Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orāna, Ni sa bula vinaka, Kam na mauri, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Gude tru, Noa’ia, Tālofa lava, Halo olketa, Mālo ni, Mālō e lelei, Fakatālofa atu
Meningococcal Disease
- The National Public Health Service in Wellington had been notified of a person with meningococcal disease.
- The person attended the popular Te Kiwa Nui festival on Friday 7 August 2026.
- The public health team has assessed the risk to students and kaimahi who attended the festival as low and no close contacts have been identified.
- With recent Meningococcal cases notified across our communities, we want to remind you of the resources and information available.
🤒 Symptoms 😷
- Meningococcal bacteria live in people’s noses and throats and are spread by coughing, sneezing or contact with nose and throat secretions.
- The infection is passed on only when people have close or prolonged contact with an infected person.
- It is important that everyone one knows the early signs of meningococcal disease.
- If you are concerned that you or someone in your household has meningococcal disease, ring a doctor, medical centre or Healthline on 0800 611 116 urgently.
| Common symptoms in pēpē and tamariki include: | Common symptoms in adults include: |
| fever (temperature over 38°C)crying, being unsettled, and irritablesleepy, floppy, hard to wakerefusing drinks or feedsthrowing up (vomiting)stiff neck dislike of bright lightsrash — purple or red spots or bruises. | fever (temperature over 38°C)headachefeeling sick (nausea) and throwing up (vomiting)drowsiness, confusionjoint pains, aching musclesstiff neckdislike of bright lightsrash — purple or red spots or bruises. |
You can find out more about symptoms here: 👉 Meningococcal disease
Resources available for you
✨ Meningococcal B Disease Vaccination | KidsHealth New Zealand’s Trusted Voice On Children’s Health
✨Immunise Against Meningococcal Disease (poster) – HE2394 – HealthEd
✨Meningococcal Disease – Don’t Wait, Take Action – HE2417 – HealthEd
✨Baby and Child Sickness – Danger Signs – English – HE4240 – HealthEd
✨For a full suite of translated resources – click here: 👉 HealthEd
Useful links:
👉For further support you can contact the National Public Health Service Greater Wellington on 04 570 9002 or call Healthline free on 0800 611 116, anytime 24/7 for advice.
👉For more information about meningococcal disease visit: healthnz.govt.nz/meningococcal-disease
👉Meningitis In Children & Young People | KidsHealth New Zealand’s Trusted Voice On Children’s Health
👉 Meningococcal disease, meningitis and septicaemia topics | Healthify
Meitaki maata, Vinaka vakalevu, Kam rabwa, Fakaaue lahi, Tenkyu tru, Faiaksea, Fa’afetai lava, Tagio tumas, Fakafetai, Mālō ‘aupito, Fāfetai, Tankiu tumas, and Ngā mihi.
