Cooking with gas: a new front in the culture wars

Cooking with gas: a new front in the culture wars
While the US debate on cooking with gas becomes a political issue, health officials in NZ say it safe if people are sensible. (Image: DepositPhotos)
Ian Llewellyn
The chances of the ferocious gas safety argument in the United States spreading to New Zealand look unlikely with health officials here saying the health risks are minimal if people are sensible and follow the rules.A recent suggestion by US officials that there should be some standards for burning gas in the home for cooking, or even possibly a ban on new installations, exploded into a new front in the ‘culture wars’.The debate about whether it was safe, whether the risks could be mitigated and what standards could apply were quick...

More Health

The $20b plan to improve our old, risk-prone hospitals
Infrastructure

The $20b plan to improve our old, risk-prone hospitals

Simeon Brown released the long-awaited plan and details of a new Dunedin Hospital tender.

Oliver Lewis 16 Apr 2025
How to drink and eat fewer microplastics
Health

How to drink and eat fewer microplastics

They’re now found throughout the human body, but you can cut your exposure.

The financial chaos behind Health NZ's governance shake-up
Politics

The financial chaos behind Health NZ's governance shake-up

Complexity of merging district health boards was greatly underestimated.

Jem Traylen 07 Mar 2025
Health minister announces return of Health NZ board after axing
News in Brief

Health minister announces return of Health NZ board after axing

Health Minister Simeon Brown will reinstate a governing board at Health NZ after it was axed and replaced with a commissioner in July last year under his predecessor, Dr Shane Reti.Brown said it was time to begin the process of transitioning to traditional governance. Nominations...

Staff reporters 07 Mar 2025