Home and Community Health Association

12/09/2025

6 weeks to go until our 2025 HCHA Forum - Whakatairanga - Elevate, Celebrate Our Impact.

Register now: https://whakatairanga-elevate-hcha-forum-2025.lilregie.com/event-password

PLEASE NOTE: A password is needed for registration - HCHA members were emailed the password on the 18th August.
For more information or sponsorship packages details please contact:
info@hcha.org.nz

09/09/2025

The Agenda for the HCHA Member Forum: Whakatairanga – Elevate: Celebrate Our Impact Forum has been released. Make sure to register.

Fur further information click here:

https://www.hcha.org.nz/events

To register click here:
https://whakatairanga-elevate-hcha-forum-2025.lilregie.com/
Please note: A password is needed for registration - HCHA members were emailed the password on the 18th August.

For more information or sponsorship packages details please contact: info@hcha.org.nz

05/09/2025

Reflecting the inclusive and engaging approach of Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, Lisa Foster, HCHA CEO was thrilled to take part in the wide-ranging consultation on the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026–2030.

The refreshed strategy focuses on five priority outcome areas: education, employment, health, housing, and justice.

During the session, there was fantastic input and thoughtful suggestions; contributions that can help shape a strategy grounded in practical, measurable actions to build a society where disabled people thrive, lead, and participate fully in all aspects of life.

🗣️ Have your say and be part of the conversation🗣️
https://www.whaikaha.govt.nz/about-us/our-work/new-zealand-disability-strategy-refresh

04/09/2025

🌻 Please share our latest press release and tune in to HCHA’s upcoming radio interview with MediaWorks! 🌻

The interview airs today across several MediaWorks stations—including More FM, The Breeze, and others. We’ll be discussing the recent announcement - how they impact home and community care, plus what they mean for disabled people and whānau carers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

🌻Uplifting to receive Minister Louise Upston's announcements on major changes to Disability Support Services. 🌻

Homecare is a vital part of enabling care that reflects the choices and preferences of disabled people. We welcome the shift toward a fairer, more consistent system—one that offers flexibility and includes whānau carers in meaningful ways.

This is an active starting point for transforming how disability support is delivered: placing the person at the centre, rather than navigating a siloed and complex system. It’s a promising direction that could also inform future health system reviews and fair pricing models; particularly for older people.

The next step is stabilising the system through genuine cross-sector engagement, including Health NZ, ACC, and others, to ensure lasting change that reflects the needs of those at the heart of care. A respected, high-quality workforce and accredited providers as hosts, will be pivotal to making this vision a reality.

Scoop Community provides New Zealand Community news and views

28/08/2025

28/08/2025

A message from our CEO Lisa Foster.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of presenting an oral submission to the People’s Select Committee alongside our Board Chair, Murray Penman. Together, we shared our deep concerns about the consequences on the Homecare sector and 26,000 Workforce - of repealing the long-standing Pay Equity process and framework.

Over the past four years, employers have invested significant time, data, and resources — estimated at more than $2 million collectively — in good faith, believing a sector-wide solution was being developed. Pragmatic costing models (SPAG) were also provided to officials, offering a clear basis for understanding the real cost of delivery and supporting improved pay rates.

Yet despite this commitment, the pay equity process was halted — without notice, discussion, or a clear alternative plan, funding model, or roadmap. This abrupt stop leaves the sector in a precarious position, with serious consequences for both the workforce and the people who rely on their care.

We now have growing pay parity issues with Health NZ rates of pay estimated at $5 higher than fully funded community workers, including nurses, allied health professionals and front-line managers. There is no way forward and no over-arching plan for employers to follow- this leads to fragmentation and sector instability.

With an ageing population and evidenced increasing demand for home and community support, it is vital that we work towards sustainable solutions that protect both our workforce and our communities - and most importantly those vulnerable New Zealanders who rely on our care and we help to keep out of hospital or long-term care facilities.

Please feel free to share and comment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNe_UGxM7vc

Please go to 50.00mins to see our submission.

Simeon Brown MP Nicola Willis MPCasey Costello MP

Virtual Hearing

28/08/2025

HCHA CEO Lisa Foster meet with Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall this week to discuss the transformative potential of Home Care in strengthening our health system.

She explored how quality care delivered in people’s homes can reduce pressure on hospitals and general practices—freeing up time and capacity for frontline staff while improving wellbeing and reducing ED visits.

The conversation highlighted the importance of:
• Collaboration across the health ecosystem
• Tech-enabled innovation
• Fair and sustainable funding models

Home Care is not just a service—it's a solution for a more resilient, patient centred future

25/08/2025

⭐️ Whakatairana: Elevate Member Forum ⭐️

Lisa Foster, HCHA CEO is thrilled to invite HCHA members to our upcoming Member Forum on 23rd October- a day dedicated to connection, conversation and collective impact. Minister of Health Hon Simeon Brown MP will present the opening address. Here’s what’s in store:

• Connection & Collaboration
Share real-life stories of how Homecare is transforming the lives of 110,000+ whānau across Aotearoa
• Sector Insights
Get the latest updates on funding models from ACC, Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora and DSS
• Future Focus
Hear visionary presentations from leading researchers and the exceptional Sir Ashley Bloomfield
• Inspiration & Innovation
Explore emerging ideas and strategies to propel our sector forward

If you are a member please join us for an inspiring, informative and action-packed event. Let’s learn, share and elevate the sector- see you there!

