| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Kia ora tātou
I hope you’ve all managed to enjoy some of the (mostly!) lovely winter weather. With Grant currently over in France mixing a family holiday with supporting our NZMedJobs team at the WONCA Conference, I’ve happily taken over his usual newsletter spot to share a few highlights from what’s been a pretty full and rewarding month.
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of speaking as a keynote at the New Zealand Medical Students’ Association conference in Auckland. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with the next generation of clinicians and leaders, and to encourage them to consider a future in rural health. The passion and energy in the room was inspiring, and it was reassuring to see such strong interest in making a meaningful difference in our communities.
Another highlight this month was our annual Fieldays adventure, working alongside Mobile Health in the Hauora Taiwhenua Health and Wellbeing Hub at Mystery Creek. Marie, Robyn, and I tackled some very early (and very chilly!) starts but as always, it was well worth it.
Fieldays gave us a fantastic chance to connect directly with people from both rural and urban communities. Many were keen to share their own health experiences and challenges, and it was pretty eye-opening how many hadn’t connected with primary care in a while. It was a good reminder of just how important it is to keep championing proactive healthcare and access, especially in rural communities where getting care isn’t always straightforward.
We were also lucky to have an awesome group of students supporting us throughout the week, including RMIP students from Auckland (with support from Dr Dinesha Kumarawansa and Dr Alex McLeod), SORHA-supported medical students on placement at Waikato Hospital, and nursing students from the University of Waikato. They brought great energy to the Hub and did a brilliant job engaging with the public.
They also helped create a really fun and welcoming atmosphere, especially with our “lucky dip for your health” challenge, which sparked plenty of great conversations. There were even a few standout athletic moments, with students happily jumping in on the exercise challenges and keeping everyone entertained!
We also had the slightly daunting (and occasionally entertaining!) job of facilitating a political panel session with representatives from five political parties. With Grant at the helm, they were definitely put through their paces and asked to front up on their commitment to some key rural health issues. There was, as you might expect, a bit of enthusiastic toeing of party lines and the odd well-practised sidestep but encouragingly, there was still a good level of agreement on the big issues, and a shared sense of intent to work together to make progress.
On a more serious note, a significant development this month has been the conclusion of the PSAAP negotiations on future primary care funding. I know this has been a challenging and uncertain time for many of you, particularly general practice owners and their teams, as you’ve worked through what these changes might mean in practice.
After some refinement of the initial proposal and a fairly tight decision-making window, it’s encouraging to see agreement reached on a new funding formula - the first substantial update to the capitation model in over 20 years.
This marks a positive step forward, with increased investment in general practice and long-overdue recognition of the financial pressures many services are facing. It’s also great to see rurality now included in the funding calculations. That said, there’s still more to be done to ensure rural funding is applied in a way that is fair, sustainable, and truly reflects the realities of delivering care in our communities.
Looking ahead, we’ll continue to work with Health NZ on the rural funding issues, and advocate for further improvements, including the inclusion of ethnicity in the capitation formula as part of the 2028 review.
As always, thank you for everything you do across the rural health sector - your work truly makes a difference for our communities.
Ngā mihi Becks | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Tania Kemp recognised with national innovation award at NPNZ26 | | Hauora Taiwhenua warmly congratulates Tania Kemp, Clinical Director of Aotea Health on Great Barrier Island, on being awarded the Janet Maloney-Moni Award for Innovation in Healthcare at NPNZ26 in Queenstown.
This prestigious award recognises outstanding innovation and leadership in nursing practice across Aotearoa, and Tania’s contribution to rural health is a powerful example of both.
