21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference, 10-13 April 2026: Read More – WONCA 2026 | Home
Te Whare Taumata o Ngā Tauira Taiwhenua O Aotearoa provide a diverse, representative voice for students interested in improving health and wellbeing outcomes for all rural communities.
Our aim is to promote rural health careers to tertiary and pre-tertiary students expressing an interest in studying towards a career in rural health.
Our work involves engaging with schools, tertiary education institutions, rural communities, Māori communities, and the rural health workforce, to form important relationships for the benefit of current and future tertiary students.
We advocate for rural students, particularly rural Māori students, to ensure tertiary institutions continue to utilise policies and entry pathways that produce an equitable health workforce for current and future rural communities.
You do not need to be from a rural community to assist us in our mahi within Hauora Taiwhenua, just passionate in providing equitable health outcomes to rural communities by inspiring the next generation of health professionals.
Four scholarships awarded per year, worth $5,000 per scholarship. At least one awarded student must be of Māori/Pasifika ethnicity.
Awarded to first year tertiary students studying medicine, nursing and allied health supporting living costs and study resources.
Nominations currently open: CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Two scholarships awarded per year, worth $5,000 per scholarship.
Awarded to any health students, to support a 12-week elective/studentship, and/or research placement within a rural community of the student’s choice (intended to help cover living expenses).
For more information and updates, like and follow us on our Social Media pages
I have been an active member and volunteer of Hauora Taiwhenua since I found out about the organisation.
Below is some of the work that I have done with Hauora Taiwhenua prior to my current role: • Rural school visits participant to the Hauraki and Coromandel (2023) • Pukekohe school careers volunteer (2023) • Rural school visits leader to Whangārei and Upper Northland (2024) • Fieldays volunteer (2024) • Optometry careers for rural students webinar co-host (2024)
Needless to say I’m hooked!
My goals as North Island RSV rep for 2025 are: • Promote the rural school visits initiative to more tertiary institutions that offer clinical programmes • Ensure that all RSV volunteers are confident and excited prior to departure • Provide support for RSV volunteers during and after the programme • Ensure that all equipment for the RSV trips have been purchased and organised for ease of use • Ensure that every RSV volunteer has a positive experience!
Looking forward to all of the great things SoRHA will achieve in 2025!
I’m Oli a final year medical student at Otago university. I’m privileged to be back on the board of SoRHA and looking forward to making a difference. I’m passionate about promoting health and reducing inequities in our vulnerable populations. Having completed the Rural Medical Immersion Programme last year on the West Coast I see a huge value in the mahi of rural health. And I think a career in health is a great prospect for our rangatahi and would encourage everyone to go for it.
Tēnā koutou ngā tauira o te hauora taiwhenua o Aotearoa,
E mihi ana ki a koutou, ngā kanohi hou, ngā ringa rau o āpōpō, e whakapau kaha ana ki te manaaki i ngā hapori maha o te motu. Ko koutou ngā kaiarataki mō ngā whānau e noho ana ki ngā rohe taiwhenua, e whai ana i te tika me te ora mō te katoa.
Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui i roto i ā koutou mahi ako me ngā mahi hauora. He mahi whakahirahira kei mua i a koutou, ā, kei konei mātou katoa hei tautoko i a koutou.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou mō tō koutou ngākau nui ki te mahi tahi, te mahi pono, me te mahi aroha mō ngā whānau me ngā hapori o Aotearoa.
Ko Angel Loren Harbers tōku ingoa, engari ka kīia hoki ahau ko Anahera Chan.
I was born in Caboolture, Australia, while my three younger sisters were born in Te Tai Tokerau, Aotearoa (New Zealand). E noho ana ahau ki Tāmaki Makaurau, engari ko Houhora tōku kainga.
Tēnei te taha o tōku koro
Ko Puhangatohora te maunga
Ko Tāheke te awa
Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua te waka
Ko Hokianga te moana
Ko Rāhiri te rangatira
Ko Ngāti Pākau te hapū
Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi
Tēnei te taha o tōku kuia
Ko Maunga Piko te maunga
Ko Kurahaupō te waka
Ko Pohurihanga te tangata
Ko Pārengarenga te wahapū
Ko Waitiki te awa
Ko Mareitu te urupā
Ko Te Hāpua te kāinga
Ko Te Hiku o Te Ika te marae
Ko Ngāti Kurī te iwi
I am currently in my fourth year of the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Auckland. I recently completed my Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours), focusing on Student Experiences of Rural Health Interprofessional Education Programmes: A Photovoice Study. In 2022, I published a paper examining the barriers to accessing diabetes eye screening in rural communities. I am now conducting research, supported by the Auckland Radiology Group, on the challenges of accessing radiological services in Hamilton and Whangārei.
In addition to my academic work, I am currently developing a healthcare start-up aimed at addressing barriers to accessing healthcare in rural areas. This initiative aligns closely with my passion for improving rural, Indigenous, and women’s health outcomes, which are deeply tied to systemic injustices and power imbalances.
I am incredibly excited about joining the SoRHA Exec Committee as Māori Co-chair. This role is an opportunity to advocate for culturally safe healthcare, elevate Māori voices, and help address the systemic inequities faced by rural communities. I look forward to working alongside a passionate team to create meaningful, community-driven solutions.
Ngā manaakitanga ngā mihi nui,
Angel Loren Harbers (Anahera Chan)
