Mike Houlahan

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.

A steady stream of Lime scooter-related casualties have made their way to Dunedin Hospital's emergency department since the electric vehicles made their debut in the city last week.

After months of silence, some details have finally emerged about the Government's review of health and disability services.

A shortage of total mobility taxis and trained drivers is compromising the ability of Dunedin's disabled community to get around town, Disabled Persons Assembly local spokesman Chris Ford says.

Dunedin resident doctor James Anderson and many of his colleagues walked off the wards this morning, as a 48-hour strike began at 7am.