Waiheke Health Trust

28/12/2025

As everyone knows, housing is one of the biggest barriers to recruiting essential workers such as teachers and nurses to work on Waiheke.

We are thrilled that UK Nurse Practitioner Samantha Voss will be joining Ostend Medical Centre shortly as our new Nurse Team Leader. Sam, her husband, and their 3 kids are moving from their home in Brighton, England to start their new adventure on Waiheke.

If you know of affordable, furnished accommodation that would suit this lovely family as they settle into island life, please be in touch with us at the clinic - contact info below!

23/12/2025

An annual Christmas tradition at Waiheke Health Trust and Ostend Medical Centre is collecting necessities (and a few goodies, of course!) for our friends at Waiheke Budgeting Services Trust to distribute to those in need at the holidays.

We're really proud to support the work of this amazing organisation who make our community an even better place to live for everyone!

18/12/2025

After providing about 8000 GP and Nurse appointments, 3300 x-rays and ultrasound scans, and receiving almost 1000 referrals to our Community Services this year, it's no wonder that the hardworking team from Waiheke Health Trust enjoyed a beautiful night out yesterday at Waiheke Bowling Club.

Thanks to the club for the warm hospitality, The Social Waiheke for the delicious kai, the coaches for their extreme patience and Cheek2Cheek for the gorgeous music.

And warm wishes for a safe and happy holiday from our team to our Waiheke community!

15/12/2025

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at Waiheke Health Trust!

Many thanks to all of the clients and community members who show their love through baking this time of year. It makes us a very, very happy team!

08/12/2025

A key service that Waiheke Health Trust's Community Support Workers provide is meal preparation for the clients they are caring for.

So, how lucky were we to have a food prep training with local legend Sherri Hinch?

Sherri took us through great topics like preparing nutrient dense food for people recovering from surgery, best foods for those with swallowing issues, handling kitchen equipment and maintaining food safety.

A huge thank you to Sherri for an evening that was fun, informative AND tasty!

02/12/2025

Head's up, guys!

The end of year rush has arrived and is already impacting calendars. With this in mind, the first meeting of the Waiheke Men's Club has been pushed out to 4 March 2026. More time to round up your mates and, don't worry, we'll remind you early next year.

In the meantime, you can always email Travis at waihekemensclub@gmail.com to find out more.

See you in March!

Men's Get Together

Off the back of a second highly successful "Men's Health Matters" evening run by Waiheke Health Trust a group has being established, "Waiheke Men's Club" (WMC) to support men connecting on the island.

Yes! Inspired also by W3, they see the benefits in getting together on a regular basis. It will be a monthly catch-up with new and old mates!

The first such evening is Wednesday December 3rd at Wild Estate
Here are the details!

When: Wednesday 3rd December (first Wednesday of each month restarting in March 2026) 6:30pm-9:30pm
Where: Wild Estate
Price: $25pp incl a drink on arrival and some shared snacks (thanks Wild!)
RSVP: Register bookings@wildestate.co.nz or 093723434

What is WMC?
The WMC is a monthly social catch-up with new and old mates.
We know that catching up with our friends is good for our wellbeing and mental health, but as blokes we are often quite useless at it. WMC aims to provide that monthly catch up that is also "entertaining, connecting and interesting".

Format: Come along with a mate or a few. Or we have a table/s for guys coming by themselves

This month will start with a panel chat about “the importance of mateship”
Followed by you “checking in with”, and catching up with the mates you have come with. If you are coming alone that’s great - you'll be connected with some other Waiheke men.
Discussions that are not too shallow, but not too deep. Real but not woo-woo
Maybe enjoy a beer but not a piss-up, as they’ll kick you out at 9:30pm because they want your partners to encourage you to the next one!!!

Who is WMC?
WMC is currently casually organised by Travis Field (who was one of the Waiheke Health Trust's panelists at the recent Men's Health event), The Waiheke Health Trust, and Wild Estate.
It's about creating community not $money.

"First rule of Men's Club, DO talk about Men's Club"

Sooo W3 - tell the men in your life to put this evening into their diaries and whether they go with a mate or by themselves, studies show that there are huge health benefits when men connect socially together.

26/11/2025

It is with heavy hearts that we send so much aroha to Gaye and Jamie as they remember and reminisce today with many others at the remarkable life of Cliff Schaeffer.

Cliff's bird's eye view was captured so beautifully by Rachel Mataira in our 'In Focus' exhibition this year. His photos in homes and businesses across Waiheke are a lovely reminder of the legacy he created. In Cliff's honour, we're sharing another of Rachel's photos here - of him sharing one of his photo books with nurse Janet and occupational therapist Stephanie from Waiheke Health Trust.