Tania exemplifies the very best of rural Nurse Practitioner practice. Working in one of New Zealand’s most remote communities, she provides comprehensive, culturally grounded care and is often the first and only clinician available to patients in times of need. Her work spans urgent and emergency care, chronic disease management, palliative care, and health promotion, reflecting the breadth and complexity of rural practice. | | | | As shared by the Nurse Practitioners New Zealand (NPNZ): Tania exemplifies the very best of rural Nurse Practitioner practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. As the clinical leader of Aotea Health on Great Barrier Island, she provides comprehensive, culturally grounded care to one of the country’s most remote communities, often serving as the first and only clinician available in times of need. Tania’s leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment have transformed healthcare access for her community. She provides everything from emergency and urgent care to palliative care, chronic disease management, and health promotion, while also mentoring staff, supporting professional development, and advocating for rural health at a national level through Hauora Taiwhenua.
Tania is also a valued member of Te Rōpū Ārahi (TRA), Hauora Taiwhenua’s Treaty partnership group, where our Treaty partners work alongside the Board as part of our commitment to enacting the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. She also contributes as a committee member within our Chapters, helping to strengthen rural nursing voice and advocacy across Aotearoa.
Her recognition at NPNZ26 reflects not only her individual excellence, but also the critical role rural Nurse Practitioners play in delivering equitable, accessible healthcare to communities throughout Aotearoa.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Tania on this well-deserved achievement and thank her for her continued leadership and commitment to rural health.
Ngā mihi nui, Tania! | | | | | | We're also pleased to share this video featuring the team behind Aotea Health, on Great Barrier Island.
Serving one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most remote communities, the Aotea Health team provides a wide range of services close to home, ensuring island residents can access high-quality healthcare when and where they need it.
Through the voices of Tania and her colleagues, this video offers an insight into the realities of rural and remote healthcare, the importance of community-centred services, and the dedication of the people working to keep their community healthy and thriving.
Tania's award is a fitting recognition of the leadership and innovation within Aotea Health, but it also reflects the strength of the wider team and the vital role they play in supporting their island community.
Watch the video below to learn more about healthcare on Great Barrier Island. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | As the dust settles on Fieldays 2026 and we have a moment to reflect, we want to say thank you.
Over four incredible days, the Hauora Taiwhenua Health & Wellbeing Hub welcomed thousands of visitors through its doors for health checks, wellbeing advice, conversations, challenges, and plenty of laughs along the way.
A huge thank you to our future rural health workforce – the Waikato University nursing students, supported by Leanne Ryan, University of Waikato Bachelor of Nursing Programme Coordinator; the University of Auckland Rural Medical Immersion Programme (RMIP) students, supported by Dr Dinesha Kumarawansa and Dr Alex Macleod; and our SoRHA medical students who joined us on Saturday. Your enthusiasm, professionalism, and willingness to engage with Fieldays visitors helped make the Hub a welcoming and valuable experience.
We are also grateful to Helen MacGregor, Dr Becks Doran, Dr Sarah Clarke, Colin Hannah, and the Rural Support Trust team for generously sharing your expertise, supporting health checks, and helping connect visitors with the advice and support they needed throughout the event.
A huge thanks to Mobile Health Group, whose incredible work brings the Health Hub to life. From planning and logistics through to delivery on the ground, their team works tirelessly behind the scenes to create a space where rural New Zealanders can access free health checks, wellbeing advice, and important health conversations. We simply couldn't do it without them.
We also extend our thanks to the Fieldays team for providing a platform to connect with rural New Zealand at one of the country's most iconic events.
Together, we had hundreds of meaningful conversations, encouraged people to take positive steps for their health, and reinforced the importance of accessible healthcare for rural communities.
Until next year, thank you for helping make Fieldays 2026 such a success. | | | | RuralFest 2026 | Call to Action | | | | At RuralFest 2026, Gore Health CEO Karl Metzler delivered an urgent message to Government requesting it take urgent action to address the rapidly escalating risks to the sustainability of community trust and iwi-owned rural hospitals across Aotearoa.
“Direct Health NZ to fund community trust and iwi owned and operated rural hospitals at levels that enable them to sustainably recruit and retain the clinical workforce required to deliver the agreed range and quality of services for their communities.”
This is a critical issue for rural health services across the country - ensuring community-owned and iwi-led providers are funded in a way that reflects the real cost of delivering safe, sustainable, and locally responsive care.
