| | | | | | | | | | | | HAUORA TAIWHENUA NEWSLETTER | | | | | | Kia ora tātou
In this October edition of the newsletter, I wanted to share that it is now six months until our National Rural Health Conference in April 2026. Our conferences have always been a great place to gather, learn, connect, and collaborate. This one, though, will be extra special, as we will be sharing it with Rural WONCA, which is a first for us in Aotearoa. WONCA, the World Organisation of Family Doctors as its better known, was established in 1972 with the aim of improving the quality of life for peoples of the world through promoting its values, including respect for universal human rights, gender equity and fostering high standards of care in general practice, in particular continuity of care for the individual and family in the context of the community and society. How relevant does this sound for us in rural New Zealand? | | | | Extremely relevant, I would suggest, especially with our key theme being around Mātauranga Māori, incorporating Indigenous knowledge into health care for rural Māori to achieve health equity. Over recent years, WONCA has widened to include nursing as well, and we are hoping to showcase the New Zealand experience of rural health multidisciplinary teams. “Rural WONCA” is the rural working party of WONCA, and as such, it represents rural communities from all around the world. There is a World Rural Council that will be holding a council meeting and an assembly prior to our conference.
One key relationship of WONCA is with the WHO, and they will be sending a representative over for the assembly and as a keynote speaker. The pressures that the WHO are currently under with the global political situation became very apparent during the most recent WONCA conference, which I attended in Lisbon. WHO has seen improvements in health service coverage stagnate since 2015. In 2021, 4.5 billion people (more than half the world's population) were not covered by essential health services. Even where there is national progress on health service coverage, the aggregated data masks inequalities. WHO is particularly concerned about the global health workforce shortage, with a projected shortage of 11.1 million by 2030. We were reminded of the four “Ts” that contribute to high-performing primary healthcare: teams, tools, technology, and tailoring of care. WHO also stresses the importance of the four “Ds”: data, dialogue, decisions (correctly informed and evidence-based), and dollars. These underpin the ability to deliver quality, equitable healthcare. Rural data is still poor, or not reported upon, or held where it cannot be accessed. This was evidenced by the most recent Ministry of Health Annual Report for the year ended 30th June 2025, where nothing was reported by rurality, there was no reference to the progress of the rural health strategy, and the only mention of rural was Ministers Doocey’s rural health roadshow and the rural focus of the Medical School at Waikato. This is simply unacceptable.
Next year, by hosting Rural WONCA, we will have the opportunity to hear from others all around the globe about our common challenges and the different solutions from which we can learn. We can also show our own unique Kiwi way of doing things, which has stretched the limited dollar with which we have been provided in productive and innovative ways, with some amazing results. Regarding the global challenges for healthcare for Indigenous peoples, this is something that is of particular concern to the WHO and to Rural WONCA. Almost three out of four Indigenous people live rurally, although they only account for 5% of the world population. They play a huge role in the sustainability of the planet, managing an estimated 80% of biodiversity and 40% of protected areas. Westernised approaches to healthcare have not always resulted in positive health outcomes for them. Māori, in many ways, have led the way in how they use their worldview to determine how they want to access services, and which services are appropriate for them. Although we still have a long way to go before Mātauranga Māori is incorporated into “mainstream,” there are many positive stories and examples that can be a source of encouragement for both us and the global rural Indigenous whānau.
So next year it is a time to celebrate our achievements, to reignite our passion for rural health, to collaborate and share learnings with our international colleagues. It is also time to draw a very clear light upon the lack of progress of the rural health strategy, what needs to be done to ameliorate this, and to ensure that it remains a guiding document which is used and reported to no matter which government is in power. Central to this is the necessity to report all health outcomes, all decisions around health service and infrastructure funding, with rural data. Only by showing the figures clearly will we ever begin to address the huge inequity in the funding of rural healthcare, which impacts rural communities across the rohi and leads to the inequity of rural health outcomes , particularly for Māori, that we are well aware of and which we will continue to highlight in the hope of seeing progress towards a more equitable Aotearoa.