It was such an honour for our staff to have played a small part in Cliff's care, over a long period of time.

His great sense of humour and his absolute determination are standouts for us as a team. You will be missed Cliff. ❤️

Soar high, Cliff, in the highest of microlights!

24/11/2025

We are incredibly proud to be a part of this initiative to support our motu men!

And - update - we've just heard that men are welcome to come along for free if they want to join the conversation, but aren't fussed about the snacks and drinks. So no excuses, guys. Come along and check it out!

Men's Get Together

Off the back of a second highly successful "Men's Health Matters" evening run by Waiheke Health Trust a group has being established, "Waiheke Men's Club" (WMC) to support men connecting on the island.

Yes! Inspired also by W3, they see the benefits in getting together on a regular basis. It will be a monthly catch-up with new and old mates!

The first such evening is Wednesday December 3rd at Wild Estate
Here are the details!

When: Wednesday 3rd December (first Wednesday of each month restarting in March 2026) 6:30pm-9:30pm
Where: Wild Estate
Price: $25pp incl a drink on arrival and some shared snacks (thanks Wild!)
RSVP: Register bookings@wildestate.co.nz or 093723434

What is WMC?
The WMC is a monthly social catch-up with new and old mates.
We know that catching up with our friends is good for our wellbeing and mental health, but as blokes we are often quite useless at it. WMC aims to provide that monthly catch up that is also "entertaining, connecting and interesting".

Format: Come along with a mate or a few. Or we have a table/s for guys coming by themselves

This month will start with a panel chat about “the importance of mateship”
Followed by you “checking in with”, and catching up with the mates you have come with. If you are coming alone that’s great - you'll be connected with some other Waiheke men.
Discussions that are not too shallow, but not too deep. Real but not woo-woo
Maybe enjoy a beer but not a piss-up, as they’ll kick you out at 9:30pm because they want your partners to encourage you to the next one!!!

Who is WMC?
WMC is currently casually organised by Travis Field (who was one of the Waiheke Health Trust's panelists at the recent Men's Health event), The Waiheke Health Trust, and Wild Estate.
It's about creating community not $money.

"First rule of Men's Club, DO talk about Men's Club"

Sooo W3 - tell the men in your life to put this evening into their diaries and whether they go with a mate or by themselves, studies show that there are huge health benefits when men connect socially together.

19/11/2025

Meet our MacGyvers!

At Waiheke Health Trust, we don't just lend out wheelchairs and other equipment, we also modify them to make sure our clients are safe and comfortable.

Today's epic project - Occupational Therapist Stephanie and Occupational Therapy Assistant Kim took a bracket off of an old bed rail and used it to attach a leg rest to a wheelchair to create a one of a kind, personalised option for a client.

Now that's some #8 wire kind of stuff!

15/11/2025

💥MEN'S HEALTH MATTERS!
November 2025

90 men
50% returnees from June's event!
1 awesome plan to meet monthly

3 key takeaways:
1. Number one indicator for maintaining health in older age is building muscle mass
2. Insert rituals and routines into your day/week/ month, especially as you're preparing for retirement
3. Use our incredible natural environment on Waiheke for physical and mental wellbeing

Huge thank you to Dr Alistair Somerville GP and Head of Auckland Mens Clinic

Dr Dawn Davis GP at Ostend Medical Centre

Kerry Spray - Fresh Minds intern physcologist

Travis Field - expert in men's friendship

📅 Mens catch up Wednesday 1st December .estate

Voxpop - ka pai Eric-Rangi Hillman ❤️

09/11/2025

The Waiheke Tennis Club delivers again!

Not only did they serve up a beautiful day for the 2025 Le Tour de Tennis, their tremendous efforts raised over $14,000 for Waiheke Health Trust. We can't wait to use these funds to purchase essential equipment for our District Nursing service, ensuring that our community can live well and stay well in the place that they love.

A special thank you to the organising committee of Eric Pilling, Fiona Pilling, Sarah Hazell and John Lindsay who make sure that this is a spectacular event year in and year out! 🎾🎾🎾

05/11/2025

Be IN to WIN!

Men's Health Matters is happening next Wednesday, the 12th, with our expert panel ready to answer all of your most pressing questions related to men's physical and mental health.

For every question submitted, you go into the draw for prizes from Human Strength Co, Waiheke Golf Club and the Waiheke RSA so be sure to come curious.

And while you're welcome to just rock up on the night, if you register in advance with our reception team at Ostend Medical Centre you also go in the draw for a $200 voucher from PlaceMakers Waiheke!