We are sharing this audio to amplify the voices of rural health leaders calling for practical, long-term solutions that support workforce retention and service stability in rural communities.
Listen to Karl Metzler’s full message from RuralFest 2026 above. | | | | | | | | | | | | Please Help Us Share Tourism New Zealand's Rural WONCA 2026 Case Study | | | | We are delighted to share that Tourism New Zealand and Business Events Wellington have published a case study and video highlighting the success and legacy of Rural WONCA 2026 in Wellington. The case study showcases the impact of bringing the global rural health community together in Aotearoa New Zealand, highlighting the outcomes, partnerships, and legacy generated through the conference. Rural WONCA was selected for its strong international reach and contribution to rural health in Aotearoa and globally. The conference continues to be regarded as one of the most successful international conferences hosted at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre since its opening, reflecting the collective efforts of everyone involved. Tourism New Zealand selects only a small number of conferences and events to feature as case studies, making this a significant recognition not only of the conference itself, but of rural health in New Zealand. | | | | We would greatly appreciate your support in helping us amplify this story by: - Sharing the case study and video on your social media channels.
- Including it in your organisation's newsletters and communications.
- Forwarding it to your teams, networks, and stakeholders.
- Engaging with Tourism New Zealand Business Events' LinkedIn post and sharing it with your connections.
When sharing on LinkedIn, please consider tagging Tourism New Zealand Business Events where possible. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of everyone involved in Rural WONCA, including our members, partners, sponsors, volunteers, speakers, delegates, and wider rural health community.
Thank you for helping make the conference such a success and for continuing to share its story. | | | | | | | | | | Working to Full Scope in Rural New Zealand | | | |
What does it look like when a Nurse Practitioner can truly work to their full scope?
For Australian Nurse Practitioner Michelle Woods, the answer was found in rural New Zealand.
Over three placements through NZMedJobs, Michelle discovered a healthcare system that supports Nurse Practitioners to provide complete episodes of care, work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, and build meaningful connections with the communities they serve.
After more than 20 years practising across the United States, Australia and New Zealand, the experience not only expanded her professional skills but renewed her passion for practice. A Career Across Continents Michelle’s Nurse Practitioner journey began at the University of Colorado in the United States, home to the world’s first Nurse Practitioner Master’s programme established in 1965 by Dr Loretta Ford and paediatrician Henry Silver.
Her career has since spanned emergency medicine, urgent care, primary healthcare, rural practice and remote communities. Today, she works in rapid-access urgent care at the Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department in Tasmania while also maintaining a clinic at a women’s shelter.
Alongside her substantive role, Michelle has spent the past four years undertaking locum placements in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia’s Northern Territory and, more recently, rural New Zealand.
“I’ve always been drawn to working with rural and remote communities,” she says.
When funding changes affected the organisation she was working with in the Northern Territory, Michelle began exploring new opportunities that aligned with her values and commitment to rural health.
That search led her to NZMedJobs.
“I wanted to continue locum work with an organisation that focused on supporting communities and clinicians. The emphasis on rural health equity and workforce sustainability really resonated with me.”
The Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement also made the move straightforward, allowing Michelle to practise in New Zealand without needing to re-credential with the New Zealand Nursing Council. A System Designed for Nurse Practitioners Before arriving in New Zealand, Michelle was already aware of the country’s long-standing commitment to integrating Nurse Practitioners into primary healthcare.
Seeing it in practice was another matter entirely.
“My strongest first impression was how fully Nurse Practitioners had been integrated into primary healthcare organisations and general practice.”
Having worked extensively in Australia, Michelle noticed significant differences in how the role is supported.
“In Australia, Nurse Practitioners can still face barriers that limit their ability to independently complete some aspects of patient care. In New Zealand, there are far fewer barriers to ordering investigations, prescribing and managing patients through a full episode of care.”
For Michelle, that ability to provide seamless care improves both patient experience and clinician satisfaction.
She was also impressed by New Zealand’s integrated electronic medical records systems and the role of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in supporting patients with injury-related care.
