Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network

Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network This is the official page for Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network

Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network is a collective organisation to advocate for the health and wellbeing of rural New Zealanders. Our history dates back 30 years to our beginning as the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network. Over that time, the Network has worked in partnership with other rural health groups including Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand, Rural Nurses New Zealand, Ne

w Zealand Rural Hospital Network and Students of Rural Health Aotearoa to advocate for a better future for rural health. In 2022, the Network and its partners decided to come together as one collective organisation to advocate with a united voice for rural health. Hauora Taiwhenua offers membership to both organisations and individuals with an interest in rural health. We represent the breadth of the rural health sector and rural communities through our nine chapters. Our Chapters are:

Rural General Practice
Rural Nurses New Zealand
Rural Hospitals
Rural Midwifery and Maternity
Rural Communities
Rural Health Research and Education
Whānau Whanui
Rural Scientific, Technical and Allied health
Students of Rural Health Aotearoa

Clutha Health First: A Community-Owned Healthcare Success StoryIn the heart of the Clutha District, Clutha Health First ...
28/05/2026

Clutha Health First: A Community-Owned Healthcare Success Story

In the heart of the Clutha District, Clutha Health First – Hauora Tahi Ki Iwikatea stands as a powerful example of what communities can achieve when they come together to protect and shape their own healthcare future.

Born from the loss of hospital services in the 1990s, the community responded with determination—creating a bold, innovative model that brought healthcare back under one roof.

Today, Clutha Health First delivers fully integrated care for around 20,000 residents, including general practice, maternity, inpatient services, urgent care, diagnostics, and specialist clinics—all locally based to reduce travel and improve continuity of care.

It also continues to lead innovation in rural health, from the Mobile Surgical Bus to digital health systems and simulation-based training, ensuring rural communities receive high-quality, modern care.

At its core, this is a story of community ownership, resilience, and pride—showing what’s possible when rural communities refuse to let essential services disappear.

Read the full story: https://zurl.co/bc8e1

There’s something poetic about gathering at Tākina while Wellington delivered everything it’s famous for — sunshine, rag...
28/05/2026

There’s something poetic about gathering at Tākina while Wellington delivered everything it’s famous for — sunshine, raging southerlies, torrential rain, calm moments, and bursts of energy in between.

Congratulations to Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre on the release of this beautiful new video, capturing the meaning behind Tākina — to encounter, engage, connect, and create new knowledge together.

Over four unforgettable days at Rural WONCA 2026, we saw exactly that brought to life.

From hongi between colleagues and friends, to shared laughter, dance, workshops, embraces, and conversations across cultures — people arrived from every corner of Aotearoa and across the globe, bringing their own stories, worldviews, and lived experiences to Wellington.

And just like the winds described in the kōrero behind Tākina, those ideas and connections will continue travelling far beyond these walls — across the motu and around the world.

No matter what the weather brought outside, the warmth, manaakitanga, and exchange of knowledge inside remained constant.

https://zurl.co/cpE19

Peer Support Training Grant: Funding still available for the current funding roundCareerforce is offering a free Peer Su...
26/05/2026

Peer Support Training Grant: Funding still available for the current funding round

Careerforce is offering a free Peer Support apprenticeship programme specifically designed for individuals who are already in roles where their lived experience is helping others.

This programme allows participants to turn their valuable lived experience into a nationally recognised qualification at no cost. By earning a Peer Support qualification, they’ll not only gain new skills but also continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of others, all while staying in their current role.

Careerforce is offering this programme with zero enrolment fees via a grant funded by Health NZ Te Whatu Ora. Applications for this funding round of the Peer Support Training Grant close at the end of June 2026.

More information is available here: (https://zurl.co/aDDbN)

Supporting Rural Men’s Wellbeing on the GroundHauora Taiwhenua member Samantha McBride is delivering practical, peer-led...
24/05/2026

Supporting Rural Men’s Wellbeing on the Ground

Hauora Taiwhenua member Samantha McBride is delivering practical, peer-led wellbeing support to rural men across the South Island through her GrowUSwell programme—backed by the Rural Wellbeing Fund.

Delivered in workplaces and communities, the programme focuses on real-life pressures like stress, sleep, and isolation, using simple tools and a strong peer approach that builds trust, connection, and open conversation.

Early impact is already clear, with men reporting healthier habits, stronger connections, and real changes in how they support each other.

Read more: https://zurl.co/YbbQh

What a day at RuralFest 2026.Today, rural leaders, clinicians, policymakers, community organisations, and advocates came...
20/05/2026

What a day at RuralFest 2026.

Today, rural leaders, clinicians, policymakers, community organisations, and advocates came together at Parliament to share ideas, challenge thinking, and keep rural health firmly on the national agenda.

From workforce and access challenges through to innovation, equity, and community-led solutions, the conversations throughout the day reflected both the realities facing rural communities and the determination to create positive change.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, supported, and helped make the day such a success. Together, we continue advocating for healthy and thriving rural communities across Aotearoa.

