THINK Hauora

15/01/2026

Heading away for a summer break - whether in our region or further afield? 🌞🏞️

Getting healthcare after hours in rural areas isn’t always easy – that’s where Ka Ora Telecare can help.

Ka Ora is a phone and video health service designed especially for rural communities across Aotearoa. You don’t need to be enrolled with a General Practice to use it.

🕐 Available:

Weekdays: 5pm – 8.30am

24/7 on weekends & Public Holidays:

👩‍⚕️ Speak with a nurse, kaiāwhina, doctor, or nurse practitioner.

✅ Free for tamariki under 14.

📱 Call 0800 2 KA ORA (0800 252 672) or book online: kaora.co.nz

12/01/2026

✈️ Heading away this summer? Check your measles immunisation!

Measles is still circulating across Aotearoa. If you’ve got summer travel plans, make sure you’re protected - check your immunisation status and book your MMR vaccine before you go.

How to book:

✅ Phone your local doctor, nurse, or healthcare/hauora provider
✅ Children over 3 years: Many pharmacies offer MMR vaccines. Find one near you: https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/immunisation
✅ Online: https://bookmyvaccine.health.nz
✅ Phone: 0800 28 29 26
(Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat–Sun 8.30am–2pm)

Ahead of the summer holidays, it’s a great time to check your measles immunisation status and book your MMR vaccine.
The MMR vaccine is free for:
- Everyone aged under 18 (regardless of immigration status)
- Adults over 18 eligible for funded healthcare
- Some non-eligible adults during outbreaks in affected regions
How to book
For ages 13 and over, vaccinations can be booked online or over the phone.
- Book a vaccine online: bookmyvaccine.health.nz
- Book over the phone: 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) and 8.30am to 2pm, Saturday and Sunday).
For those aged 13 and under, contact your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider to book an appointment.
Children over 3 years old can get an MMR vaccine at lots of pharmacies. You can search for one near you on Healthpoint: www.healthpoint.co.nz/immunisation
You can also book through your GP, nurse, or Hauora Māori or Pacific healthcare provider.
Need help? Call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 28 29 26 (Mon–Fri 8:30am–9pm, weekends 8:30am–2pm) for support). Interpreters, Māori kaimahi or disability advisors are available.

07/01/2026

☀️ While you're out enjoying the sunshine, don’t forget to Slip, Slop, Slap, and Wrap to protect your skin:

☂️ Slip on a shirt and into the shade.
🧴 Slop on broad-spectrum sunscreen (don’t forget to reapply!).
🧢 Slap on a wide-brimmed hat.
😎 Wrap on some sunnies to protect your eyes.

Keep your skin safe this summer! For more tips, visit 👉 www.sunsmart.org.nz

02/01/2026

Heading away for a break? 🏖️

Whether you’re camping, travelling across the motu or spending time at the beach - don’t forget to pack a travel-friendly first aid kit. Here's a handy checklist to help keep you and your whānau safe:

🩹 Plasters (all sizes)
💊 Pain relief (like paracetamol or ibuprofen)
🚑 Antiseptic cream/wipes
🦟 Insect repellent
☀️ Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
🤒 Antihistamines (for allergies)
🎣 Tweezers (for splinters/stings)
😷 Masks and hand sanitiser
💧 Electrolyte sachets (for hydration)
📄 Any prescription medications you need.

Stay prepared and enjoy a safe and happy holiday! 🏕️🌞

30/12/2025

💖 As we get ready to say haere rā to to the year, we want to say a huge thank you to our whānau, community and network of general practices and hauora providers for your ongoing support.

And an extra special thanks to our kaimahi for all your hard mahi throughout 2025 🫶✨

Here’s to 2026 🎉

23/12/2025

Kia ora e te whānau, THINK Hauora will be closed from Thursday, 25 December 2025, and will reopen with full services on Monday, 12 January 2026.

We’re looking forward to working alongside whānau, general practices, and our community providers again in the new year 💪🫶

Stay safe, and from all of us at THINK Hauora - meri Kirihimete me ngā mihi o te tau hou!