Ngā mihi mahana ki a koe Fiona
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Chapter Annual General Meetings Commence This Week | | Hauora Taiwhenua’s Chapter Annual General Meetings (AGMs) began last week, providing members with an important opportunity to receive updates, reflect on the year’s progress, and contribute to planning for the year ahead.
Schedule:
Rural Midwifery and Maternity – 9:00am, 30 October
Rural Communities – 8:00am, 31 October
Rural Scientific Technical and Allied Health – 12:00pm, 5 November
Whānau Whānui – 6:00pm, 6 November
Rural Nurses NZ – 7:30pm, 11 November
Students of Rural Health Aotearoa – 8:00pm, 16 November
Rural Health Research & Education – 6:00pm, 19 November
Rural General Practice – 7:00pm, 25 November
Rural Hospitals – 12:00pm, 27 November
For further information or to request meeting links, please contact ashley.darbyshire@htrhn.org.nz
| | | | | | Dr Fiona Bolden's Post World WONCA 2025 Thoughts | | I have recently returned from WONCA Lisbon, buoyed by the energy of our sector and energised to deliver the 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our Call for Abstracts has now closed. Thank you to all who have submitted. The conference is a unique opportunity to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and forge connections that will strengthen our global rural community. The programme which will be published in December is looking excellent. You will be able to curate your conference experience selecting from over 200 presentations (academic, technical, research, and practical). Attendees will be able to contribute to discussion groups, panel sessions, and workshop as well as visit medical sites across Wellington city.
Registration is open and you can book your accommodation, take advantage of travel discounts, request your letter of attendance, book a post-tour trip around New Zealand and learn more about the culture of New Zealand on this website. There are links to tourism, visa and travel information for your convenience. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | HTRHN Rural Research Scholarship Recipients 2025 | |
We are delighted to announce this year’s Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Research Scholarship recipients — Mandy Reilly and Annise Boothroyd-Drury.
The Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network Rural Research Scholarships support students enrolled in health-related disciplines who are passionate about improving rural health outcomes. Each scholarship, valued at $7,500, funds a 12-week research or elective placement in a rural New Zealand community, providing financial support for living and research costs, as well as academic supervision through the student’s tertiary institution.
The scholarships aim to build research capability, inspire future rural health leaders, and generate practical insights that benefit rural communities. Each of this year's recipients brings a unique perspective and deep commitment to improving the resilience and equity of rural health in Aotearoa. | | Mandy Reilly — Murihiku, Southland | |
Community CPR Preparedness and Cardiac Response in Rural Aotearoa
| | Mandy Reilly is a Registered Paramedic and Registered Nurse based in rural Murihiku, Southland. With experience spanning frontline ambulance work, remote triage, and rural health governance, Mandy is completing a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) at AUT, focusing on CPR preparedness and community cardiac response in rural Aotearoa.
Her honours project explores how rural Māori and non-Māori communities experience CPR education, and how this influences confidence and preparedness to respond to cardiac arrest. By combining locally delivered, culturally safe CPR awareness sessions with community interviews and whānau hui, Mandy’s work identifies practical enablers, barriers, and community-led solutions. Grounded in kaupapa Māori and a | | | | strengths-based approach, her goal is to produce actionable recommendations that increase bystander CPR and AED use in rural settings.
Alongside her research, Mandy is establishing the Rural Paramedic Network within Hato Hone St John to strengthen rural practice, advocacy, and peer support across Aotearoa. | | Annise Boothroyd-Drury — Kinloch, Taupo | |
Preparedness of the West Coast for the Alpine Fault Rupture: A Qualitative Exploration of General Practice Perspectives
| | Annise Boothroyd-Drury is a third-year medical student at the University of Otago and a medic with the NZ Army Reserves (Southern Health Support Squadron). Passionate about rural medicine, emergency management, and disaster response, her project investigates how general practice teams on the West Coast are preparing for the potential rupture of the Alpine Fault — an event with a 75% chance of occurring within the next 60 years.
