News and updates of interest to Primary Health Care nurses:
ACC Maternal birth injuries
From 1 October 2022 our accident cover includes speciic injuries birthing parents can experience from the beginning of labour through to delivery of the pēpi/ baby. See Maternal birth injuries (acc.co.nz) for more information.
Scholarships and Grants
Please check again from March 2026 for updates on future awards.
Nursing Education and Research Foundation
The Nursing Education and Research Foundation (NERF) supports nurses, midwives, caregivers and students across Aotearoa New Zealand through scholarships, grants and research funding.
NERF is currently transitioning to an independent organisational model to strengthen how it supports nursing education, research and professional development into the future.
Get more information about NERF funding opportunities
WUWHS 2026: Seeks your support to share with colleagues and partners
Kia ora koutou katoa
Warm greetings from the World Union of Wound Healing Societies 2026 Organising Committee.
We are writing to request the support of your esteemed society in actively promoting the WUWHS Congress 2026 to your colleagues and networks.
WUWHS 2026 is a truly global scientific platform, bringing together international experts, clinicians, researchers, and industry leaders in wound healing. Strong participation from leading societies such as yours is essential to ensuring global representation, scientific excellence, and meaningful collaboration across the wound care community.
We kindly request your support in sharing WUWHS 2026 details with your members through your website, email communications, and social media channels, and in encouraging them to:
- Register early to take advantage of the Early Bird registration benefits
- Submit abstracts and contribute to the global scientific programme
- Be part of a prestigious international congress driving collaboration, learning, and innovation in wound care
Event information, registration details, and abstract submission guidelines are available on the official congress website: www.wuwhs2026.org. Your support in disseminating this information will play a key role in strengthening global engagement and advancing wound care worldwide.
To support your outreach efforts, please use the link below to download official WUWHS 2026 promotional flyers and marketing materials, which may be shared with your members across all communication platforms: www.wuwhs2026.org/promotional-toolkit.
Should you require any further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming your society and members to WUWHS 2026.
Thank you for your continued support and collaboration.
Warm regards
Ker Yee
On behalf of the WUWHS 2026 Organising Committee
Research on the use of AI in lung cancer screening
Kia ora College of PHC Nurses
As part of a research project funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) and conducted by researchers from the University of Otago/Ōtakou Whakaihu Waka and Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora, we are looking for health professionals (including nurses) to take part in a short online survey. This survey looks at views on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in lung cancer screening and takes around 15 minutes.
We are contacting the College of PHC Nurses to see if you would be able to assist us in publicising our survey amongst your members. It is likely that lung cancer screening will be implemented in the foreseeable future in New Zealand, and we know that AI will inevitably be part of a national screening programme. It is therefore important to us to ensure that its use is acceptable from a provider perspective. We have similar research focusing on how acceptable it might be to participants.
We have attached two forms of an ‘advertisement’ that we have ethics approval for to recruit nurses to take part in our survey. We would appreciate it if you could please indicate what options there might be for publicizing our survey though your communication channels (newsletters, web-sites etc), or if there is any additional information you might require to assist with this.
Slide information and advertisement for health prof survey
Information and advertisement for health prof and radiologist survey
Ngā mihi
Nina Veenstra (she/her/ia)
PhD MPH BSc (physio)
Research Fellow | Kairuruku
University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka
Ngāi Tahu Māori Health Research Unit | Te Rōpū Rakahau Hauora Māori o Kāi Tahu and Early Learning in Medicine (ELM)
Invitation to Consult: BREATHE Respiratory Strategy
Project BREATHE (Building Respiratory Excellence Across the Health Ecosystem), is sector-led initiative, to develop a national respiratory strategy for Aotearoa for adoption by Government, and we invite all NZ College of Primary Health Care Nurses to contribute insights and experience.
Strategy development is governed by the BREATHE Steering Committee, comprising representatives from across the respiratory sector including:
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Allied Health and Research
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Asthma and Respiratory Foundation,
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Asthma New Zealand
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NZNO College of Respiratory Nurses,
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Paediatric Society of NZ
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Pharmacy
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Respiratory Clinical Leads Network (rural and urban)
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Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, and is
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supported by Deloitte New Zealand as a pro bono service.
We are currently consulting across six high‑level condition groups:
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Acute Respiratory Infections
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Airways
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Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
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Lung Cancer
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Pulmonary Vascular disease
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Sleep & Ventilation.
Given your expertise in one or more of these areas, your perspective would be highly valued in helping us create a comprehensive and accurate view of current challenges, opportunities, and priorities across the sector. If you are unable to participate, please nominate other individual(s) within your organisation who are well-positioned to contribute.
Your input would be greatly valued to inform the Strategy, especially during a period of high interest in respiratory health from key funders. The Strategy will inform implementation, funding, and investment to improve respiratory outcomes. I have attached an Invitation to Consult sheet, which provides further detail on the initiative, consultation process, and how information will be used.
Participation is entirely voluntary – there is no expectation. Our preference is a virtual group workshop (2 hours) however we understand you may have constraints on your time/ capacity so a short survey is available if you prefer.
If you are available/ interested, can you please register your interest here by midday on Friday, 29 May BREATHE Strategy | Workshop Registration of Interest – Fill out form
We believe Consultation should be broad to reflect the breadth of respiratory health. Every voice is important so we would greatly appreciate if you advised us on individuals within your network who may be interested in participating, including their contact details. We will contact them directly.
Given the limited timeframes for this project, Teresa Chalecki will be assisting with stakeholder outreach on behalf of the Deloitte project team, who are centrally coordinating and managing the consultation process.
We appreciate your consideration. Once your registration of interest is captured, we will be in touch regarding next steps and meeting times. Please feel free to reach out to us at nzbreathe@deloitte.co.nz if you have any questions.
Ngā mihi nui
Project BREATHE team
Letter to the sector on Influenza from National Director
A letter from the National Director Nick Chamberlian on Influenza.
Immunisation
National Public Health Service