If membership is of interest, please contact us at info@hcha.org.nz

Registration Link:
https://whakatairanga-elevate-hcha-forum-2025.lilregie.com/event-password

Password - HCHA Members received an email on the 18th August 2025 with the password to register. For further information please contact HCHA on info@hcha.org.nz

24/08/2025

A personal post today from our CEO Lisa Foster, with a clear message for inclusion and funding to allow for Homecare growth.

This affects each and every one of us both as employers and as humans - we will continue to advocate the need to have a clear funding model in place.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

This week has been a time of reflection and care in many forms. I attended the tangi of a close friend who lived with MND, a powerful reminder of the value of the immeasurable role of whānau, friends, and close carers who walk alongside. At the same time, my son has had an operation, and I have been his carer on his road to recovery.

These experiences are stark reminders that it is not only buildings that matter - some of the more intangible elements are the glue!

Home and community care and the role of carers is so often invisible, yet it is woven into the very fabric that holds life together. The threads of professional support, such as specialists, palliative care, NGOs, aroha from whānau, and the compassion of friends intertwine to create the matrix of life, dignity, and connection in times of both challenge and healing.

That is why sustaining and valuing home and community care matters so deeply—for every family, in every stage of life. We desperately need clear pathways and plans with publicly shared and agreed funding models, workforce plans and mechanisms that include those who live and breathe it. We need a structured way to ensure the workforce is valued and funding enables adequate margins for comparable pay rates with hospital Healthcare assistants.

When will a pragmatic funding model with authentic sector inclusion in any analysis happen I wonder? Internal analysis without scrutiny or transparent inclusion is not the way forward.

Time is ticking by....
How many reports do we need that repeat the facts of underfunding and a need for growth 💹 🙏

Casey Costello MP, Simeon Brown MP, Matt Doocey MP

21/08/2025

HCHA Member Forum 2025: Whakatairanga – Elevate: Celebrate Our Impact Forum

Register here: https://whakatairanga-elevate-hcha-forum-2025.lilregie.com/event-password

Please note: HCHA Members should have received an email on the 18th August 2025 with the password to register. For further information please contact HCHA on info@hcha.org.nz

Join us for an inspiring event where we highlight the remarkable achievements of our community, share stories of impact, and raise awareness of the vital services that make a difference in over 100,000 everyday lives. This HCHA Member Only Forum is not just an opportunity to reflect on our collective accomplishments but also a chance to connect, collaborate, and envision the future together.

8.30am – 4.15pm
23rd October 2025
Te Papa Tongarewa
Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington)

The Forum will showcase a range of inspiring sector stories, with special recognition given to one exceptional submission. The Honourable Minister of Health, Simeon Brown, will present the award and deliver the opening address.

Other speakers include:
• Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Chief Executive, New Zealand Institute for Public Health & Forensic Science
• Professor Matthew Parsons, Professor of Gerontology, Waikato University
• Carolyn Stewart, Senior Lecturer in Nursing & PhD candidate, Waikato University
• Tom Symondson, Chief Executive Officer, Ageing Australia
• Poornima Ramjee, Manager Recovery Services, ACC New Zealand
• Anne Shaw, Associate Deputy Chief Executive, Disability Support Services
• Lisa Cochrane, Head of Delivery Health – Australia and NZ, BSI and Cathy Cummings, Chief Executive Officer, DAA Group
• Lotta Dann, Project Lead, Blueprint for Learning

Register here: https://whakatairanga-elevate-hcha-forum-2025.lilregie.com/event-password

Please note: HCHA Members should have received an email on the 18th August 2025 with the password to register. For further information please contact HCHA on info@hcha.org.nz

18/08/2025

Awareness of the benefits of Homecare needs to be shared—your stories truly matter. Every day, countless lives are positively impacted in ways that often go unnoticed. These moments deserve to be highlighted and given the recognition they rightfully deserve.

Please send through your stories to HCHA - info@hcha.org.nz

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sometimes, simplicity is the smartest strategy.

With growing pressure on hospitals and aged residential care, it’s time to commit and invest in home-based care options. The evidence is clear—highlighted in multiple reports, including the HNZ-commissioned Aged Care Review and the recent Sapere modelling paper.

We’re at a pivotal moment. To build a sustainable and effective home-based care system, we must bring together the voices that matter: providers of all connected services and those directly impacted, whānau, carers, healthcare professionals, and support workers.

Let’s shape a future healthcare system that’s responsive—not reactive.

17/08/2025

Fantastic to meet some amazing leaders and to learn more about the interconnected economic aspects shaping our futures and impacting the future of health care at the NZ Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) event.

The integration and depth of economic awareness of key elements—like infrastructure, energy, transport, and our ageing population—are vital for leaders to grasp. These are not just policy topics; they’re the building blocks of everyday life, and understanding them helps ensure we’re making informed, future-ready decisions.

Independent analysis and reporting play a crucial role in preparing for what’s ahead.

Grateful for the insights shared and the opportunity to engage in such meaningful conversations.