Her qualitative study explores clinicians’ perspectives on how prepared their practices are for such a large-scale event and aims to inform both general practice and civil defence planning. The insights gained may also guide future preparedness work for other natural disasters across Aotearoa. | | | | Beyond her studies, Annise leads the Matagouri Rural Health Club and is an avid endurance trail runner — recently completing all the Great Walks (a total of 667.8 km) and raising $3,000 for the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust. | | | | | | Global Perspectives, Local Impact: Chanel Brocherie at HLTH 2025 | | | |
Last week, Chanel Brocherie represented Hauora Taiwhenua and Spark Health at HLTH 2025 in Las Vegas — one of the world’s leading gatherings for healthcare innovation and technology.
From exploring cutting-edge applications of AI in healthcare to connecting with global entrepreneurs driving patient-centred change, Chanel described the experience as “inspiring, energising, and full of ideas to bring home.”
A key theme throughout the conference was the integration of AI in healthcare — not as a futuristic concept, but as the new baseline for global innovation. One quote that particularly resonated was: “AI will raise the floor, but humans will raise the roof.”
Following HLTH, Chanel and the Spark Health delegation travelled to Hewlett Packard Enterprise in Houston, where they took part in a global discussion on digitising New Zealand’s health system — a conversation focused on improving access, efficiency, and equity for communities across the motu.
Reflecting on the experience, Chanel said she returned to New Zealand with a completely new perspective on how to make a meaningful impact in healthcare, and a deep sense of motivation to bring these ideas home.
“Every single day, I felt like the least qualified person in the room, which only reminded me that I was exactly where I was meant to be.”
Hauora Taiwhenua is proud to partner with Spark Health in championing digital transformation and equitable healthcare outcomes for rural communities — ensuring that innovation serves everyone, no matter where they live. | | | | | | | | | | Stepping Outside the Box: Amy Devlin’s Nurse Practitioner Journey | |
When Raglan-based Nurse Practitioner Amy Devlin began searching for a placement during her Nurse Practitioner internship, she knew she wanted to experience something truly rural — a setting that would challenge her and deepen her understanding of what it means to deliver care where resources are limited, and community connections run deep.
“I was struggling to find a placement,” Amy explains. “There are no Nurse Practitioners in Raglan, and it was looking like I might need to do my placement in a hospital ward. I really wanted a rural experience.”
That opportunity came through a conversation sparked at the 2024 National Rural Health Conference, where Raglan Medical’s Business Manager, Michelle Meenagh, reconnected with Tania Kemp, a Nurse Practitioner and practice owner of Aotea Health on Great Barrier Island. “Tania mentioned they’d had a Nurse Practitioner intern before,” says Amy, “and Michelle connected us. Tania was so welcoming — she invited me over for a two-week placement in July 2024, and that’s how it all began.” | | | |
Amy describes her time on the island as “next-level rural.” Staying with Tania and her husband Darcy, she immersed herself fully in the experience — shadowing Tania in clinic, joining home visits, and being part of the 24-hour on-call team responding to emergencies across the island.
“It’s a completely different way of working,” she says. “If someone’s acutely unwell, whether or not they can be flown to hospital is dependent on the weather. We had a case where we needed to manage someone overnight in the clinic because they couldn’t leave the island. The team there are amazing — they manage with what they have and keep their patients safe. It’s inspiring.”
The experience showed Amy just how creative and resilient rural health professionals need to be. “They think outside the box in everything they do,” she says. “It’s how they live. Everyone is really well trained, from the nurses to the ambulance staff — it’s seamless teamwork.”
Returning to Raglan, Amy found herself reflecting on how that adaptability could apply to her own practice. “It reminded me that we can do a really good job as Nurse Practitioners — independent, capable, and focused on patient outcomes. Seeing that in action gave me a lot of confidence.”