“Overall, the Nurse Practitioner role felt very similar to the autonomy and integration I experienced practising in the United States.” More Than a Workplace Michelle completed three placements in Methven Medical Centre, returning to the same rural practice each time. What kept drawing her back was not only the clinical work, but the culture.
“The leadership, communication and inclusiveness of the team stood out immediately.”
Within the practice, Nurse Practitioners worked alongside GPs, nurses, healthcare assistants, allied health clinicians and administrative staff as part of a genuinely collaborative team.
One of Michelle’s favourite parts of the day was the morning huddle.
“Everyone came together before clinic started. We discussed the patients coming in, what was happening in the community and anything that might affect a patient’s care.”
The conversations were practical, but they also reinforced something deeper: healthcare in rural communities is built on relationships. | | | |
Understanding the Community Behind the Patient One of the aspects of rural practice Michelle values most is the opportunity to understand the people behind the appointments.
“You might see a beekeeper worried about an injury but also concerned about what’s happening in their hives. You might see a farmer dealing with a health issue while navigating challenges on their property. Those conversations help you understand what matters to people.”
She says healthcare teams in rural communities often have a deep understanding of local history, family connections and community needs.
That knowledge helps strengthen continuity of care and creates a strong sense of connection between healthcare providers and the communities they serve.
“What stood out was how connected healthcare staff were to their patients and their whānau. There was a real understanding of the community.”
As a locum, Michelle made a point of introducing herself and learning about the people she met.
“Those conversations were some of the highlights of my day. They reminded me that healthcare is always about more than a diagnosis.” Supporting Sustainable Rural Healthcare Michelle believes Nurse Practitioners have an important role to play in strengthening rural health services across New Zealand.
“Nurse Practitioners are highly adaptable clinicians. We work across primary care, urgent care, chronic disease management, health education and many other areas.”
In rural communities, that flexibility helps improve access to care and supports workforce sustainability.
“It’s not only about attracting clinicians into rural areas. It’s about creating environments where healthcare professionals want to stay and where communities have access to consistent care.”
The ability to practise autonomously while remaining part of a collaborative team is, she says, one of the strengths of the Nurse Practitioner role. Considering the Move? For Australian Nurse Practitioners interested in locum work, Michelle’s advice is simple.
“Make the call.”
She encourages clinicians to explore how their current scope of practice could translate into a New Zealand setting and to learn more about the opportunities available.
“There is always a learning curve when working in a different healthcare system, but the support provided through NZMedJobs made that transition much easier.”
From orientation and practical guidance through to cultural awareness and understanding the New Zealand healthcare landscape, Michelle says the support helped her feel prepared and confident.
If you’re an Australian Nurse Practitioner interested in rural practice, NZMedJobs can help you explore opportunities to live, work and make a difference in communities across New Zealand. Reconnecting With Purpose Reflecting on her experience, Michelle says the biggest impact wasn’t a new clinical skill or professional milestone.
It was being reminded why she chose this career.
“Working as a Nurse Practitioner in New Zealand has completely filled my cup.”
By practising to her full scope, becoming part of a rural healthcare team and connecting with the communities she served, Michelle found exactly what she had been looking for: a healthcare environment that allowed her to make the greatest difference.
For other Nurse Practitioners considering the move across the Tasman, her message is simple: New Zealand offers the opportunity to contribute, grow and reconnect with the purpose that brought many clinicians into healthcare in the first place. Ready to explore Nurse Practitioner opportunities in rural New Zealand? Get in touch with the NZ MedJobs team today. Email: enquiries@nzmedjobs.com www.nzmedjobs.co.nz | | | | | | | | Meet our Rural Hospitals - Te Kuiti Hospital and Te Nīkau Hospital & Health Centre | | | | Rural hospitals are at the heart of healthcare delivery in communities across Aotearoa, providing essential services close to home and helping ensure rural people can access the care they need, when they need it.
