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, New 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

Workforce Panel | Building and Sustaining the Rural Health WorkforceA strong rural health system depends on a supported,...
07/04/2026

Workforce Panel | Building and Sustaining the Rural Health Workforce

A strong rural health system depends on a supported, skilled, and sustainable workforce.

At Rural WONCA 2026, this panel — proudly supported by General Practice New Zealand (GPNZ) — brings together leaders and practitioners to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping rural workforce development, from recruitment and training to retention and wellbeing.

Grounded in lived experience and practical insight, the discussion will focus on solutions that strengthen pathways into rural health and support those already serving their communities.

Join us as we explore how we can build and sustain the workforce needed for the future of rural health.

3 Days to Go | Rural WONCA 2026We’re just three days away from welcoming the global rural health community to Wellington...
06/04/2026

3 Days to Go | Rural WONCA 2026

We’re just three days away from welcoming the global rural health community to Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand.

Final preparations are underway as we get ready for a week of connection, learning, and shared purpose — bringing together voices from across the world to shape the future of rural health.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Rural healthcare in Aotearoa is deeply connected to tikanga and community relationships.The Tātai Whetū app introduces T...
04/04/2026

Rural healthcare in Aotearoa is deeply connected to tikanga and community relationships.

The Tātai Whetū app introduces Tikanga Hauora — how cultural values support respectful and effective healthcare practice.

A great resource for anyone attending Rural WONCA 2026.

https://zurl.co/X93hW

Member Spotlight: Bob De Soto, New Individual Membership Hi everyone,I’m Bob De Soto, a PGY6 Rural Hospital Medicine reg...
03/04/2026

Member Spotlight: Bob De Soto, New Individual Membership

Hi everyone,

I’m Bob De Soto, a PGY6 Rural Hospital Medicine registrar currently based at Te Nikau Hospital in Greymouth. I grew up in Coromandel Town and have spent most of my training in smaller centres, including Northland, Coromandel as a GP registrar, and a stint in Tasmania. My background includes a degree in psychology and a diploma in paediatrics, which mostly helps me understand toddlers and stressed adults — often at the same time. I have an interest in minor surgical procedures and enjoy the practical, hands-on side of rural medicine.

I joined the Network because rural health is where I feel most at home. I like the scope, the teamwork, and the fact that any given shift can involve a bit of everything. One of the biggest challenges I see is workforce pressure and the need to constantly adapt, but that flexibility is also what makes rural practice so rewarding. You learn to think on your feet, improvise when needed, and appreciate the value of a good team.

If there’s one thing I’d say to others, it’s that rural medicine is incredible if you enjoy variety, autonomy, and strong community connections. It’s busy, unpredictable, and occasionally chaotic — but rarely boring. I’m always happy to connect with others interested in procedural skills, rural career pathways, or swapping survival tips from the front line.

Thanks for the warm welcome — I’m looking forward to being part of the Network.

1 Week to Go | Rural WONCA 2026The countdown is on — just one week until Rural WONCA 2026 begins.Very soon, we’ll be gat...
03/04/2026

1 Week to Go | Rural WONCA 2026

The countdown is on — just one week until Rural WONCA 2026 begins.

Very soon, we’ll be gathering in Wellington with rural health professionals, leaders, and communities from across Aotearoa and around the world. A week of learning, connection, and shared purpose awaits.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Secure your place: https://zurl.co/Lz1Vz

02/04/2026

What’s it really like working in New Zealand as a health professional?

In this video, Katie Ray shares her experience of living and working in rural Aotearoa — from the professional opportunities to the lifestyle that comes with being part of a close-knit community.

For many clinicians, rural practice offers the chance to work across a wide scope of medicine, build meaningful relationships with patients, and enjoy a work–life balance that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Stories like Katie’s highlight the impact of supporting clinicians to bring their skills to rural communities across the motu — strengthening healthcare access where it’s needed most.

From the team at HTRHN and NZMedJobs we’d like to wish everyone a wonderful and safe Easter long weekend. Our office wil...
02/04/2026

From the team at HTRHN and NZMedJobs we’d like to wish everyone a wonderful and safe Easter long weekend. Our office will be closed between 3 April and 6 April, reopening on 7 April.
Enjoy the break and time with loved ones—Happy Easter!

Kaikōura Health (Te Hā o Te Ora) – Rural Care on the CoastOn the east coast of the South Island, Kaikōura Health (Te Hā ...
01/04/2026

Kaikōura Health (Te Hā o Te Ora) – Rural Care on the Coast

On the east coast of the South Island, Kaikōura Health (Te Hā o Te Ora) delivers essential healthcare services to a small, close-knit community shaped by its remote location and strong sense of identity. Here, rural healthcare is defined by adaptability, collaboration, and a broad scope of practice.