Amy has now been practising as Raglan’s first Nurse Practitioner for nearly a year — a transition she describes as both rewarding and full of learning. “It’s quite a jump from Registered Nurse to Nurse Practitioner,” she says. “I’ve been really lucky to have the support of our General Practitioners and management team. Everyone’s embraced the role and encouraged me to work to the top of my scope.”
Still, there were challenges in introducing the role to the community. “A lot of people knew me as a registered nurse, so part of the journey was explaining what a Nurse Practitioner is and how it differs from a GP. It’s been a learning process for everyone, but the team has been really supportive.”
One of the biggest takeaways from her Great Barrier experience has been connection — both professional and personal. “Tania and I still keep in touch,” Amy says. “She introduced me to other Nurse Practitioners at 2025’s National Rural Health Conference in Christchurch, and through that I’ve found a peer support network. It’s invaluable, especially when you don’t have other Nurse Practitioners around you day-to-day.”
Michelle agrees that the placement has had lasting benefits. “Supporting placements like Amy’s helps strengthen the rural health workforce,” she says. “It builds confidence, connection, and capability — not just for the practitioner, but for the communities they serve.”
For Amy, the experience on Great Barrier Island was transformative — one she hopes other aspiring Nurse Practitioners will seek out. “My advice would be to go for it,” she says. “Step out of your comfort zone and immerse yourself somewhere completely different. You’ll never again have that chance to spend two weeks just learning, observing, and growing. Build those relationships with other Nurse Practitioners — it’s such a supportive community. It’s not sustainable to do this job alone.”
From Raglan to Great Barrier, Amy Devlin’s journey reflects the spirit of rural health in Aotearoa — resourceful, connected, and deeply grounded in community care. | | | | | | | | | | | |
Kia ora koutou,
It’s been a busy and rewarding few weeks connecting across our chapters and sector partners. I’ve been continuing to link in closely with the Chairs and Co-Chairs of our various chapters, the Council, and, more recently, I’ve been reaching out to several PHO CEOs to strengthen those important relationships between primary care and rural advocacy. One of the areas I’ve been contributing to is the Primary Care Dementia | Mate Wareware Working Group. This group is developing practical recommendations to help primary care services across Aotearoa meaningfully engage in the assessment and management of people and whānau living with dementia. The work recognises the importance of supporting mainstream primary care, while also addressing the unique needs of rural communities, those with young-onset dementia, tangata whenua, and Pacific peoples. I’m also part of the RACS Aotearoa New Zealand Regional and Rural Health Equity Strategy Working Group, focused on refreshing the national health equity strategy for regional surgery. Alongside this, I’m contributing to the National Rural Health Clinical Network, which recently held an all-day hui bringing together leaders from across the motu to share updates and align priorities for rural health improvement.
Another exciting area has been my involvement with the Conference Scientific Committee, where I’m helping to arrange the programme for the upcoming WONCA World Rural Health Conference 2026 here in Aotearoa. It’s inspiring to see how much passion and expertise are being brought to what will be a truly world-class event.
Earlier this month, I also had the opportunity to present to the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (NZPS), introducing Hauora Taiwhenua, promoting membership, and listening to rural pharmacists share their challenges. Their experiences echoed much of what we hear across the sector - dedicated professionals doing incredible work under significant pressure. All of these conversations reinforce the importance of staying connected, advocating strongly, and supporting one another in our shared mission to improve health outcomes for rural communities. If anyone would like to hear more or get involved in these initiatives, please feel free to reach out. Ngā mihi nui,
Becks Doran
Clinical Director Hauora Taiwhenua
| | | | | | Exclusive Fuel Savings for Hauora Taiwhenua Organisation Members | | | | At Hauora Taiwhenua, we understand that working in rural and remote communities often means covering long distances — and that fuel costs can add up quickly. To help ease the cost of running your business vehicles, we’re pleased to offer a new member benefit in collaboration with Mobil.
