National PRIME Committee

The first publication of the Revision of Rural Health New Zealand Snapshot in 2024 was carried out in a relatively short time period with major assistance from Otago and Auckland Universities. It represented the collation of various sources of key rural health research, along with the then recent establishment of the GCH which gave geo-spatial data upon which to filter health data. The resultant “Snapshot” has been widely utilised and valued by various groups, including Hauora Taiwhenua, advocating on behalf of rural communities for better resourcing of rural health initiatives in order to close health gaps between rural and urban populations.

One hundred years after its doors first opened, Te Kūiti Hospital remains a cornerstone of health and wellbeing for the King Country – a place where generations have been cared for, trained, and supported. The centenary celebration brought together community members, staff, leaders, and the Health Minister to honour a legacy built on service, resilience, and local innovation.

Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network strongly supports Labour’s proposal to provide no- or low-interest loans to General Practitioners (GPs) who want to buy into existing practices or establish new clinics. This initiative is a good step in helping retain a rural health workforce and ensuring a face-to-face service to primary care for rural New Zealanders.