RuralFest 2026 is underway today at Parliament, bringing together rural leaders, health professionals, policymakers, com...
19/05/2026

RuralFest 2026 is underway today at Parliament, bringing together rural leaders, health professionals, policymakers, community advocates, and organisations from across Aotearoa.

Hosted by our Rural Communities Chapter, the day is an opportunity to elevate rural voices, strengthen connections, and continue important conversations around equitable healthcare, workforce sustainability, and thriving rural communities.

We’re looking forward to a day of kōrero, collaboration, and advocacy at the heart of government.

Our Chapters thrive on collective wisdom. Don't just watch from the sidelines, join our whānau, share your journey and l...
19/05/2026

Our Chapters thrive on collective wisdom. Don't just watch from the sidelines, join our whānau, share your journey and let's shape the future of rural health side-by-side. Become a member today at https://zurl.co/2q81k

Check out these photos of some of our Chapter Chairs at Strategy Day, mapping out their Chapter workplans for the coming year.

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We’re proud to share that Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network has been named a finalist in the 2026 Beef + Lamb New Ze...
19/05/2026

We’re proud to share that Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network has been named a finalist in the 2026 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards for the FMG Rural Champion Award — a national recognition of the growing impact of our work alongside rural communities and the primary sector.

This nomination shines a light on the collective effort behind strengthening farmer wellbeing and rural health outcomes across Aotearoa. From the Hauora Taiwhenua Health & Wellbeing Hub at Fieldays, to national advocacy through the Rural Health Snapshot and RuralFest at Parliament, this recognition reflects the commitment of our members, partners, volunteers, and rural health workforce working every day to reduce inequities and support thriving rural communities.

As an organisation, we don’t take this recognition lightly — it belongs to everyone working across rural health to ensure no community is left behind.

Read the feature, on Page 70, here: https://zurl.co/eamX7

Today, members of Council, Board, Te Rōpū Ārahi and Chapter leadership have come together in Wellington for our 2026 St...
18/05/2026

Today, members of Council, Board, Te Rōpū Ārahi and Chapter leadership have come together in Wellington for our 2026 Strategic Planning Day.

Across the day, we’ll be shaping the next phase of our Strategic Plan, strengthening chapter priorities, and identifying the actions needed to continue advancing equitable rural health outcomes across Aotearoa.

These conversations are grounded in collaboration, lived experience, and a shared commitment to healthy and thriving rural communities. We also look forward to carrying key learnings and priorities into RuralFest tomorrow at Parliament.

Hauora Taiwhenua’s Rural Health Snapshot 2026 is now available, providing the most up-to-date evidence on the health and...
17/05/2026

Hauora Taiwhenua’s Rural Health Snapshot 2026 is now available, providing the most up-to-date evidence on the health and wellbeing of rural communities across Aotearoa.

Launched at Rural WONCA 2026 and drawing on the latest Census 2023 data alongside the strengthened Geographic Classification for Health, the report offers a clearer picture than ever before of rural health outcomes and inequities across the motu.

The Snapshot shows that more than 900,000 people live in rural New Zealand, yet significant disparities remain in access to care, workforce availability, and health outcomes - particularly for Māori and those living in more remote communities. At the same time, it highlights encouraging progress driven through sustained advocacy, including improvements to rural funding models, urgent care approaches, and rural health data.

With RuralFest taking place this Wednesday at Parliament, the Snapshot helps ground these important conversations in evidence, lived experience, and the realities facing rural communities every day.

We encourage policymakers, providers, community leaders, and the wider rural health sector to read the report and be part of shaping a more equitable future for rural health in Aotearoa.

View the document here: https://zurl.co/g96Hu

Kia ora! I'm Lisa Maxwell and I am a Nurse Manager in Waikato District, my portfolio incorporates Te Kuiti, Tokoroa and ...
14/05/2026

Kia ora! I'm Lisa Maxwell and I am a Nurse Manager in Waikato District, my portfolio incorporates Te Kuiti, Tokoroa and Taumarunui Hospitals along with District Nursing across the district. Nurse Manager is my latest role of a number of senior nursing roles at Waikato where I have worked for the last 30 years.

Outside of work I enjoy spending some time outdoors mountain biking or walking, as well as travelling.

I became a member of the network as I recently attended WONCA in Wellington and realised I was missing out on connections and information across rural health.

What I see as one of the key challenges in rural health right now is the appropriate and timely transfer of patients to tertiary facilities to access specialised investigations that are centralised. This is also provides an opportunity as to how we can improve the transfer of patients, or bring investigations into rural hospitals and make health care more equitable.

I’m always happy to connect with others working in rural health—feel free to reach out via email or LinkedIn.

Address

Level 2, 88 The Terrace
Wellington
6140

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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