Organisation members can now access Mobil Business Solutions and receive an exclusive 14 cents per litre discount on petrol and diesel. This saving is available at over 380 Mobil branded service stations and selected Allied, Waitomo and NPD service station sites nationwide, supporting your mahi wherever you are across Aotearoa.
Even better — for the first three months, you’ll enjoy an enhanced discount of 16 cents per litre, giving your organisation a valuable head start on fuel savings. | | How It Works: - Organisation members can complete the online application at Mobilcard for business to set up their account or simply scan the QR code and the link will direct you to Mobil’s online application form.
- Mobil will guide you through the setup, including:
- Issuing fuel cards for use at the pump
- Assigning secure PIN numbers for each card
- Providing online access to track usage and generate reports
- No card or transaction fees.
- No need to keep till receipts for tax management, all under one account
| | | | This member benefit is a practical way to reduce operating costs and manage your fleet more efficiently — whether you're heading to the next town or the next region. | | | | | | | | | | | | Minister Doocey Wraps Up Rural Health Roadshow in Whakatāne | | Whakatāne marked the thirteenth and final stop on Minister Matt Doocey’s Rural Health Roadshow, co-hosted by Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network. The nationwide series has brought together rural communities, clinicians, and advocates to share local experiences and help shape the Government’s approach to rural health and wellbeing. Minister Doocey attended a public meeting in Whakatāne to hear directly from the community and frontline health professionals. “These roadshows have given me the invaluable chance to hear directly from rural communities and those working in rural health about what’s working well and where barriers remain,” Minister Doocey said. “I want to thank everyone who took time out of their busy days to come along, hear what this Government’s plan is to improve health and mental health outcomes, and share their own stories. “The bottom line is that people in our rural communities deserve timely, quality health and mental health support, no matter where they live. That’s exactly what this Government is committed to delivering.” Over the past several months, Hauora Taiwhenua has joined Minister Doocey and local leaders across 13 towns, from Gore to Kaitaia, ensuring that rural voices are heard and their stories are reflected in national decision-making. The Roadshow has already begun to translate those conversations into meaningful outcomes. One such example came from the Wānaka event, where community concerns around the cost of blood tests led to a new Government initiative delivering free blood testing for nearly 24,000 people in Te Anau and Wānaka. “When I visited Wānaka as part of the Rural Health Roadshow, locals consistently raised concerns about having to pay for blood tests,” Minister Doocey said. “As I told the community at the time, no one should have to travel long distances or pay extra just because they live rurally. That’s why we made this a priority.” The initiative means residents no longer need to travel over an hour or pay a co-payment to access essential tests, addressing a long-standing inequity between rural and urban healthcare access. As the final Roadshow wraps up, Hauora Taiwhenua acknowledges the commitment of Minister Doocey, Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson, local hosts, and every community that took part. The conversations and insights gathered across Aotearoa will continue to inform ongoing advocacy and policy action - ensuring that rural voices remain at the heart of rural health solutions. | | | | | | | | | | Rural General Practice Chapter Meet our Committee: Michelle Meenagh | |
Michelle Meenagh is the Business Manager at Raglan Medical. Originally from Belfast in the North of Ireland, she worked as a Business Development Manager in the FMCG industry before moving to New Zealand in 2006. Michelle joined the Raglan Medical team in 2013 and enjoys the challenges and variety that practice management provides. She also serves as the co-ordinator for PMAANZ Waikato and volunteers as the secretary for Feed the Kids Incorporated Society.
Michelle’s passion lies in people and the power of strong, cohesive teams. She believes that well-developed primary care teams are fundamental to delivering equitable, accessible, and sustainable healthcare in Aotearoa. Her focus is on fostering collaboration, professional growth, and innovation within general practice. With a deep understanding of both the business and human sides of healthcare, Michelle is committed to building practice environments where leadership, education, and teamwork drive continuous improvement and better outcomes for patients and communities alike. | | | | | | Whanaungatanga in Action: Building Connection Across Taupō and Tūrangi By Dr. Natalie Clarke, Pinnacle GP Lead – Lakes Region
| | It was heartening to see such a great turnout from our local Taupō and Tūrangi clinicians at our recent informal breakfast gathering — a morning full of waffles, crepes, and most importantly, connection.