In the latest videos from our Meet Our Rural Hospitals series, we visit Te Kūiti Hospital and Te Nīkau Hospital & Health Centre on the West Coast to hear from the people behind these vital services and learn more about the unique role rural hospitals play in supporting their communities.
From acute and emergency care to rehabilitation, maternity, and community-based services, rural hospitals are a cornerstone of the rural health system, delivering care that is responsive to local needs and grounded in strong community connections.
We invite you to watch both videos and gain an insight into the dedication, innovation, and teamwork that underpin rural healthcare across Aotearoa.
Access by clicking the videos above. | | | | Rural Communities Report June 2026 - Colin Hannah Reporting on Fieldays, Weather Events and the Economics of Rural New Zealand
| | There was a frost here in the North whilst I was at Fieldays, which would be the first in two years. Hopefully, this will kill a few bugs, but it is more likely to turn the pasture brown. Much of the pasture in Northland is Kikuyu, and it doesn’t really like frosts, or rather, it's allergic to such conditions. It could create some problems in the spring if it doesn’t spring back into life early enough to meet on-farm feed demands through September and October. Nutrient availability will be a big factor.
This season across New Zealand has been one of the best that farmers have experienced, certainly in Northland, this is the case. Grass growth has been exceptional, and the dairy payout has been good, and then the Fonterra settlement and a return to farmers of their capital tied up in the company was welcomed. Beef prices have been the highest ever, led by the demand for protein, and the American cattle herd has been the lowest for 70 years. Currently, it looks like the beef demand will be good for at least two years.
Seven weather events this year have placed pressure on farmers, Civil Defence, council staff, and other government agencies along the east coast of the North Island. Northlanders are familiar with these challenges, and their resilience remains a hallmark of the region. This month, two community dinners were well attended, with more than 120 people at Tangiteroria and over 90 registered for Broadwood. Located on the northern shores of the Hokianga, Broadwood is a more challenging area to farm. There was a positive energy that hadn’t been noticed in a while with the attendees at Tangiteroria. It was a great family event.
Planning for a possible Foot and Mouth incursion in New Zealand is underway, but one of the standouts was the absence of a health team from the planning and exercises. Health had been contacted, but didn’t place the same urgency on the likely impact of such an incursion simply because they didn’t understand the ramifications. Gill has made contact with MPI, and a representative from Hauora Taiwhenua will be at the top table because the human aspect will have a longer tail than the animal issues. Foot and mouth would absolutely devastate the New Zealand economy for a considerable period. Thank you, Gill.
The National Fieldays was a hive of activity, and I certainly got a buzz out of it. A record number of visitors through the hub was the standout, followed by the acknowledgment of 10 years of Health activity at the Fieldays from the Fieldays management. Mark, Andrew and the rest of the team have shown huge commitment over that time to get it to where it is today. It certainly has grown, and a huge change in attitude towards health in that time. My experience at the first event, the first mention of health and males sped up as they went past the entrance. Many came in to see us under duress, hauled in by their partners. It is great that rural males are now paying more attention to their health, which is a positive change.
An acknowledgement of our student team this year and their contribution to a great Fieldays. A big thank you to Tim, with his Oral Health hat on, for making the trek from the deep south to come to the Fieldays. For us, with a major issue around Oral Health, particularly in the Far North Area, we made progress. The plan to utilise the army services was put to bed, and a new plan is being developed. This is promising.
The El Niño change could impact New Zealand farmers in the late spring. It could turn to dry conditions, which will impact all farmers. It will impact some food availability in urban centres.
The price of fuel has certainly impacted farm costs this season. For the first time, farmers have planned better before they jump in the Ute to come to town. Harvesting costs have risen appreciably. Hopefully, the drop in oil prices below $100.00 a barrel will begin to reduce on-farm costs. Food costs have risen across the board. I am noticing it at community dinners, with increasing costs and meat companies thinking twice before contributing. We relate this cost to the expense of putting food on families' kitchen tables. Community dinner costs have risen more than 75% from this time a year ago. Much of the increase is due to the cost of meat and salad vegetables. We have recently offset some costs by switching to pork, which is a third of the price of beef. It does require more work, as the pork is cooked off-site and needs more precise preparation.
