The government's putting $10 million towards the development of a vaccine to help prevent strep throat, and in turn, rheumatic fever and subsequent heart disease.
The University of Auckland will lead the work next year, in collaboration with researchers in Australia which also has high rates of the disease.
The funding will go towards monitoring of the strep A bacteria that causes strep throat, lab testing infrastructure, and preparation for clinical trials.
Porirua GP, and head of college of GPs, Dr Bryan Betty talks to RNZ's Max Towle - and explains what he knows of the suspected case in the region.
