Fibre broadband expansion to 95% of NZ gets green light – a win for rural connectivity
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says Pharmac needs to reconsider its decision to fund only one brand of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) patches used by women going through perimenopause and menopause.
Earlier this week, Pharmac announced that Estradiol TDP Mylan would be the main funded brand of oestradiol patches from 1 July 2025 and would be the only funded brand available from 1 December 2025.
According to Pharmac, in the past three years, demand for oestradiol has tripled and is expected to continue rising.
The Mylan patches have been provisionally approved by Medsafe and Pharmac says it anticipates full approval by Medsafe before 1 July 2025.
The decision has been met with concern and outrage, with a petition being launched asking the government to step in and reverse the decision.
RWNZ national president Sandra Matthews says that while her organisation is pleased to see a more secure supply chain for oestradiol patches and gel after recent global shortages, the decision to limit the funded brands will remove “freedom of choice for women to make the right choice for their bodies”.
“This is causing concern for many women around New Zealand, many of whom have tried several different types of HRT patches before finding the right one,” Matthews says.
“Managing menopause is a major part of a woman’s life and this decision is affecting many women’s health, wellbeing and welfare during and already incredibly challenging period of their lives,” she says.
Matthews claims the decision is also inequitable because women who prefer other brands will need to fund them themselves or face using a brand that doesn’t work for them or could cause adverse effects.
“We call on Pharmac to do the right thing by women and reconsider its decision to de-list existing available brands,” she concludes.
Meanwhile, Pharmac chief executive Sarah Fitt says she understands people are concerned by the decision, but adds that it was Pharmac’s only option given the continuing supply issue.
“Pharmac has been managing ongoing supply shortages of the current oestradiol patches for several years, and we know that’s been very difficult for people,” Fitt says.
“Based on the information from the current supplier, Sandoz, it is unable to fully meet our supply needs with Estradot due to the continually increasing demand The company we will contract with, Viatris, has provided an assurance that it is able to meet current and future demand – making it the only viable option,” she says.
Fitt notes that the new brand may not be suitable for all women and so is working to ensure there is an alternative option available if needed.
“We’re still working out the details and we’ll share that information once it’s confirmed.”
New Zealand milk production is off to a strong start, with the first month of the 2025/26 dairy season recording a whopping 17.8% jump in milk production, compared to the previous season.
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
Keep up with innovation and e-commerce in China or risk losing market share. That was the message delivered at the China Business Summit in Auckland this month.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) independent chair Nathan Guy says getting meat processors involved has been a shot in the arm for the sector's key marketing initiative into China, Taste Pure Nature.
Listed carpet manufacturer, Bremworth is undertaking a $6 million expansion at its Napier plant more than two years after the site was heavily damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Federated Farmers is vowing to keep the big banks accountable for their actions and to continue pushing for meaningful change in the rural lending sector.
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