21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference, 10-13 April 2026: Read More – WONCA 2026 | Home
Our CEO Dr Grant Davidson and Kaumātua & Board Member Peter Jackson recently presented to the Select Committee on the Pae Ora Amendment Bill, sharing the rural health perspective directly with the review panel.
If you weren’t able to join live, we’ve please find the link below so you can watch the highlights without going through the full recording.
Watch the presentation below:
We are proud to announce the appointment of Rebekah Doran (Becks) as our new Clinical Director Rural Health. Becks brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to rural communities, and a clear vision for equitable, locally led healthcare. Her leadership will help guide our strategic direction and strengthen the clinical voice at all levels of our work.
Becks is a respected clinical leader whose career has been defined by a strong commitment to rural health and equity across Aotearoa New Zealand. Originally trained in paediatrics in the UK, Becks transitioned to general practice after discovering her passion for holistic, community-based care. Since moving to New Zealand in 2006, she has worked extensively in rural settings, with additional experience in urban environments, always bringing strategic insight and compassionate leadership to the communities she serves.
Her New Zealand journey began in Raglan, where she spent a decade as a rural GP and practice owner, delivering comprehensive care including PRIME and rest home services. This formative experience cemented her dedication to addressing the unique challenges faced by rural populations and advocating for community-driven healthcare solutions.
Becks has held a range of senior leadership roles, including Medical Director at Pinnacle Ventures, Clinical Director at Northcare Medical Centres, and Clinical Advisor for Te Whatu Ora’s NPHS Care in the Community team. She currently serves as Clinical Advisor for Te Manawa Taki Living Well Commissioning and as GP and Clinical Lead at K’aute Pasifika Clinic in Hamilton, where she supports the development of culturally responsive integrated care through a Pasifika lens.
Known for her collaborative leadership style and systems thinking, Becks has been instrumental in advancing digital health innovation and integrated models of care. Her work has contributed to the successful implementation of the Health Care Home model and the adoption of digital platforms like Indici, helping to improve access, quality, and equity in primary care.
Outside of her professional life, Becks lives in the Waikato with her amazing husband and their three wonderful children. Her personal and professional journeys are deeply intertwined, and she remains steadfast in her mission to ensure that rural communities across Aotearoa receive high-quality, equitable healthcare.
The first Rural Caucus event is planned for 7th May 2024, with Hauora Taiwhenua Council members and Rural Communities Chapter members.
Mobile Health’s Surgical Unit will also be on the Parliament forecourt.
Te Whatu Ora & NGO rural hospitals workshop planned for March 1st, to workshop rural hospital sustainability.
NGO rural hospitals and general practices who provide medical services in their co-located Te Whatu Ora hospital have asked that the financial and clinical risks they face be addressed because their funding does not allow them to achieve pay parity for their clinical staff.
National Prime Commitee facilitating PRIME workshop on Thursday 4th April 2024 at the National Rural Health Conference, with review as key agenda item.
HNZ (& Te Aka Whai Ora) Mental Health and Addiction BIM: stocktake by service type, and geographic location completion date end of 2023 – yet to be released
HNZ has received our request for evaluation data on current relocation cost pilot and advice on their intention for the continuation of this beyond June 30, 2024.
Lobbying to support continuing NZRex training initiatives
Lobbied for educational incentive payments as an easy-win for Govt to support rural members of GP Team at reasonable cost – based on current Australian incentive models.
Contract has been renewed so the programme will continue for a further 12-month term till December 2024
See (18). Also promoting models of interdisciplinary training prototypes that recognize and reward training time of experienced rural staff in training and mentoring those coming into professions.