Looking at the cost and availability of fertiliser is another issue that, as long as the Strait of Hormuz blockage continues, the production loss across New Zealand will indirectly impact the availability of food and its price. Previously, farmers grew crops that suited the season; today, our population requires crops much of the year. This is done by adding nutrients to the soil, plus nitrogen, to grow almost year-round. Access to high-analysis fertilisers is essential. Often, high-analysis fertiliser is a byproduct of the oil industry. | | | | | | | | Member Spotlight: Gore Medical Centre, New Organisation Membership | |
Gore Medical Centre - located in the Gore District, in the heart of Southland Gore is a small town in the heart of Southland with a population of around 13,000. It services a large agricultural heartland in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Gore punches above its weight with a range of family friendly facilities and offers a great number of recreational opportunities.
The sports fields, parks and town gardens are kept to a high standard and well-utilised. All facilities are within an easy walk or drive and you can go home for lunch.
Gore is located in the hub of Southland. Just two hours (or less) easy drive to Central Otago, the ski fields of Queenstown, the beautiful town of Te Anau (base for the Fiordland National Park), Stewart Island, the Catlins coast and Dunedin. With wide open spaces and stunning scenery, Gore has a lot to offer individuals, couples and families.
Gore is known as the Brown Trout Capital of the World – if you have an interest in fishing, you will not be disappointed. Access to the Mataura River is easy, fish are plentiful and the water is often described as “gin clear.” The Mataura is famous for its mayfly hatches and spinner falls. There are also a number of other local rivers that provide good recreational fishing.
About the Gore Medical Centre (GMC) The practice is located one block from the Gore hospital and 1 kilometre from the town’s central business area. The practice is comprised of two GP Directors, five other part-time GPs, a dedicated team of 10 nurses, six clinical support staff, Practice Manager and Finance Officer.
The practice has nine GP consulting rooms, five nurse consult rooms, telephone triage room and is well equipped with ECG, spirometry, Butterfly US and a minor surgery suite.
We host a Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP), a health coach and regular visits from an Orthopaedic surgeon and a specialist physiotherapist. We have robust peer review programmes for both doctors and nurses, with innovation and academic endeavour strongly encouraged. With an ongoing commitment to under-graduate education, the practice hosts 6th year medical students, post graduate Doctors, GP registrars and Polytechnic nursing students.
GMC is a Cornerstone accredited practice, fully computerised using the Indici patient management system. Other support services include a daily laboratory service.
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Dr Debra Wilson and Dr Andrew Ure, GP-Directors of the Gore Medical Centre.
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It has 8,200 enrolled patients and demand for services continues to grow. It is open from 8.30am until 5.00pm each day. The afterhours service is based at the GMC and is shared with the Gore hospital-based GP.
The local hospital has an accident and emergency department. It has 20 inpatient beds (including four maternity), visiting specialists, laboratory, x-ray, physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy, social work and mental health services. There is a local St John’s ambulance service based in Gore with paramedic support. The closest base hospital is Southland, in Invercargill, 76 kilometres from the practice.
We decided to join the Rural Health Network as it specifically supports and advocates for rural health.
Key challenges Difficulties attracting permanent GPs. We are in the same position as many other practices trying to recruit new staff amongst a limited national and global pool. As a teaching practice, we can offer a lot of support to House Officers (PGY2s), GP Registrars or any new GP wanting to experience a great general practice option while enjoying Rural City Living in Gore.
Check our website – www.goremedical.co.nz for more information about our practice and consider joining us in the deep south.
| | | | | | | | Looking to reduce fleet fuel costs? Hauora Taiwhenua has partnered with Mobil to offer organisation members 14 cents off per litre (cpl) on diesel and petrol at Mobil and Waitomo service stations nationwide. How to claim your 14cpl discount: - Visit: https://mobilcard.co.nz/
- Click: 'Apply Now'
- Use Promo Code: Rural Health Network
Key features include: - Accepted at 350+ Mobil sites nationwide, including Waitomo service stations and truckstops.
