Medical Alarms Cost Service Cost Changes
MEDICAL ALARM SERVICE COST CHANGES - Do read
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) funds the costs of medical alarm services to its eligible clients through the Disability Allowance.
As part of this funding, MSD regularly negotiates with medical alarm suppliers to make sure their clients continue to get a quality service at a competitive price. This supports people to stay safe and independent in their own homes.
From 19 August 2019, there’ll be a small change in the weekly cost for medical alarm services. The amount may increase, decrease, or stay the same depending
on the supplier.
To make sure people stay safe, there’ll be no interruption to people’s medical alarm service. MSD
will write to people letting them know about the change and will automatically adjust the Disability Allowance payments of people affected.
If you have a medical alarm provided by a non-accredited supplier you can still get the cost of the alarm covered by your Disability Allowance. If you choose to change to a different supplier, you’ll need to choose an accredited supplier.
The assessment and application process for the Disability Allowance hasn’t changed.
The MSD-accredited suppliers of medical alarm services are:
ADT Security Ltd 0800 111 238 or 0800 238 272
Chubb New Zealand 0800 20 30 40
Freedom Medical Alarms 0800 380 280
St John Medical Alarms 0800 502 323
Red Wolf High Level Monitoring 0800 673 252
MSD is also adding more accredited suppliers soon. This will give people more choice when choosing a MSD-accredited supplier.
Some Choice News!
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Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Will these roadworks affect you?
Don’t expect a quick trip between Cambridge and Tamahere for much of this year, because major roadworks are starting.
Asphalt works on that section of Waikato Expressway will run from March through to late 2026, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says. Motorists are warned to plan for significant delays.
“Unfortunately the pavement, particularly in the slow lanes, has deteriorated faster than expected,” NZTA’s Roger Brady said.
Will these roadworks affect you? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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