Winter 2026 Newsletter – Western Heights Health Centre

Pānui Hōtoke 2026 – Winter Newsletter

Kia ora e te whānau,

As the cold sets in over Rotorua, we want to awhi you and your whānau to stay warm, well, and connected this winter. This pānui shares key updates about immunisations, our services, and how we can work together to protect hauora in our community.

Ngā mihi nui for being part of our Western Heights Health Centre whānau.

Staying Well This Winter – What to Do for Colds and Winter Bugs

Colds are very common in winter, especially for tamariki. Most are mild and get better on their own, but there’s a lot we can do to ease symptoms and stop them spreading through whānau.

What a cold usually looks like

Colds often come with:

  • a runny or blocked nose
  • sneezing
  • a sore throat
  • a mild cough
  • low‑grade fever (more common in tamariki)
  • feeling tired or achy

Symptoms usually peak in the first 2–3 days and improve over 7–10 days.

How to care for yourself or your tamariki

  • Rest and fluids: Waimāori (water) is best. Warm drinks can soothe a sore throat.
  • Paracetamol: Can help with fever or discomfort.
  • Saline nasal sprays or rinses: Helpful for blocked noses.
  • Honey for coughs (over 1 year old): A teaspoon of honey can ease night‑time coughing.
  • Warmth and comfort: Keep rooms warm and dry, and open windows briefly each day to air out the whare.

What doesn’t help

  • Antibiotics don’t work for colds — they only treat bacterial infections.
  • Cough syrups are not recommended for tamariki under 6.
  • “Cold and flu” combination medicines often don’t help much and can have side effects.

Preventing colds from spreading

  • Wash hands regularly with soap and water.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow.
  • Stay home if you’re unwell, especially in the first couple of days when you’re most infectious.
  • Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces if you’re coughing or sneezing.
  • Don’t share cups or utensils with others.

When to seek medical advice

Come and see us — or call for advice — if you or your tamariki have:

  • trouble breathing or breathing fast
  • chest pain
  • dehydration (dry nappies, dry mouth, no tears)
  • a fever lasting more than 3 days
  • symptoms that worsen instead of improve
  • a cough lasting more than 3 weeks
  • concerns about pēpi under 3 months old

If you’re unsure, reach out early — our team is here to help.

Rapid Response Free Clinic – Tamariki & Rangatahi

We continue to run our Rapid Response free clinic for tamariki and rangatahi aged 3–19 years with:

  • sore throats
  • skin rashes, infections or sores

Clinic hours:

  • Monday–Thursday: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
  • Friday: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • No appointment needed
  • No enrolment needed – just walk in

This service is especially important for preventing serious illnesses like rheumatic fever and skin infections that can lead to long‑term health problems. Please bring your tamariki or rangatahi in early if you’re worried about a sore throat or skin problem.

Keeping our community warm and well

A few simple steps can make a big difference this winter:

  • Stay home if you’re very unwell and call us or Healthline for advice.
  • Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces if you’re sick or at higher risk.
  • Keep homes warm and dry where possible—ventilate by opening windows briefly during the day.
  • Reach out early if you’re worried about your health or your tamariki.

Stay well this winter – Immunisations and winter illnesses

Immunisations are one of the strongest ways we can protect our tamariki, kaumātua and hapū māmā. Winter brings more coughs, colds and serious respiratory infections, so now is the time to check you and your whānau are up to date.

Flu (Influenza) vaccine

  • What: Flu is more than “just a cold” – it can cause severe illness and hospitalisation, especially for pēpi, older people and those with long‑term conditions.
  • Who: The flu vaccine is free for many people, including:
    • people aged 65+
    • pregnant people
    • people with certain long‑term conditions (like asthma, diabetes, heart disease)
    • some tamariki with significant respiratory illness histories.
  • When: Flu vaccines are available from 1 April each year—getting it early in winter gives the best protection.

Talk to our team to see if you or your whānau are eligible for a free flu vaccine and to book a time that works for you.

COVID‑19 boosters

COVID‑19 is still circulating and can be serious for some people. Extra doses are free for eligible adults, especially those at higher risk of severe illness. If you’re unsure when you last had a COVID‑19 vaccine or whether you’re due a booster, give us a call and we can check and book you in.

Whooping cough (Pertussis) – protecting pēpi

Aotearoa has been experiencing a whooping cough epidemic. This illness is particularly dangerous for newborn babies and young pēpi who are not fully immunised.

  • Hapū māmā: A free whooping cough vaccine is recommended from 16 weeks of every pregnancy. This helps protect pēpi until they can start their own immunisations at 6 weeks.
  • Pēpi and tamariki: It’s really important that baby immunisations are on time—especially the 6‑week, 3‑month and 5‑month vaccines. A runny nose alone is usually not a reason to delay; if you’re unsure, ring us and we can kōrero.

If you’re hapū, have a new pēpi in the whānau, or care for tamariki, please talk with us about whooping cough and childhood immunisations.

MyIndici – Your health, in your hands

We’re proud of how many of our patients are now using MyIndici, our free, secure patient portal.

With MyIndici you can:

  • Request repeat medications
  • Check your immunisation record and test results
  • View vitals and visit summaries
  • Check and manage your account

The easiest way to use MyIndici is through the app (Android and iOS). If you’re not yet registered, come into the clinic or phone us and we’ll get you set up.

Bonus: Repeat prescriptions requested through the portal are at a reduced price compared with phone requests.

If you’re having any trouble with the app or logging in, drop in and our kaimahi can walk you through it.

Repeat prescriptions – Easy options

  • Best option: Request repeats through MyIndici any time, day or night.
  • Other options: You can still request repeats by phone or in person if that works better for you.

Please allow enough time before your medication runs out, especially in winter when demand is higher.

Hei whakakapi – In closing

Our mission is to promote, protect and restore health for our community. We’re here to walk alongside you—together we can keep our whānau well this winter.

Haere mai, waea mai – please get in touch if you need us.

Western Heights Health Centre
Phone: (07) 347 0565