19/12/2025

If you're needing healthcare over the holiday period and can't see your usual General Practice team, Practice Plus is available for telehealth consultations every day, including weekends and public holidays.

If you can’t see your usual healthcare provider, Practice Plus offers:
✔ Same-day virtual medical appointments
✔ Prescriptions
✔ Care from the comfort of your home

You don’t need to be enrolled with a general practice to use Practice Plus.

👉 Visit www.practiceplus.nz for more info and to book.

18/12/2025

🎉 Celebrating a decade of dedication to whānau in our rohe 🎉

Last week, we marked an incredible milestone for two of our amazing kaimahi, recognising 10 years of service for Megan Fang, one of our Clinical Dietitians, and Harieta Erasito, our Pasifika & Child Health Coordinator Team Lead.

Ngā mihi nui for your unwavering commitment and passion for supporting the health and wellbeing of our whānau and communities over the past decade! 💙

17/12/2025

Not sure where to go for healthcare these holidays? There are plenty of options across our rohe to help you and your whānau stay well and enjoy the season.

🟢 Minor illnesses or non-urgent advice

- Visit your local pharmacy for free advice on common health issues

- Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 to speak with a registered nurse (even if you’re not enrolled with a GP)

🟡 Non-urgent but need to see a clinician

- Call your GP team 24/7 – even after hours or on public holidays, your call will be diverted to a medical team who will advise you on your next steps.

- Use Practice Plus for fast online consultations from home: open weekdays 9am–10pm, weekends/public holidays 8am–8pm. Learn more: www.practiceplus.nz.

- If you're in Horowhenua, call Muaūpoko Tribal Authority Kaiāwhina on 0800 4 Takuta (0800 4 825 882). This free service connects Horowhenua whānau to free Practice Plus appointments and is available every day across the holiday period: weekdays 9am – 9pm & weekends 9am - 2pm.

🟠 Urgent but not life-threatening

- Call your GP team first for advice on the right care for your needs.

- Not enrolled? Contact Healthline or visit MidCentral's Urgent Care Centre at City Doctors.

🔴 Life-threatening emergency

- Call 111 or go to Palmerston North ED

For more info on healthcare in MidCentral over the holidays head to our website:

👉 https://www.thinkhauora.nz/accessing-healthcare-during-christmas

Or visit https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/midcentral/

Find out how to access healthcare in MidCentral over the Christmas holidays. Check GP and pharmacy hours, plan prescriptions, and learn where to go for urgent or emergency care.

10/12/2025

General Practice & Pharmacy holiday hours – plan ahead!

Many practices and pharmacies stay open during the festive season, but hours can vary.

✅ Check before you visit – see a list of practice and pharmacy hours on our website here: 👉 https://www.thinkhauora.nz/accessing-healthcare-during-christmas

✅ Travelling? Use https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/ to find opening times wherever you are

Enjoy the holidays knowing where to go if you need care! 🌞

THINK Hauora is a not-for-profit charitable trust, that provides primary healthcare services to the MidCentral DHB population. Primary healthcare services are managed and delivered in the community through the PHO.

04/12/2025

Heading away over the upcoming holidays? Don’t forget your prescriptions!

Order early to avoid last-minute stress.

✅ Request repeat prescriptions now

✅ Need more than two weeks’ supply? Talk to your GP team

✅ Urgent prescriptions: Some pharmacies can help if you run out unexpectedly – get in touch with your local pharmacy for more information.

For more info head to: https://www.thinkhauora.nz/pharmacy

01/12/2025

Got questions about measles and immunisation for your pēpi? Paediatrician Dr Owen Sinclair (Te Rarawa) answers some of the most common questions in this video from Health NZ – Te Whatu Ora.

Still have questions?
✅ Talk to your usual GP team, Hauora Māori or Pacific health provider
✅ Call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 28 29 26

Protecting your whānau starts with trusted information.