The Health Ministry is stepping up its response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), confirming work is underway on a national AMR strategy and prescribing guidelines after recent outbreaks of vancomycin‑resistant enterococci (VRE) and carbapenemase‑producing organisms (CPO) in hospitals.

“Recent outbreaks of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and carbapenemase-producing organisms show AMR is here and affecting patients today,” Chief Science Advisor Dr Ian Town said. “Our health system is under pressure with demand for health services growing. Not acting on AMR now will only increase those pressures in the future.”

The Ministry’s update lands alongside the global awareness push under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) AMR campaign, which urges countries to “Act Now.” WHO estimates AMR directly caused 1.27 million deaths in 2019 and contributed to nearly five million more. By the end of 2030, patients with resistant infections in the Western Pacific region are projected to spend up to 172 million extra days in hospital. The wider economic hit includes projected healthcare costs of US$1 trillion by 2050 and potential annual global GDP losses of up to US$3.4 trillion by 2030.

New Zealand has joined other countries in a UN political declaration setting a target to reduce AMR-related deaths by 10% by 2030. Domestically, the Public Health Agency is working with Health New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries, the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) and others to coordinate the response.

Work streams listed by the Ministry include:

• Developing a national AMR strategy and national prescribing guidelines
• Reporting on antimicrobial use across the system
• Improving infection prevention and boosting immunisation rates
• Strengthening and better integrating public health surveillance

AMR is also flagged as a risk to primary industries such as dairy and horticulture, where antimicrobials are used to treat animal and plant diseases, with potential knock‑on effects for exports and food security. The Ministry reiterates the need for a “One Health” approach linking human, animal, and environmental health.

The public advice remains familiar but pointed: wash hands regularly, keep vaccinations up to date, follow safe food practices, cover cuts and prevent insect bites, and use antimicrobials only when prescribed for you, exactly as directed. Leftover medicines shouldn’t be shared; take any unused antimicrobials back to a pharmacy for safe disposal. The Ministry says people should trust clinical advice when antibiotics aren’t needed and ask about other ways to relieve symptoms.

While the Ministry outlines broad areas of work, it has not provided detailed timelines for the new strategy or prescribing guidelines. Further practical information on food safety and antimicrobial use in primary industries is available on the Ministry for Primary Industries website.