Peter exemplifies what rural health needs most: clinicians who go beyond their own practice to strengthen the entire system.

He has invested time, energy, and expertise to empower rural teams, improve patient safety, and reduce inequities.

His work is ethical, evidence-based, and deeply aligned with the Rural Health Strategy’s goals of bringing care closer to home and supporting a sustainable rural workforce.

Through his voluntary dedication – planning, traveling, setting up, teaching, and packing down – Peter has made an enduring, measurable difference to rural emergency care in Aotearoa, giving rural clinicians confidence, skills, and hope when facing high-stakes emergencies far from tertiary support.

This is service and innovation at its finest, and it deserves recognition.

As Workforce Lead Medical at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Julia Jones has played a pivotal role in shaping and strengthening Aotearoa’s health workforce, with a clear and enduring focus on improving access to care for rural communities.

With a career spanning the Ministry of Health and district health boards, Julia brings a deep understanding of system design, workforce development, and the relationships required to deliver meaningful, long-term change. Her work has supported key initiatives to grow the general practice workforce, create clearer pathways for international and locally trained doctors, and enhance training opportunities that connect clinicians more closely with community and primary care settings.

Julia is widely respected for her collaborative approach—bringing together agencies, professional bodies, and frontline providers to align efforts toward a more equitable health system. Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to continuity of care, workforce sustainability, and ensuring rural communities are not left behind.

The Te Waka Kotahitanga Award recognises outstanding contribution from within the system, and Julia’s work exemplifies the spirit of kotahitanga—unity of purpose. