Mike Houlahan

Trudy Galer has one of those jobs people enter medicine for - she can save lives.

Sarah Dowie's short-lived political career looks all but over.

The former Cadbury chocolate factory will be the site of the future main building of the new Dunedin Hospital, it has been confirmed.

The battle to prevent the downgrading of the Lumsden Maternity Centre will not go to court, but its owners say that does not mean the fight to preserve its status has ended.

An unwanted roller-coaster ride resulted in all passengers on an Air New Zealand flight from Christchurch to Invercargill on Wednesday having their tickets refunded.

Childhood exposure to lead has been linked to adult mental health and personality problems.

A Kurow mother who moved to Auckland to access treatment for her daughter's eating disorder has had to travel even further for the specialised help needed.

The main character in a new Dunedin-penned children's book is smart, savvy, and has a sharp sense of humour.

A superb breeding season may make a vital contribution to the future of the royal albatross colony at Pukekura, the Peninsula Trust says.

Dunedin has its first royal baby of the year, with the hatching of the first Royal Albatross chicks at the Taiaroa Head colony.

Heatwaves can kill, there will be more of them, and district health boards, councils and businesses need to develop health plans to manage their effects, the Ministry of Health says.

Dunedin Hospital’s new $14.8 million critical care facility remains closed almost two months after it was due to open to patients.

The law governing synthetic cannabis and other "legal highs" has not achieved its purpose of protecting health and minimising harm, the Ministry of Health says.

The number of South Islanders with dementia will double within 20 years, but the country is far from ready from being able to cope, health reporter Mike Houlahan finds.

New Zealand should steer a middle course between strict prohibition and complete legalisation when and if it overhauls cannabis laws, University of Otago researchers say.

Research findings that young people are poorly informed about contraception have come as no surprise to people who work with pregnant teenagers.

Routines have started returning to normal at southern hospitals in the wake of the two-day strike by resident doctors.