The theme for this event was whanaungatanga — strengthening relationships and fostering a sense of belonging within our local health community. From the laughter shared over coffee to the rich kōrero about our experiences in primary care, the energy in the room truly reflected that spirit. I was especially pleased to see the overwhelmingly positive feedback from those who attended. According to our post-event survey, most respondents would like these sessions to include brief clinical updates and short CME gems.
Clinicians also valued having a relaxed, fun, and social setting — a space to connect, recharge, and simply enjoy time together outside of the busy clinic day. More than half of us expressed interest in having future sessions include support for managing stress and burnout — a clear reflection of how much we all value wellbeing in our professional lives.
This feedback beautifully captures the purpose behind our gatherings: creating a community that celebrates collaboration, laughter, and mutual support. As we look ahead, we’ll continue to evolve these sessions based on what matters most to local GPs and NPs— a balance of learning, connection, and wellbeing.
| | | | | | | | Taking Rural Health Careers on the Road — Rural School Visits | |
Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network and Students of Rural Health Aotearoa (SoRHA) hit the road once again, bringing the Rural Health Careers Promotion Programme to colleges across the country. The kaupapa? To spark interest in health careers among rural rangatahi. With energy, enthusiasm, and a boot full of tendon hammers, tertiary health student volunteers visited years 9–13 students, running interactive workshops packed with practical skills, personal stories, and real-world advice.
It’s all about helping rural students see themselves in a wide range of health careers — whether that’s in pharmacy, oral health, paramedicine, psychology, or any of the many other vital roles that keep our communities thriving. These visits show that a future in health is not only possible, but meaningful — and that rural students have a place in it.
In early September, two tours rolled through Canterbury and Otago/Southland, clocking up 600km over five days. The following week, two more tours hit the road in the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne regions, racking up nearly 2,000km between them. Across the four tours, dedicated tertiary student volunteers from a wide range of disciplines — including medicine, pharmacy, p... | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Member Spotlight: Lisa deWolfe New Individual Membership | Tell us about yourself and why you decided to become a Member of the Network. Tēnā koutou kātoa. Ko Lisa Fitzgerald deWolfe, Physician Associate. I completed my training in Boston, MA, before moving to rural Maine, where I pursued my career, volunteered, and raised four children. As a Physician Associate in central Maine, I practised across several medical disciplines, serving towns with populations of approximately 7,000. My foundational experience in emergency medicine, general practice, and urgent care shaped my clinical expertise and solidified my commitment to rural health. Early in my career, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work at a family medicine residency program, which enhanced my understanding of providing care to patients and their whānau. Subsequently, I dedicated part-time service to underserved populations through free clinics both locally and internationally. The relationships forged with patients and their whānau were instrumental in delivering effective healthcare. Practicing in a small town enabled meaningful engagement with the community. I was fortunate to hold leadership roles within our local health network to steer positive change to support our medical teams in improving care for patients. I worked for many years in a rural clinic with my husband, who was also my colleague, until we both retired early due t... | | | | | | | | | | Member Spotlight: Mary Ross New Individual Membership | Tell us about yourself and why you decided to become a Member of the Network. My career, which has encompassed both secondary and primary health care based and living in a rural environment, has been underpinned by being a farmer's wife, cropping, mother, and farming partner on a mixed cropping, sheep and cattle farm which in 2010 converted to dairying and dairy support. My public sector career has included being a Director of Nursing for the Ashburton & Rural Health Services, which was at the time a division of the former Canterbury District Health Board. This role included professional responsibility for the not only Ashburton Hospital & local community nursing services, but also six small rural hospitals within Canterbury. I am also Chair of the Steering Committee of the Rural Health Academic Centre, Ashburton (RHACA) which is a collaboration between Otago University , the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation and the Advance Ashburton Community Foundation. I have a Masters in Health Science (Otago), endorsed in nursing.
