Middlemore Hospital's emergency department flooded with patients
People are being urged to seek the right medical care as patients flock to Middlemore Hospital's emergency department, nearly filling it to capacity.
A Counties Manukau Health Spokesperson said the level of presentations are not normal for this time of year.
"We are unsure as to the reasons for the increase however it is placing higher than usual demand on the emergency department," the spokesperson said.
“ We encourage the community to seek the right care for their condition and enable the emergency department to focus its resources on patients who have life-threatening emergencies.
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Accident and Medical clinics deliver support for patients who feel unwell outside of regular GP hours or on weekends and public holidays, the spokesperson said.
The clinics give free or low-cost care to children aged under 14 years, adults over 65 and community service card or high user health card holders.
The clinical director of Middlemore Hospital’s Emergency Department, Dr Vanessa Thornton, said most times a GP can provide medical advice and prescriptions and help to manage long-term conditions.
If people don’t have a family doctor they can
find one on Healthpoint, an online directory for GPs and medical clinics.
“In taking these steps people will be supporting our ED staff by enabling them to
focus their time and resources on patients who have life-threatening emergencies.”
Health advice is available 24 hours a day by calling Healthline on 0800 611 116.
By-election for Otara-Papatoetoe area
Just to let everyone know that we have another by-election happening, and here is the reason why. Below are details and dates, so keep an eye on your letter boxes.
The Manukau Court’s Ruling
The Manukau District Court determined that the Papatoetoe subdivision result of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board election was invalid, ruling that the outcome had been “materially affected” by voting irregularities. Judge Richard McIlraith found that the scale and nature of the irregularities met the legal threshold required to void an election under New Zealand’s local electoral laws.
In his decision, Judge McIlraith stated that the evidence presented — including reports of stolen voting papers, fraudulent use of ballots, and other procedural irregularities — was sufficient to conclude that the integrity of the election had been compromised. The court noted that at least 79 voting papers were identified as having been cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge during a judicially supervised examination of ballot boxes.
While the judge acknowledged that the election had been administered “properly and in accordance with all requirements” by Independent Election Services and the electoral officer, he concluded that the fraudulent activity originated outside the official process and nonetheless impacted the final result to a degree that required the election to be voided.
As a result of the ruling, the court ordered that a new election must be held, with Auckland Council confirming that the fresh poll must be completed by 9 April 2026
Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
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83.6% Same!
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16.4% Would have liked to try something different
Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲
I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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