# New Zealand daily digest — 13 Oct 2026

Health New Zealand led the day with three of five releases, covering the first patients at the New Dunedin Hospital outpatient building, a new 28-bed modular inpatient unit at Hawke's Bay Hospital, and a call for students to check measles immunity before NCEA exams. Education Minister Erica Stanford responded to an independent review finding the Teaching Council missed repeated chances to act against a convicted teacher, while Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey marked a new peer-led Crisis Recovery Café in Mt Eden.

Source-local date: Tuesday 13 October 2026 (Pacific/Auckland). 5 release(s). Canonical: https://mediarelease.co/digests/nz/2026-10-13/

## Releases

### [First patients welcomed to New Dunedin Hospital outpatient building](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01917-first-patients-welcomed-to-new-dunedin-hospital-outpati-13102026.html)

Issued by: Health New Zealand · Original source: https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/news-and-updates/first-patients-welcomed-to-new-dunedin-hospital-outpatient-building

The New Dunedin Hospital Outpatients building, Whare Mātūtū, at 360 Cumberland Street welcomed its first patients on 12 October, with Mosgiel man John Forrester the first through the doors. The facility houses outpatient clinics, radiology and imaging, day surgery and procedure rooms, and some services have moved from the existing hospital. Health New Zealand Southern asked patients to check appointment details for their service's new location.

### [Auckland gets another Crisis Recovery Café](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01916-auckland-gets-another-crisis-recovery-cafe-13102026.html)

Issued by: Hon Matt Doocey, Minister for Mental Health · Original source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/auckland-gets-another-crisis-recovery-cafe

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the opening of Te Piringa Āhuru ki Maungawhau, a peer-led Crisis Recovery Café in Mt Eden, Auckland, run by Ember. People can walk in without a referral for support from peer workers with lived experience of mental health or addiction. The café opened on 9 October and will operate seven days a week from 27 October. It is the third such café in the Northern Region this year.

### [Boost for patient care in Hawke's Bay as new inpatient unit opens](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01915-boost-for-patient-care-in-hawke-s-bay-as-new-inpatient-13102026.html)

Issued by: Health New Zealand · Original source: https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/news-and-updates/boost-for-patient-care-in-hawkes-bay-as-new-inpatient-unit-opens

Health New Zealand has opened a fully staffed 28-bed modular inpatient unit at Hawke's Bay Hospital, built in nine months to ease pressure on the emergency department and wards. The unit will house short-stay surgical patients and surgical assessment services. It is the first of five units in the national Interim Inpatient Unit Programme, which will add 140 beds, with further units planned at Nelson, Middlemore, Waikato and Wellington Regional hospitals.

### [Check measles protection now to avoid disruption during NCEA exams](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01914-check-measles-protection-now-to-avoid-disruption-during-13102026.html)

Issued by: Health New Zealand · Original source: https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/news-and-updates/check-measles-protection-now-to-avoid-disruption-during-ncea-exams

Health New Zealand is urging secondary students and their whānau to confirm measles immunity before NCEA exams and assessments start, citing rising overseas outbreaks and travel after the school holidays. National Clinical Director Dr Susan Jack said unprotected students exposed to a case may have to stay away from school. The agency noted it managed 48 confirmed cases and more than 7,500 contacts during New Zealand's 2025 outbreak.

### [Damning report shows Teaching Council failed to protect children](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01882-damning-report-shows-teaching-council-failed-to-protect-13102026.html)

Issued by: Hon Erica Stanford, Minister of Education · Original source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/damning-report-shows-teaching-council-failed-protect-children

An independent regulatory review by Katherine Anderson KC found the Teaching Council had at least 10 opportunities over more than a decade to act against teacher Timothy Fisher, including in 2015 when it learned of his earlier indecency convictions. Fisher is now in prison after being convicted of indecently assaulting nine girls and other offences. Education Minister Erica Stanford said the Council failed to protect children, and Cabinet has agreed to change Clean Slate legislation to strengthen background checks.

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