I am currently a director, and formerly Chair, of Eastfield Health, Ashburton. In this role I have hands-on responsibility for recruitment of General Practitioners. Eastfield Health has about 6,500 enrolled patients and is based in the peri-rural environment of Ashburton. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine Vacancies | |
Please find the below message from Prof David J McCormack, Interim Dean of Medicine, Division of Health, University of Waikato.
Kia ora koutou,
The New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine (NZGSM) is taking shape — rural voices need to be part of its foundation.
Our vision is clear: to educate and inspire doctors who are grounded in community, guided by research, and committed to clinical excellence in every corner of Aotearoa. Achieving that vision means ensuring our leadership reflects the motu. We’ve had strong interest from clinicians across Aotearoa and beyond. Rural clinicians carry deep vital knowledge of what it means to deliver care where resources are limited but relationships are strong. That insight must be at the heart of how we train the next generation of doctors.
At NZGSM, leadership roles are designed with genuine flexibility — they can be undertaken face-to-face, online, or hybrid, enabling clinicians to contribute meaningfully while maintaining their commitments to local care. Vacancies include: - Program Director - Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Head of Skills and Simulation
- Lead - Faculty Educational Development
- Year 1 - Programme Lead
- Year 2 - Programme Lead
- Year 3 - Programme Lead
- Year 4 - Programme Lead
- Educational Clinical Fellow
- Honorary Clinical Academic (involvement in curriculum development, research and teaching)
View the full list of vacancies here
This is a chance to help shape a school that stands for partnership, equity, and excellence — a school that recognises the mana of our communities and the expertise that already exists within them.
If you’ve ever thought “rural health needs to be part of the conversation,” this is your opportunity to be in the room where the conversation happens.
Ngā mihi nui,
Professor David J McCormack Interim Dean of Medicine
Division of Health Ph: +642102477867 waikato.ac.nz
| | | | | | | | Rural Realities: Dr Orna McGinn on the NZWIM Workforce Survey Connection Keeps People Healthy | |
While national discussions about healthcare often focus on workforce shortages and burnout, the December 2024 New Zealand Women in Medicine (NZWIM) Workforce Survey provides a more nuanced picture — balancing challenges with purpose, and pressures with hope. The survey, the third of its kind produced by NZWIM, captured the experiences of women and gender-diverse doctors across Aotearoa.
Hauora Taiwhenua spoke with Dr Orna McGinn, Chair of NZWIM and a rural GP at Ostend Medical Centre on Waiheke Island, about what the findings reveal — particularly through a rural lens.
The Pulse of the Workforce Dr McGinn says NZWIM surveys were created to strengthen connection and advocacy for women doctors across the health system. | | | |
“We began as a Facebook group to reduce isolation, but we soon realised genuine connection comes through shared purpose,” she explains. “So we built NZWIM as a charitable trust — a place that bridges primary and secondary care and gives women doctors a collective voice.”
The latest survey, developed with advice from Te Whatu Ora and benchmarked against UK data, provides a clearer picture of what keeps doctors in medicine — and what drives them away.
“There’s a lot of talk about dissatisfaction,” Dr McGinn says, “but we also wanted to know what makes people stay. Most respondents enjoy their work because it’s intellectually fulfilling, meaningful, and connects them to patients and communities. That’s especially true in rural practice whe... | | | | | | | | | | Hanmer Springs: A Unique Integrated Community Model of Healthcare Paul Walmsley, Practice Manager – Hanmer Springs Health Centre | | BackgroundHanmer Springs is a small rural alpine village situated within the Hurunui District. This district is notable for being the fourth largest in New Zealand by area, comprising 8,640 square kilometres of predominantly rural land in North Canterbury. The setting provides Hanmer Springs with a distinctive character, shaped by its alpine environment and rural context. The village’s location within such a vast district underscore both its remoteness and its integral role within the wider region.
