Pinnacle Health

15/02/2026

What if recruitment and immigration for health professionals are made easier?

We are well aware of our practice network's pain points, and one of them is workforce shortage and costly recruitment. If left unaddressed, we know that this will keep practice managers from delivering accessible primary care to our communities.

So last year, we partnered with New Zealand Shores to tailor the support for our practice network such as the recruitment and immigration of GPs, physician associates, and nurse practitioners from overseas. Explore a hassle-free, end-to-end recruitment and immigration service or ask NZ Shores to tailor a service package based on your need.

We secured a significant discounted rate for our network, and Pinnacle is also present in the process to ease administrative burden and some financial costs for employer accreditation and job checks if needed.

In this video, our deputy chief executive Katie Latimer and NZ Shores' Charlotte Stockman share the key things you need to know about this initiative. If you have questions, email recruitmentandimmigration@pinnacle.health.nz.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xqsRjQh0kYk

08/02/2026

Kia ora! We hope you enjoyed the long weekend and had a meaningful commemoration of Waitangi Day. In the hope of inspiring others to carry the essence of Te Tiriti o Waitangi into their work beyond Waitangi Day, Teresa McGovern, Pinnacle's clinical services manager for School Based Health Services (Waikato) shares in this clip how the SBHS team focuses on equity, and gives equal respect and dignity to rangatahi.

How does Te Tiriti o Waitangi relate to the mahi that you do? 😊

05/02/2026

Ngā mihi o te rā o Waitangi! On behalf of Pinnacle, our CE Justin Butcher extends a warm greeting and whakaaro (thoughts) on this important day. He also shares what Waitangi means to him personally, and what we do as an organisation towards being good Te Tiriti partners.

"It's as important today as it was first signed because working in the health industry, it's impossible to walk past the health inequities that Māori face."

Learn more about the Treaty here: https://tikatangata.org.nz/human-rights-in-aotearoa/human-rights-and-te-tiriti-o-waitangi

05/02/2026

Kia ora e te whānau. As we look forward to commemorating Waitangi Day tomorrow, our GM Māori health & equity Rawiri Blundell, shares some whakaaro (thoughts) and pātai (questions). What does Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty) mean to you both in your own whānau and working environment? How do we influence change in organisations using the principles of the Treaty? We'd love to know your thoughts.

You can learn more about how Te Tiriti o Waitangi is weaved into the health and disability system here:https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2024-05/whakamaua-tiriti-o-waitangi-framework-a3-aug20.pdf

15/01/2026

We know that many of our practices have been working hard even during the break, and have hit the ground running. We just want to thank everyone of you for your dedication in caring for our communities, and wish you a great new year!

This is a year full of opportunities for growth, as well as of challenges, but we are confident that with our strong network of general practices, we'll stay true to our vision: Kia hauora te katoa, kia puāwai te katoa (Everyone healthy, everyone thriving).

Here's a short message from our CEO Justin Butcher, deputy CEO Katie Latimer, and clinical director Dr Jo Scott-Jones on behalf of Pinnacle.

Ngā mihi o te tau hou!

14/01/2026

"I tell him the thing I have valued most about our consultations is that they have never felt transactional. I have always felt like we are two people invested in the same good outcome. He looks a little teary-eyed."

A long-term GP-patient relationship is like no other. In this heartfelt reflection, Venetia Sherson shares her experience as a patient of “Dr C” – better known to many of us as Pinnacle’s former Board Chair and long-serving GP, Dr Frank Cullen, who retired in November. Pinnacle feels honoured to have had Dr Frank as part of our whānau, and to have witnessed the impact he has made in primary care.

More about Dr Frank: https://www.pinnacle.co.nz/news/dr-frank-cullen-a-lifetime-of-listening

Next to my husband of nearly 50 years, my GP knows my body better than anyone. He has been my doctor for more than four decades. How will I manage without him?

13/01/2026

Mental health matters as much as physical health. To continue advocating for this, Pinnacle has joined a collective of providers in Taranaki to form Te Manawanui – an integrated primary mental health and addiction service across Taranaki formed through a collaboration among Pinnacle, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Ruanui and Tui Ora.

In this initiative, kaitautoko/health coaches and health improvement practitioners (HIPs) provide holistic “whole-of-health” approach addressing stress, anxiety, whānau issues, sleep problems, weight management, addictive behaviours, lifestyle changes, and other mild to moderate concerns.

In the previous quarter, consultations and registrations in HIPs have increased with consistently stable satisfaction rating.

Ka rawe te mahi!

In photo: Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey MP, Pinnacle CEO Justin Butcher and Pinnacle Taranaki district manager Tama Tamatea, with representatives from Te Whatu Ora Health NZ, in Taranaki recently.

01/01/2026

What a year it has been! This 2026, we reaffirm our dedication to supporting resilient, sustainable general practice and delivering care that truly meets the needs of every whānau. With health outcomes for all at the heart of our mahi, we look forward to shaping a future where every New Zealander has the opportunity to thrive. Mauri ora!

24/12/2025

From our Pinnacle whānau to yours, we wish you all joyful and restful holidays ahead. The Pinnacle offices will all close to a skeleton staff from 5pm, Wednesday 24 December and re-open Monday 12 January 2026. Let us all make the most of this time to ignite whakawhanaungatanga and spread kindness and aroha. Meri Kirihimete! 🎄

22/12/2025

The New Zealand General Practice podcast has grown so much in 2025! We're so grateful to our listeners, here in Aotearoa and overseas, for supporting this podcast and for sharing it to colleagues to strengthen our network of general practices.

Pinnacle clinical director, Dr Joseph Scott-Jones, together with Dr Dave Maplesden, host this podcast so passionately to bring new knowledge, share best practices, and engage GPs in honest conversations around the realities of general practice.

We're happy to share with you some cool insights from this podcast's Spotify Wrapped including being a 2025 "most shared show" and "talked about show".

If you haven't tuned in yet, please follow us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Looking forward to seeing you next year for more well-researched, informative, and best practice episodes!

🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5vYmziWcCyZ8dxvYNgMjjl?si=ace23eeeef3442bf

🔗 Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-new-zealand-general-practice-podcast/id1457506728

🔗 WordPress: https://opotikigp.com/

🔗 Videos: https://myhealthhub.co.nz/the-new-zealand-general-practice-podcast/

21/12/2025

Did you know around 80 per cent of UV radiation can still get through on a cloudy day? It's important to practice "Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap" to protect your skin and eyes especially this summer.

The Cancer Society of New Zealand's Sun Protection Alert tells you the time each day when you need protection the most. Check out their SunSmart website and click on your city or town on the map to see your Sun Protection Alert time for today: www.sunsmart.org.nz/resources/sun-protection-alert

18/12/2025

With Kirihimete (Christmas) in the air and New Year's Eve fast approaching, festive gatherings often bring plenty of drinks. It’s important to avoid over-drinking to stay safe and healthy.

Check out the Healthify - He Puna Waiora app library for tools to track your drinking, set limits and support your wellbeing: https://healthify.nz/apps/a/alcohol-use-apps