Clinicians in Kaikōura work across the full spectrum of care, often managing everything from routine general practice to urgent and emergency presentations. The realities of distance and access mean that care must be responsive, resourceful, and deeply connected to the community it supports.

A placement in Kaikōura offers Rural WONCA 2026 ambassadors an immersive experience in rural medicine, where continuity of care and strong relationships are central to effective practice. It is an opportunity to see firsthand how healthcare systems adapt in geographically isolated settings, and how clinicians work together to meet the diverse needs of their population.

Beyond the clinical setting, Kaikōura offers a unique sense of place—where the connection between community, environment, and wellbeing is clearly visible.

As Angela Blunt shares,

“We’re excited to host an ambassador and share what rural healthcare looks like here in Kaikōura. It’s a place where you really see the breadth of general practice and the importance of being adaptable.”

“What makes this experience special is not just the clinical work, but the connection to community—you’re not just observing healthcare, you’re seeing how it fits into people’s lives.”

Hauora Hokianga – Community-Led Care in the Far NorthLocated in the Far North of Aotearoa New Zealand, Hauora Hokianga s...
01/04/2026

Hauora Hokianga – Community-Led Care in the Far North

Located in the Far North of Aotearoa New Zealand, Hauora Hokianga stands as a powerful example of kaupapa Māori healthcare in action. Serving a widely dispersed rural population, the organisation delivers integrated services that span primary care, public health, and hospital-level support—grounded in a deep connection to community and place.

Care in Hokianga is shaped not just by clinical need, but by the values, aspirations, and lived realities of the people it serves. This approach places whānau at the centre, ensuring that healthcare is not only accessible, but culturally meaningful and responsive. The result is a model of care that prioritises long-term wellbeing, equity, and trust.

For Rural WONCA 2026 ambassadors, a placement in Hokianga offers a unique opportunity to step into a system where community leadership and cultural identity are central to how care is designed and delivered. It provides insight into what it means to work in a rural environment where relationships are as important as resources, and where healthcare extends well beyond the walls of a clinic.

As Margareth Broodkoorn reflects, “We’re really looking forward to welcoming our ambassador into Hokianga. What we offer here is a truly community-led model of care—where relationships, trust, and understanding the needs of whānau sit at the heart of everything we do.”

“This is a chance to experience rural healthcare in a way that goes beyond the clinic—to see how services are shaped by community, culture, and connection.”

You may hear waiata sung during sessions or gatherings at Rural WONCA 2026.Waiata strengthen connection and often follow...
01/04/2026

You may hear waiata sung during sessions or gatherings at Rural WONCA 2026.

Waiata strengthen connection and often follow speeches or formal moments.

The Tātai Whetū app includes several waiata you can listen to and learn.

Download the free app and give it a go: https://zurl.co/0fH9r

Meet our Rural WONCA 2026 AmbassadorsWe’re proud to welcome Dr Dewanto Andoko (Indonesia) and Manuel Jacob (India) to Ao...
01/04/2026

Meet our Rural WONCA 2026 Ambassadors

We’re proud to welcome Dr Dewanto Andoko (Indonesia) and Manuel Jacob (India) to Aotearoa New Zealand as this year’s FLIGHT Grant recipients.

Ahead of the conference in Wellington, they’ll each undertake rural placements—Dewanto with Hauora Hokianga and Manuel with Kaikōura Health (Te Hā o Te Ora)—gaining first-hand insight into community-led, rural healthcare in action.

Both bring a shared passion for strengthening rural health systems, improving access, and driving innovation in underserved communities across the globe.

From the Far North to the South Island, their journey is just beginning.

Read more about their stories: https://zurl.co/OrULg

After a full day of thinking, learning and connecting, there’s only one way to wind down — together.😄 Swap stories from ...
31/03/2026

After a full day of thinking, learning and connecting, there’s only one way to wind down — together.

😄 Swap stories from the day
👏 Toast the incredible work of your rural community
💃 And dance till midnight (or close enough!)

It’s going to be a memorable night — one you won’t want to miss. Tākina’s Executive Chef, Ilavarasu Rajendran has pulled out all the stops!

So put on something a little special, bring your best dance moves, and join us for an evening that captures the spirit of Rural WONCA at its very best.

You can buy your ticket through the Conference Registration Link https://zurl.co/g2x6z

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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