In some situations, EMS personnel attended teenage patients who were in denial of their pregnancies or fearful it would be discovered by their families. Attending to the mother's emotional needs, respecting her dignity and navigating family dynamics compounded existing challenges to providing care. Another paramedic explained: Attended an 18-year-old that did not know or was in denial that she was pregnant. She had the baby on her own in the bathroom. The parents came home during the birth, and she was too scared to tell them and kept the baby quiet by nursing her. She called an ambulance from the bathroom and told them she didn't want the parents to know. Practical challenges Complex births, medical emergencies and limited specialised neonatal equipment required EMS to improvise in such cases. While some focused on skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby, others prepared makeshift blankets using things such as plastic clingfilm to keep their newborn patients warm. An intensive care paramedic said: I needed to 'chew' through the cord with the scissors provided, which was frustrating given the patient was under CPR. Also, I wanted to keep the patient warm as the house was cold and it was winter, so I used the Gladwrap in the ambulance. The roll I had was a new one and very difficult to start up as it shredded. I ended up using the patient's industrial size wrap with a plastic blade attached. The distance to a specialised newborn care facility, as well as rules around who could be transported and when, meant mothers and babies sometimes needed separate transport. This distressed mothers and added pressure to already stressful situations. One North Island-based paramedic explained: The baby was flown to [a tertiary hospital] – great for the baby but very distressing for mum as she had to be transported by road. Detailed accounts emerged of EMS providing labour and birth care in remote and poorer areas, such as homes with no electricity or heating, far away from hospital facilities and with no back up readily available. Another South Island-based paramedic said: It was 2 degrees outside and the front door was open. The house was cold, and the mother was standing in the bathroom with the [newborn] lying on the cold floor. I called for backup as the mother had a severe postpartum haemorrhage, and the [newborn] required resuscitation. I was not sent assistance and had to manage the mother and [newborn] by myself during a 15-minute drive to the birth suite at hospital. The stories shared by New Zealand ambulance personnel not only described their critical role in providing care during labour and birth, but also highlighted a gap in care for women not accessing routine antenatal and birth services. Training and support needed Studies from Norway, Australia, the US and the United Kingdom have previously highlighted the need for dedicated EMS training and equipment to support out-of-hospital births. Change is happening in New Zealand. Recent updates to Hato Hone St John guidelines, resources and training, including education on cultural considerations related to birth, aim to prepare EMS personnel for these unpredictable and high-risk scenarios. Ongoing training and education will be critical to support clinicians to confidently address birth emergencies while continuing to deliver patient and whānau-centered care. Disclosure statement Vinuli Withanarachchie works for Hato Hone St John. Bridget Dicker is an employee of Hato Hone St John. Sarah Maessen works for Hato Hone St John. Verity Todd receives funding from the Heart Foundation NZ and Health Research Council NZ. She is affiliated with Hato Hone St John.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Sudden Arrivals: NZ Ambulance Crews Describe What It's Like When Babies Are Born Out Of The Blue
It doesn't happen very often, but every now and then expectant mothers don't quite make it to the delivery suite on time – requiring specialised care from emergency medical services (EMS). This can happen when babies come early, when the mother-to-be is in denial, or when they simply don't know they are pregnant. These out-of-hospital births can increase the risks for both mother and child. While there haven't been any New Zealand-specific studies, data from Norway and Ireland show infant mortality rates are two to three times higher for unplanned out-of-hospital births compared to those in medical facilities. In 2024, Hato Hone St John, Aotearoa New Zealand's largest ambulance service, responded to 2,745 obstetric emergencies. This accounted for 0.9% of all ambulance patients – similar to comparable countries such as Australia and the United States. In our new research, we surveyed Hato Hone St John ambulance personnel to better understand their experiences attending unplanned out-of-hospital births. Although such events are rare, personnel must be prepared to provide care for mothers and newborns during any clinical shift. The 147 responses we received highlighted the need for ongoing and targeted training for staff as they balance supporting the safe arrival of a newborn with patient and whānau -centered care. Navigating the unknown EMS personnel reported being dispatched for reports of abdominal or back pain in female patients, only to encounter an unanticipated imminent birth upon arrival. In many of these cases, patients were unaware of their pregnancies and had received no prior antenatal care. This left EMS personnel to lead labour and birth care without crucial information about gestational age or potential complications. As one paramedic explained: The call was for non-traumatic back pain. The patient had a cryptic pregnancy and was not aware she was pregnant until I informed her that she was in labour. I was the senior clinician in attendance, we were 25 minutes to a maternity unit that didn't have surgical facilities and a [neonatal unit]. In some situations, EMS personnel attended teenage patients who were in denial of their pregnancies or fearful it would be discovered by their families. Attending to the mother's emotional needs, respecting her dignity and navigating family dynamics compounded existing challenges to providing care. Another paramedic explained: Attended an 18-year-old that did not know or was in denial that she was pregnant. She had the baby on her own in the bathroom. The parents came home during the birth, and she was too scared to tell them and kept the baby quiet by nursing her. She called an ambulance from the bathroom and told them she didn't want the parents to know. Practical challenges Complex births, medical emergencies and limited specialised neonatal equipment required EMS to improvise in such cases. While some