The Latest Breaking News from Ayesha Verrall

NZ Labour apes Albo's Labor with 'Medicard' policy

Australia's Medicare card would have a Kiwi equivalent if NZ Labour wins office, after a major policy play by Opposition Leader Chris Hipkins.

AAP · Oct 28, 2025

How New Zealand’s smoking ban got stubbed out – and what the UK can learn from it

Big tobacco ‘working in the shadows’ blamed for killing off NZ’s pioneering plan to protect future generations

The Guardian - UK · Apr 19, 2024

New Zealand debates whether ethnicity should be a factor for surgery waitlists

New Zealanders this week have been debating a thorny health care issue — whether ethnicity should be a factor in determining when patients get surgery

The Independent UK · Jun 22, 2023

New Zealand won't require Chinese arrivals to show COVID-19 test

The New Zealand government said on Wednesday it would not require travellers from China to produce a negative COVID-19 test, bucking a trend that has seen a number of nations implement such measures as cases surge in China.

Reuters · Jan 4, 2023

New Zealand’s world first laws effectively ban smoking in the future

New Zealand is set to bring about a smoke-free generation. One expert thinks this will kick off the next wave of tobacco control policies.

The New Daily · Dec 14, 2022

NZ Parliament Has Passed Legislation That Will Prevent Future Generations From Buying Cigarettes

The country wants to be completely smoke-free by 2025.

Pedestrian.tv · Dec 14, 2022

New Zealanders born after 2009 banned from EVER smoking in bid for cigarette-free future

In theory, someone trying to buy tobacco products 50 years from now in New Zealand would have to show ID to prove they are at least 62 years old - though Wellington has a stated aim of making the country smoke-free by 2025

Daily Mirror · Dec 13, 2022

New Zealand imposes world-first lifetime ban on young people buying cigarettes

It is part of a nationwide goal of having fewer than 5 per cent of New Zealanders smoking by 2025

Evening Standard · Dec 13, 2022

New Zealand passes historic law banning next generation from ever smoking

‘Thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives and the health system will be $5bn better off’

The Independent UK · Dec 13, 2022

New Zealand bans future generations from buying tobacco under new laws

Future generations of New Zealanders will be banned from purchasing tobacco as part of a package of new anti-smoking laws that passed parliament on Tuesday and are among the most strict in the world.

Reuters · Dec 13, 2022