- Consolidated invoicing (monthly or fortnightly).
- PIN protection, daily/monthly spend limits, product restrictions (e.g. fuel only).
- Online portal for transaction reporting, card management, GST reporting.
- Can be configured per vehicle or driver.
- Designed for fleet and fuel cost management.
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with Ingrid at ingrid.busby@htrhn.org.nz. | | | | | | | | Senior Professional Practice Fellow Opportunity – Centre for Rural Health | | The University of Otago Centre for Rural Health Senior Professional Practice Fellow vacancy is now open for applications.
This role offers an opportunity to contribute to postgraduate rural health education and support the development of New Zealand's rural health workforce. The successful candidate will join the Centre for Rural Health's team of postgraduate conveners, helping to deliver high-quality teaching and professional development for clinicians working across rural communities.
For those passionate about rural health education, workforce development, and supporting the next generation of rural health professionals, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to rural health outcomes across Aotearoa.
Applications are now open. View the position description and apply below: | | | | | | New Wound Care Research Review Launched | | Keeping up with the latest evidence can be challenging, particularly for busy rural health professionals working across multiple clinical areas.
Research Review New Zealand has released the inaugural edition of Wound Care Research Review, a new publication that brings together key research and developments from international wound care literature.
The review covers a range of topics relevant to clinicians involved in wound management, including: Negative pressure wound therapy Pressure injury prevention and management Diabetic foot ulcers Wound debridement Chronic wound care Bacterial infection management Hyperbaric oxygen therapy Burn care
Highlights from the first issue include research on negative pressure wound therapy combined with alginate dressings, nurses' knowledge of pressure ulcers, telemedicine for diabetic foot ulcer care in the home setting, and the use of cultivated epidermal allografts for paediatric burns.
This free resource may be of particular interest to rural nurses, general practitioners, nurse practitioners, allied health professionals, and others involved in wound assessment and management.
Read the inaugural issue online and subscribe for future editions through Research Review New Zealand. | | | | | | New Report Highlights Untapped Potential of Rural Hospitals | | A new report from the New Zealand Resident Doctors' Association (NZRDA) and APEX argues that New Zealand's rural and community hospitals hold significant untapped capacity that could help relieve pressure across the wider health system.
Titled A Great Little Hospital: Inside New Zealand's Rural and Community Hospital System, the report examines the challenges and opportunities facing smaller hospitals across Aotearoa. Drawing on workforce feedback and data from Health New Zealand, the report highlights a recurring theme familiar to many rural health professionals: rural hospitals have the capability to do more, but workforce shortages continue to limit what is possible.
The report found that rural emergency departments are experiencing increasing demand, with presentations rising by 4.7 percent year-on-year. At the same time, the number of patients leaving before receiving treatment increased by 20 percent, a trend the authors link to ongoing medical staffing shortages during periods of high demand.
Importantly, the report also points to opportunities. Many rural hospitals are operating below recognised bed utilisation thresholds, suggesting there is capacity within the system that could be better utilised to provide care closer to home and reduce pressure on larger metropolitan hospitals.
The report also highlights growing demand for diagnostic services, including laboratory and medical imaging services, and calls for a move towards seven-day service models to improve access, maximise infrastructure investment, and reduce workforce pressure.
Among its recommendations, the report calls for greater investment in rural medical workforce development, including fully funded rural training pathways, workforce support initiatives, and remuneration that reflects the realities of rural practice.
For Hauora Taiwhenua members, the findings reinforce a message that has long been advocated across our network: rural hospitals are a vital part of New Zealand's health system and, with the right workforce investment and support, can play an even greater role in delivering timely, high-quality care closer to home.
The report also highlights the importance of strengthening the wider rural health workforce, including resident doctors, senior medical officers, nurses, allied health professionals, laboratory scientists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and medical imaging professionals who collectively underpin the sustainability of rural health services.