focused on skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby, others prepared makeshift blankets using things such as plastic clingfilm to keep their newborn patients warm. An intensive care paramedic said: I needed to 'chew' through the cord with the scissors provided, which was frustrating given the patient was under CPR. Also, I wanted to keep the patient warm as the house was cold and it was winter, so I used the Gladwrap in the ambulance. The roll I had was a new one and very difficult to start up as it shredded. I ended up using the patient's industrial size wrap with a plastic blade attached. The distance to a specialised newborn care facility, as well as rules around who could be transported and when, meant mothers and babies sometimes needed separate transport. This distressed mothers and added pressure to already stressful situations. One North Island-based paramedic explained: The baby was flown to [a tertiary hospital] – great for the baby but very distressing for mum as she had to be transported by road. Detailed accounts emerged of EMS providing labour and birth care in remote and poorer areas, such as homes with no electricity or heating, far away from hospital facilities and with no back up readily available. Another South Island-based paramedic said: It was 2 degrees outside and the front door was open. The house was cold, and the mother was standing in the bathroom with the [newborn] lying on the cold floor. I called for backup as the mother had a severe postpartum haemorrhage, and the [newborn] required resuscitation. I was not sent assistance and had to manage the mother and [newborn] by myself during a 15-minute drive to the birth suite at hospital. The stories shared by New Zealand ambulance personnel not only described their critical role in providing care during labour and birth, but also highlighted a gap in care for women not accessing routine antenatal and birth services. Training and support needed Studies from Norway, Australia, the US and the United Kingdom have previously highlighted the need for dedicated EMS training and equipment to support out-of-hospital births. Change is happening in New Zealand. Recent updates to Hato Hone St John guidelines, resources and training, including education on cultural considerations related to birth, aim to prepare EMS personnel for these unpredictable and high-risk scenarios. Ongoing training and education will be critical to support clinicians to confidently address birth emergencies while continuing to deliver patient and whānau-centered care. Vinuli Withanarachchie, PhD candidate, College of Health, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Bridget Dicker, Associate Professor of Paramedicine, ; Sarah Maessen, Research Fellow, Department of Paramedicine, Auckland University of Technology, and Verity Todd Auckland University of Technology Disclosure statement Vinuli Withanarachchie works for Hato Hone St John. Bridget Dicker is an employee of Hato Hone St John. Sarah Maessen works for Hato Hone St John. Verity Todd receives funding from the Heart Foundation NZ and Health Research Council NZ. She is affiliated with Hato Hone St John.
Scoop
28-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Transport Well New Zealand Charitable Trust: A Vision For The Entire Sector
Transport Well New Zealand | Kawe Pai Aotearoa Charitable Trust has been established to improve outcomes across the transport and logistics sector. Transport Well adopts a future-focused, whole-systems approach, offering sector-wide solutions and resources to support operators. Designed to uplift the entire sector, the Trust aims to address critical issues such as safety and well-being while fostering professionalism through improved compliance. For many years, the New Zealand Trucking Association (NTA) has championed health, safety, and workforce initiatives within the sector through education programmes, events, and community outreach. To ensure the sustainability, neutrality, and long-term impact of these efforts, it was decided that the initiatives would be transitioned to an independent charitable trust. This move safeguards the integrity of these programmes, allowing them to grow free from industry politics, and ensures their governance is inclusive, transparent, and grounded in charitable purpose. "Creating Transport Well allows us to protect the integrity of important health, safety and well-being initiatives, and ensure they grow sustainably, free from industry politics and focused on what's best for our people." - – David Boyce, CEO, New Zealand Trucking Association, and Transport Well Governance Board Member. Transport Well provides a neutral, inclusive platform for sector-wide collaboration. To support this vision, independent governance board members are now being sought, bringing diverse expertise to ensure the initiative remains a truly industry-wide effort that is both sustainable and effective. Driving Positive Industry Change Transport Well is committed to tackling fundamental challenges such as mental health, driver fatigue, worker competency, fitness for duty, and vehicle safety — key factors that often contribute to high-risk incidents and costly disruptions. One of the key pillars of Transport Well is the TruckSafe New Zealand Safety Management System, an industry-led initiative aimed at improving the safety and professionalism of heavy vehicle operators nationwide. By raising operational standards, the programme contributes to productivity, business growth, and the overall well-being of New Zealanders. It empowers businesses to innovate and expand while providing employers with clear guidance on creating a strong safety culture and embedding best practices. TruckSafe has been operating successfully in Australia for over 27 years. Following consultation with industry, a working group has adapted and realigned the successful Australian model to meet New Zealand's regulatory and compliance environment. TruckSafe New Zealand has now launched and is open for heavy vehicle operators to begin their journey toward TruckSafe certification. "TruckSafe has proven itself over 27 years in Australia. We've now built a New Zealand-specific programme that supports heavy vehicle operators to strengthen compliance, elevate professionalism, and gain peace of mind that they're meeting their health and safety obligations and responsibilities," Boyce adds. With the establishment of the Transport Well Charitable Trust, the transport and logistics sector now has a powerful mechanism to drive meaningful, long-term change. Transport Well is paving the way for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future for the transport and logistics sector in New Zealand.
