26/03/2026
Rural healthcare in New Zealand is built on strong connections between rural general practices, rural hospitals, and the communities they serve.
For many rural communities, general practice is the first point of contact for healthcare — providing everything from preventative care and chronic disease management to urgent treatment and specialist referrals. Rural hospitals work alongside these teams to deliver responsive care close to home, often with fewer resources but a deep commitment to their communities.
Supporting these services means supporting the rural health workforce — ensuring clinicians can thrive both professionally and personally in the communities they serve.
In this video, Dr Steve Fish, a family doctor in Waimate, shares his experience of rural medicine and the work–life balance that comes with living and working in rural Aotearoa.
Because rural practice offers more than a career — it offers connection, community, and a lifestyle that’s hard to match.