Read the full report to explore the findings and recommendations in more detail. | | | | | | Expressions of interest open for Mental Health and Addiction National Clinical Network. | |
Expressions of interest are now open for new members to join the Mental Health and Addiction National Clinical Network. The current recruitment is focused on two priority areas: - a primary care clinician, ideally with rural experience or strong rural connections
- a Kaupapa Māori, community-based clinician working in or alongside Māori NGO providers
These roles will help strengthen clinical leadership and ensure the Network reflects the needs of communities with the highest need. To apply, complete the Expression of Interest online form below:
| | | | | | Help shape national guidance: participate in an AI Scribes Survey led by the University of Auckland | | Who? Clinicians and healthcare managers from primary and community care and Te Whatu Ora services - irrespective of whether you use AI scribes or not
Why? Survey results (alongside interviews, literature, and hui) will be used to develop guidance for maximising the benefits and minimising the risks of AI scribes in clinical care in Aotearoa
How? Click below to find out more or participate in the short online.
This research is led by Associate Professor Vanessa Selak (University of Auckland) and funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand. It has been approved by the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee (AH30390). | | | | | | Survey on the Wellbeing of Women in Farming | | | | Project summary This research project aims to understand more the wellbeing of women in farming. We want to know more about the different ways in which a farming way of life might provide both benefits and challenges for you in terms of your mental health; your experiences of accessing appropriate healthcare; and how support might be more effectively tailored to improve health and happiness across the sector. This survey is intended to provide us with valuable information about wellbeing among women in farming, and how these might or might not vary across aspects such as age, occupational role, farm size, farm type and geographical location.
| | | | | | Expression of Interest for Rural Procedural Sedation Simulation Course | | | |
The University of Otago’s Centre for Rural Health is developing a new simulation-based course for rural practitioners of procedural sedation - SPARC (Simulated Procedural sedation and Analgesia in the Rural Context). This course is unique in that it offers simulation-based training in procedural sedation specifically for the rural context. The course will include independent online learning followed by an intensive simulation workshop spread over two half-days to allow travel to and from the course on the days it runs. This year the workshop will be at the Rural Health Academic Centre Ashburton with three choices of dates: 24–25 August 2026 12–13 October 2026 3–4 December 2026 It will be at a level appropriate for those with existing experience of procedural sedation or for those newly developing these skills. We are currently seeking Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from people interesting in attending. If you are interested, please use the link below to submit your EOI.
More information can be found below:
| | | | High Alert: Supporting Early Detection of Drug Harm | |
High Alert, New Zealand’s national drug early warning system, aims to help reduce harm from drugs across Aotearoa New Zealand. Since launching publicly in 2020, it has issued 44 notifications about potentially dangerous substances and provided practical harm reduction advice to help people stay safer.
For many of you working on the frontlines in health, emergency response, public services, and community settings, High Alert can be an important resource.
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By providing judgment free, trustworthy advice on drugs, it supports safer work, better-informed responses, and stronger community protection.
For example, recent notifications have included situations where highly potent synthetic opioids were sold as something else—dramatically increasing the risk of overdose. Being aware of these risks can make a critical difference in how situations are handled.
Staying informed can save lives. High Alert helps make that possible. You can engage with High Alert by: - Visiting the website for notifications and harm reduction advice
- Subscribing to receive early warnings straight to your inbox
- Sharing information with colleagues, clients, or communities
- Reporting harm incidents or unusual effects from drugs to help warn others
| | | | | | | | | | Pae Ora – Healthy Futures: lessons learned from the first New Zealand Rural Health Strategy Leaning on Fence Posts
| Delivering effective health care outside major cities is about far more than geography alone. This open‑access report reflects on the impact NZ's first Rural Health Strategy has had to date on our rural and remote health systems and draws out lessons for policy, commissioning, and service improvement. | | | | | | | | If you have feedback for us or want to reach out to us regarding something, feel free to contact us via the details provided below.
Write an email to communications@htrhn.org.nz to get connected with our team.
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