Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network

15/09/2025

Set in the heart of Taranaki, Hawera Hospital is a cornerstone of rural care. Here, healthcare is personal, community is everything, and every day brings purpose.

Next week, the Rural Health Roadshow with Ministers Matt Doocey and Mark Patterson comes to Hāwera to talk local health care.

Tuesday 23 September, 12–1.30pm
TSB Hub, Camberwell Road

Register: https://zurl.co/SnPpY

14/09/2025

Since 2007, the Rural Medical Immersion Programme (RMIP) has been shaping the future of rural healthcare in New Zealand. What began as a bold experiment is now a proven success: RMIP graduates are nearly six times more likely to return to rural practice than their peers.

From Queenstown and Greymouth to nine sites across the motu, Otago University's RMIP has grown into a cornerstone of medical education - building confident doctors, strengthening communities, and sustaining the rural workforce for years to come.

Read the full story here: https://zurl.co/cEj5g

12/09/2025

We’re proud to share that our Chief Executive, Dr Grant Davidson, has been appointed to the Medical Advisory Board guiding the establishment of the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine at Waikato University.

This expert group brings together leaders from across the health sector to ensure the new school delivers on its mission: training more doctors for primary care and rural communities.

Set to open in 2028, the graduate-entry medical school will play a critical role in addressing New Zealand’s chronic workforce shortages and shaping a stronger future for healthcare.

Read more here: https://zurl.co/ghVeD

12/09/2025

Nestled in the heart of Taranaki, Hawera Hospital is where community, coastline, and clinical excellence meet.

In Hawera, life flows at a different pace. With a strong sense of community and space to breathe, Hawera Hospital offers a lifestyle where wellbeing and whānau come first.

On the 23rd September, the Rural Health Roadshow with Ministers Matt Doocey and Mark Patterson comes to Hāwera to talk local health care.

Tuesday 23 September, 12–1.30pm
TSB Hub, Camberwell Road

Register: https://zurl.co/SnPpY

11/09/2025

From her home in Ōmārama (population 300), Registered Nurse Fiona Chamberlain is making a big impact in rural health. With more than 30 years’ experience across nursing, Māori health, governance and management, Fiona has returned to frontline practice at Kurow Medical Centre, caring for communities in Kurow, Twizel and Ōmārama.

Fiona recently joined Hauora Taiwhenua, recognising the strength of a collective voice for rural professionals. She’s passionate about equity, innovation, and building strong connections across rural primary care.

We’re proud to celebrate Fiona’s mahi and the difference she makes every day.

Read her full story here: https://zurl.co/0Ughy

11/09/2025

Calling all rural health leaders, researchers, and practitioners! Abstract submissions are still open for the 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference

Share your ideas, research, and stories with the world: https://zurl.co/FHrNM

10/09/2025

Due to demand, we have extended our closing date for our Rural Health Scholarships in collaboration with Mobile Health Group

The new closing date is now October 31st, and we want to hear from you (or your teenagers and friends who may be thinking about pursuing a career in health!).

These Scholarships aim to alleviate financial study pressures for high school students entering tertiary education.

We usually award four scholarships each year – but this year we have 14! This big boost has been made possible thanks to the generous support of The Combined Community Trusts.

Find out more here: https://zurl.co/9fzKa

10/09/2025

This year’s New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards He Tohu Mauri Ora brought our health sector together for a night of recognition and celebration.

Luke Baddington, GM Workforce, Connor Owen, Marketing and Recruitment Coordinator, (both pictured) and Jane Booth, GM Communications attended for Hauora Taiwhenua and NZLocums & NZMedJobs.

Amidst the achievements we saw on stage, the shared purpose uniting every corner of our sector of caring shone strongly. It is this commitment that continues to push us forward and shape the future of healthcare in New Zealand.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists, and a thank you to the sponsors, partners, and everyone who made this incredible event possible.

Together, we continue to honour and strengthen primary healthcare in Aotearoa.

10/09/2025

ICYMI: Presenting to the Select Committee on the Pae Ora Amendment Bill

Missed yesterday’s live presentation to the Select Committee on the Pae Ora Amendment Bill?

You can now watch Hauora Taiwhenua CEO Grant Davidson and Kaumātua/Board Member Peter Jackson share the rural health perspective directly with decision-makers.

Watch the key session here: https://zurl.co/0neds

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/09/2025

Join the rural health roadshow with Ministers Doocey and Patterson as they visit Te Kuiti to talk about local health care.

When: 12 noon – 1.30pm on Wednesday 24 September
Where: Les Munro Centre on 8 King Street East, Te Kūiti
Register here: https://zurl.co/ycdRp

Hon Matt Doocey is Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health. Hon Mark Patterson is Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister of Agriculture.

For more information about the roadshow visit the roadshow website: https://zurl.co/J3hO1

09/09/2025

Watch Live: Presenting to the Select Committee on the Pae Ora Amendment Bill - Wednesday 10 September

Tomorrow, our CEO Grant Davidson and our Kaumātua and Board Member Peter Jackson will be presenting to the Select Committee on the Pae Ora Amendment Bill.

This is an important opportunity to share the rural health perspective directly with decision-makers, ensuring that the voices of rural communities are part of shaping the future of health in Aotearoa.

Tune in live at 8:20am via https://zurl.co/j6DXI

Watch public meetings of the Health Committee

08/09/2025

Join the rural health roadshow with Ministers Doocey and Patterson next stop in Hāwera to talk about local health care.

When: 12 noon – 1.30pm on Tuesday 23 September
Where: TSB Hub on Camberwell Road, Hāwera
Register here: https://zurl.co/SnPpY

Hon Matt Doocey is Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health. Hon Mark Patterson is Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister of Agriculture.

For more information about the roadshow visit the roadshow website: https://zurl.co/J3hO1