Faster access to primary and specialist mental health and addiction care is having a flow-on effect. 

The latest data shows nearly 84% of people are accessing primary care within a week, surpassing the government's target, while 80.3% are accessing specialist support within three weeks. 

Some regions, including Northland, Gisborne and Nelson Marlborough don't meet either of the targets. 

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey told Ryan Bridge the work continues, but it's good to see some signs of improvement. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Faster access to primary and specialist mental health and addiction care is having a flow-on effect.&nbsp;
The latest data shows nearly 84% of people are accessing primary care within a week, surpassing the government's target, while 80.3% are accessing specialist support within three weeks.&nbsp;
Some regions, including Northland, Gisborne and Nelson Marlborough don't meet either of the targets.&nbsp;
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey told Ryan Bridge the work continues, but it's good to see some signs of improvement.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Matt Doocey: Mental Health Minister on the decreasing wait times for mental health services

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/aa27bd1f-f10f-45c1-bfae-b368016c63c4/transcript

Liquor licensing mayhem for Christchurch bar owners as the opening of the new stadium nears.  

Super Rugby's Super Round games will be played at One NZ Stadium on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Anzac weekend.  

But alcohol laws mean bars must close at midnight on Friday and can't serve alcohol without a meal before 1pm on Saturday.  

Hospitality NZ's Canterbury President Jeremy Stevens told Ryan Bridge they've been hoping to get an exemption. 

But he says despite the council and Mayor Phil Mauger being on board, current legislation won't allow it 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Liquor licensing mayhem for Christchurch bar owners as the opening of the new stadium nears. &nbsp;
Super Rugby's Super Round games will be played at One NZ Stadium on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Anzac weekend. &nbsp;
But alcohol laws mean bars must close at midnight on Friday and can't serve alcohol without a meal before 1pm on Saturday. &nbsp;
Hospitality NZ's Canterbury President Jeremy Stevens told Ryan Bridge they've been hoping to get an exemption.&nbsp;
But he says despite the council and Mayor Phil Mauger being on board, current legislation won't allow it&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Jeremy Stevens: Hospitality NZ Canterbury President on the impact of liquor licensing laws on the first round of Super Rugby in Christchurch

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e015444d-2a0f-46b0-9ae4-b3fb016c1027/transcript

A former chair of Health New Zealand says a fix to issues within health data systems has likely been put off, after a possible hack of MediMap. 

The platform's widely used across the country, especially in aged care, disability, hospice, and community health. 

Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge there's a lot of issues within data systems that need fixing. 

He says it's expensive, can be complex and isn't headline grabbing, so it's the sort of thing people put off. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A former chair of Health New Zealand says a fix to issues within health data systems has likely been put off, after a possible hack of MediMap.&nbsp;
The platform's widely used across the country, especially in aged care, disability, hospice, and community health.&nbsp;
Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge there's a lot of issues within data systems that need fixing.&nbsp;
He says it's expensive, can be complex and isn't headline grabbing, so it's the sort of thing people put off.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Rob Campbell: Former Health NZ Chair on the MediMap data breach

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bca62810-6695-493d-bdfd-b3fb01681f76/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 25th of Feburary 2025, nurses at aged care facilities are going back to paper-based prescriptions after Medimaps data breach, Former Health NZ Chair shares his concerns. 

Christchurch bar owners say Anzac Day liquor laws will ‘shut the city down’ on the new stadium’s opening night, Jeremy Stevens Hospitality NZ Canterbury Branch President tells Ryan how much it'll impact bars. 

Pharmac's looking at funding two new Melanoma drugs, medical oncologist and Melanoma specialist Dr Gareth Rivalland tells Ryan how big of a difference the drugs would make. 

UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on trade minister Chris Bryant calling Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a "rude, arrogant and entitled man" and a baby boy has become the first child in the UK to be born using a womb transplanted from a dead donor.

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 25th of Feburary 2025, nurses at aged care facilities are going back to paper-based prescriptions after Medimaps data breach, Former Health NZ Chair shares his concerns.&nbsp;
Christchurch bar owners say Anzac Day liquor laws will ‘shut the city down’ on the new stadium’s opening night, Jeremy Stevens Hospitality NZ Canterbury Branch President tells Ryan how much it'll impact bars.&nbsp;
Pharmac's looking at funding two new Melanoma drugs, medical oncologist and Melanoma specialist Dr Gareth Rivalland tells Ryan how big of a difference the drugs would make.&nbsp;
UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on trade minister Chris Bryant calling Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a "rude, arrogant and entitled man" and a baby boy has become the first child in the UK to be born using a womb transplanted from a dead donor.
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 25 February 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c16abd40-0f40-4fab-9a4e-b3fb011a90f0/transcript

Matt Doocey: Mental Health Minister on the decreasing wait times for mental health services

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