Children had their own confer­ence “programme” back in the early days of the then Rural GP Network; pastoral care of isolated rural GP families was a major focus. Three decades later the network, which evolved into an advocacy and support group for rural general practice and all rural health professionals, has voted itself out of existence. Dr Davidson believes it is common sense to have a single voice for rural health when all parties have a common vision. Hauora Taiwhenua is absorbing the Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand, Rural Nurses New Zealand, the New Zealand Rural Hospital Net­work, New Zealand Institute of Rural Health and Students of Rural Health Aotearoa, each of which has its own chapter. Other chapters have been set up for rural midwives and maternity provid­ers, rural allied health professionals and Whānau Whānui for rural Māori health professionals and providers.

Get yourself comfortable and settle in for Stuff's best long reads of 2022. STUFF How a shallow lake nestled high in the Central Otago hill country could electrify the country. (First published June 2022)How a shallow lake nestled high in the Central Otago hill country could electrify the countryA lake in Central Otago could serve as the biggest public infrastructure project in nearly half a century. As far as lakes go, Onslow – installed high in a basin above Roxburgh in Central Otago – leaves much to be desired. A stroke paralysed a conductor - but the music didn't stop playingA New Zealander has a stroke every 55 minutes.

One motorist had a rough start to Christmas, being cut from their car after it crashed into a ditch near Invercargill. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said crews from Invercargill and Kingswell stations were called to the intersection of Mill Rd North (State Highway 1) and East Rd about 1.25am today. They helped free one person who was trapped in the vehicle, the spokeswoman said. A police spokeswoman said officers responded to reports of a car being found in a ditch. SH1 was closed for a short period of time and one person was in the car.

The “savings” we’re primed to expect on Boxing Day, will just be repeated at later dates. Photo / Andrew WarnerThe “savings” we’re primed to expect on Boxing Day, will just be repeated at later dates. The “savings” we’re primed to expect on Boxing Day, will just be repeated at later dates. What’s more, you deserve some more time out from the daily grind, and running the gauntlet of crowds isn’t that. Here are 10 reasons to avoid the mall tomorrow:

Damien Grant is an Auckland business owner and a regular opinion contributor for Stuff, writing from a libertarian perspective. Which brings me back to that photo of Seymour and Ardern grinning in what appeared to be genuine bonhomie. Even more consequently, outspoken lawyer Sue Grey has been the focus of intense criticism as some believe that someone with her political views should not be entitled to practise law. Remarkably, we have evolved a political system where the greatest challenge to our individual liberty does not always come from those with political power, but from each other. Stuff Damien Grant is an Auckland business owner and a regular opinion contributor for Stuff, writing from a libertarian perspective.

Video / APThere are concerns that the death toll in China could surge after the lifting of most 'zero-Covid' rules. Video / APChina’s top health authority has confirmed that the country’s current outbreak is, by far, the largest the world has seen. China’s top health authority has confirmed the country’s current outbreak is, by far, the largest the world has ever seen. Once the lockdown lifted, however, the official nationwide death toll sat at zero for six months – despite soaring case numbers. According to Jin, the inconsistencies reveal China’s method of counting Covid deaths to be “entirely subjective”.

Hannah Burnett-Grant and Nicole Harris will be taking to the air on Christmas Day. “Air New Zealand is very inclusive, but you do have to be able to get along with the boys,” Harris said. When it comes to working on Christmas Day, Burnett-Grant said it was “all about connecting people”. Christmas Day at Air New Zealand isn’t like any other day, with staff getting into the festive spirit. Supplied The two pilots said Christmas Day at Air New Zealand has a whole different vibe.

New Zealand Herald morning quiz: December 25 NZ Herald 24 Dec, 2022 04:00 PM Quick Read Save share What city are the McCallisters travelling to when they leave Kevin behind in Home Alone? Photo / FileWhat city are the McCallisters travelling to when they leave Kevin behind in Home Alone? Photo / File

Nicole Hunter, 49, is missing from the Stoke, Nelson area. Photo / SuppliedNicole Hunter, 49, is missing from the Stoke, Nelson area. Photo / SuppliedPolice are searching for a 49-year-old Nelson woman who has been missing since Tuesday. Nicole Hunter has gone missing from the Stoke area and police are seeking sightings from the public. “Police and her family have concerns for her safety.”It is thought that Hunter could still be in the Nelson area or as far away as the Marlborough District.

Michael James Pratt. Photo: Supplied via NZ HeraldA New Zealand fugitive who is wanted on sex trafficking charges has been arrested in Spain, the FBI says. Michael James Pratt, from Christchurch, was arrested on Wednesday in Madrid. An FBI statement said Pratt was wanted on 19 charges including sex trafficking, production of child pornography, sex trafficking of a minor and money laundering. New Zealander Michael James Pratt has been named on the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list.

A NZ Post "super-depot" in Wellington. From January to September 2022, NZ Post delivered 110 million letters. “In the 2022 financial year, NZ Post delivered 238 million mail items, a decrease of 36 million on the previous year, and this is forecast to decline further. More price increases are likelyConditions have improved significantly since then, but NZ Post is still grappling with the pandemic’s impacts. “In 2020 the Government committed to providing $130 million over three years to NZ Post,” Main said.

A large fire burning near a small West Coast town has been brought under control. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said a crew from Brunner station was initially called to the fire when it was reported near the intersection of State Highway 7 and Moa St about 3pm. As the fire was moving quite fast in the grass, the station called for backup from Greymouth station, the spokesman said. A second alarm was sounded and two helicopters were dispatched, although one was stood down before arriving. The fire reached a size of about 100m by 400m near some train tracks, which required a locomotive to be stopped.

A New Zealand man on the FBI’s ten most wanted fugitives list has been arrested in Spain while staying at a hotel in Madrid under a false name. Michael James Pratt, originally from Christchurch, was named on the FBI’s most wanted list in September. New Zealander Michael James Pratt was arrested in Spain. The police shared a video of the moment they took the 40-year-old into custody on Twitter. Only 57 criminals on the FBI’s most wanted list have been apprehended outside the bureau’s jurisdiction, Spanish authorities said, adding that it was the first time this has occurred in Spain.

Alihan Kabal is ‘very sad’ and ‘shocked’ that his dream trip to NZ was derailed so soon before he was set to depart. There have been changes to international flights this year too, including services to and from North America as a result of the arctic storm sweeping across the US and Canada. The cancelled flights were Jetstar flight JQ199 from Sydney, Air New Zealand flight NZ23 from Vancouver, and Air New Zealand flight NZ27 from Chicago. The rescheduled services were Korean Air flight KE411 from Seoul and Air Canada flight AC39 from Vancouver. Wellington and Christchurch airports’ flight information did not show any international cancellations for Christmas Eve.

For people at risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19, the antiviral drug Paxlovid can be a game-changer. But a leading GP says roughly 30% of New Zealanders eligible are turning down antivirals. It would later be known as Paxlovid – and has since emerged as the country’s preferred Covid-19 antiviral. And while barriers to access have emerged, there is a wedge of people who are turning antivirals down. Supplied Boxes of Paxlovid antivirals for Covid-19.