26559 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

26559 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What are the current eligibility criteria, if any, for whānau and families to receive support through the Healthy Homes Initiative delivered by Health New Zealand?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that the current criteria for familes to receive support through the Healthy Homes Initiative is that the applicant's household includes a child (aged up to 19); the household is low income (or the applicant has a Community Services Card), and there is a New Zealand resident living at the home. I am further advised that households must also have at least one of the following factors: • Someone living in the house has rheumatic fever (and is receiving bicillin injections) • There is a pregnant woman or newborn living in the house • The household is overcrowded • There are children (aged up to 19) living in the house who have previously been hospitalised with illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchiolitis, rheumatic fever, or meningitis. • The family is receiving a benefit.