The social cost of these "startling" health impacts was expected to cost NZ billions.

Napier and Hastings councils are tightening up smoking rules.

Vaping among Maori teens is the same as smoking rates 20 years ago.

Health NZ says Middlemore's under-pressure emergency department is continuing to adapt.

Newly released DHB documents show earthquake risks and escalating health demands.

Type of cancer normally found in people over 65 left the real estate agent in 'disbelief'.

Covid-19 cases back on the rise, more staff hired to fill surge in passport demand and more details revealed of Chicago Independence Day Parade mass shooting in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald

Researchers reveal new evidence that overcrowded homes raise acute rheumatic fever risk.

Māori and Pacific Islanders' participation in bowel cancer screening is lower overall.

Schools across the country are struggling to find enough staff amid the latest wave.

Another wave of Covid-19 could be on its way with a new Omicron subvariant seeing case numbers back on the rise. Video / NZ Herald / Ben Cummins

NZ's second Omicron wave is starting differently to the first - with borders a big factor.

The comedian has slammed fitness tycoon Tammy Hembrow for her post-partum picture.

Unable to concentrate or feeling exhausted? Your body may be running low on a key vitamin.

'Just like BA.2 took over from BA.1, BA.5 is going to do the same.'

As more states seek abortion limits, demand for the pills is expected to grow.

There are now just four ministers who have yet to get Covid.

Modeller says infections could hit around 20,000 cases per day.

Low doses of the life-saving antidote Naloxone are a worry, says NZ Drug Foundation.

Schools report one in five staff and students off sick as end of term approaches.

Experts warn we're facing a winter surge of the virus as subvariant BA.5 spreads.

Woman reveals heartbreaking reason she developed a "habit" that took over her life.

New South Wales has recorded its first case of diphtheria of the throat in a century.

Paediatrician on keeping kids well while giving them back their "sense of normality".

Academic says BA.5 variant causing first 7-day average case number increase in months.

What started as the flu ended with a 5-year-old having her arms and legs amputated.

The rise comes as the health system feels the pressure from Covid-19 and winter illnesses.

Overturn of Roe v Wade - People fear states could next move to restrict contraception.