Hanmer Springs is home to a close-knit community of around 1,000 permanent residents, and each year it enjoys the vibrant energy brought by a substantial seasonal workforce and an impressive 500,000 to 600,000 visitors. | | | | Located in the heart of Hanmer Springs, the charity trust-owned Health Centre serves as both a vital resource for residents and a crucial lifeline for visitors. This is especially true for urgent and emergency care, as Christchurch’s urgent and emergency department(s) are 135 kilometres away, which can mean up to a two-hour drive with no public transport. As a result, local resilience is not optional; it is essential. | | | | | | | | Nurse Practitioner Training Support Scheme (NPTSS) | | Please find the below message from Nadine Gray, National Chief Nursing Officer, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for registered nurses (RNs) to take part in a new national training support scheme aimed at growing the nurse practitioner (NP) workforce and strengthening primary care across Aotearoa. The Nurse Practitioner Training Support Scheme (NPTSS) provides tailored support for RNs completing the final practicum year of their Master of Nursing qualification and transitioning into their new scope of practice as NPs.
Each year, the scheme will support up to 180 RNs, with 120 places prioritised for those working in primary and community healthcare, and 60 for RNs in specialist areas such as mental health and emergency departments. The scheme is being delivered by a consortium of six primary health organisations: Tū Ora Compass Health, ProCare, Pinnacle, Pegasus, WellSouth and Mahitahi Hauora. This ensures the support is locally led and reflects the needs of the communities where nurse practitioners are most needed.
Support available through the scheme includes: Help with tertiary education costs, mentoring and preceptorship, travel and study time support, clinical supervision, employer engagement and backfill funding.
We are contacting RNs who have already submitted an expression of interest directly to let them know they can now apply for the scheme.
Find more information including how to apply below here. Applications close on Wednesday 5th November 2025. This initiative is part of a wider set of work supporting the growth of the nursing workforce, including: | | | | | | | | | | Primary care postgraduate fees scholarship through the University of Auckland | | The Dr Bruce Goodfellow Postgraduate Primary Care Award, established in 2023 by the Goodfellow Foundation (which supports the Goodfellow Unit), supports New Zealand primary care clinicians and trainees pursuing postgraduate study at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Eligible applicants must be citizens or permanent residents, enrolled in relevant courses, and working or planning to work in primary or palliative care. Selection is based on academic background, experience, and career goals. The award covers compulsory fees and cannot be held with other University-funded tuition scholarships (up to $2700 per year). Applicants must enrol, pay the fee, and apply to the University for reimbursement. Recipients must submit a report and comply with regulations.
Applications close 14 November annually via the Scholarships Office. Applications should cover how you hope to use this study in your clinical work and how it will change what you do. The application should be no more than 300 words. | | | | | | | | Seeking Participants: Telenursing Experiences in Rural New Zealand | | Doctoral researcher and registered nurse, Vinu Kochupurackal Sasi, from the University of Canterbury, is inviting expressions of interest for a research study exploring how telenursing services are experienced by both nurses and patients in rural communities across Aotearoa.
The study, titled “Exploring Telenurses’ and Patients’ Experiences and Perspectives of Telenursing Services in Rural New Zealand: An Exploratory Case Study,” aims to build a deeper understanding of how virtual and telephone-based care supports rural health delivery — and where improvements can be made.
Vinu is seeking participants from two groups: Participants will be invited to take part in a one-on-one, semi-structured interview (in person, online, or by phone) lasting approximately 60–120 minutes. With consent, interviews will be audio recorded, and participants will receive a small koha in appreciation of their time.
Participation is voluntary, and all responses will remain confidential.
If you are interested in learning more or taking part, please contact Vinu Kochupurackal Sasi directly for further details, including the Participant Information Sheet and Consent Form:
Vinu Kochupurackal Sasi (He/Him) Ph: 0225810566 Email: vinu.kochupurackalsasi@pg.canterbury.ac.nz
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