New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists

17/12/2025

We're very excited to launch our first issue of Te Puna Kairehu, the next step in the NZSA’s magazine. Now a fully online publication, Te Puna Kairehu, shares all the same articles from across our Aotearoa anaesthesia and medical community alongside updates from further abroad.

This December issue features:
- From PANNZ 2025: Take a deep breath: Effective techniques you can employ to regulate the fight or flight response and ease children’s fears when they come in for a procedure.
- Two weeks volunteering in a Namibian Hospital.
- Decommissioning nitrous oxide across Aotearoa. An update from Dunedin and other main centres.
- Features from the 2025 Aotearoa NZ Anaesthesia ASM

Plus loads more!
Happy reading:

16/12/2025

Congratulations, Dr Gabrielle Kinzett-Carran, on being awarded the NZSA Prize for Best Quality Assurance Project at the NZ Annual Registrars Meeting for her audit of SipTilSend implementation at Waikato Hospital.

Whaka mihi to all prize winners at the NZ Annual Registrars’ Meeting. Our thanks to the Joint Anaesthesia Faculty Auckland (JAFA) and the Organising Committee for hosting another valuable event for our trainee community that the NZSA is proud to have sponsored.

09/12/2025

Registration is open for the PANNZ Educational Update Meeting 2026 in Tauranga.
Jointly hosted by the NZSA and SPANZA.

Saturday 28 March: PANNZ Educational Update Meeting & Optional CICO & ALS Workshops
Sunday 29 March: EPIC Workshop
Register now: www.spanza.org.au/Web/Events/2026-EVENTS/2026-PANNZ

This event brings together clinicians and professionals with an interest in paediatric anaesthesia to share knowledge, strengthen networks, and support high-quality care for children.

05/12/2025

Thank you to the organisers, presenters and everyone who attended yesterday’s Inpatient Pain Network Meeting & Pain Nurses NZ National Education day.

The NZSA values being able to support these events and networks as part of the community and education we offer here in Aotearoa.

04/12/2025

We are delighted to share that Dr Hannah Middleton has been awarded the BWT Ritchie Scholarship for 2026. Hannah will be undertaking her Fellowship at Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane next year.

The BWT Ritchie Scholarship provides a significant financial contribution to assist a New Zealand based anaesthesia trainee in undertaking an international fellowship. It is administered by the ANZAEC – a joint subcommittee of the NZSA and ANZCA NZNC.

Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists

01/12/2025

The WFSA's next webinar: Optimising surgical outcomes through evidence-based acute pain protocols across the perioperative stages.
Dec 3, 4am - or sign up for the recording.

Managing acute pain requires a structured approach, because it is a patient's right to be pain-free. Because anaesthesiologists are the leaders of the surgical procedures, the WFSA must encourage the promotion and education of the guidelines and protocols that are constantly changing on acute pain m...

26/11/2025

Just a couple more days to register for on-demand access to recordings of the Aotearoa NZ Anaesthesia ASM 2025 Scientific Programme to watch at your own pace up until the end of January.
On-demand registration closes 30 November.

https://www.nzanaesthesia.com/on-demand-registration/

26/11/2025

We are delighted to share that the recipient of the 2025 NZSA President's Award is Dr Matt Jenks!

Awarded in recognition of Matt's significant contributions towards improving our environment and reducing the carbon footprint of anaesthesia, in particular his recent efforts in removing leaks and later decommissioning reticulated nitrous oxide at Dunedin hospital – all with no loss of clinical choice or patient care. Alongside his services to safe anaesthesia in the Pacific region.

Matt is a member of both the NZSA’s Global Health Committee and the Environmental and Sustainability Network. He also helps in facilitating the Pacific Anaesthesia Collaborative Training Programme - PACT.

Please join us in congratulating Dr Matt Jenks 👏

24/11/2025

Society for Paediatric Anaesthesia in New Zealand and Australia (SPANZA) has a new look! Both a fresh brand launch and a new website (same address). Check it out www.spanza.org.au

Become a member for exclusive access to resources, networking, education, and advocacy in paediatric anaesthesia across New Zealand and Australia!

23/11/2025

Issue 6, November 2025, of the AIC Journal is out now! NZSA Memberships, including the Journal, can access the latest via the Membership Dashboard, linked below.
This issue featuring:
- Characteristics and outcomes of nonagenarians admitted to the intensive care unit: A single-centre observational study
- A perioperative audit of smoking, smoking cessation advice and pharmacological management of ni****ne dependence: Are guidelines enough?
- Enhancing the readability of anaesthesia-related patient education materials using artificial intelligence

Access via your NZSA membership

19/11/2025

If you didn't make it to Aotearoa NZ Anaesthesia ASM 2025, you can still register for on-demand access to recordings of the scientific programme. Both on-demand and in-person attendees can watch recordings between 24 November - 31 January.

Register for on-demand before November 30. https://www.nzanaesthesia.com/on-demand-registration/

18/11/2025

Save the date - The Combined Scientific Congress 2026 (CSC), 8-11 October, Hunter Valley, NSW!
A combined NZSA and Australian Society of Anaesthetists event. It will bring together anaesthesia professionals from across Australia and New Zealand for a dynamic and engaging programme set in a wonderful region known for its rolling vineyards, gourmet food experiences, and breathtaking scenery.

https://csc2026.com.au/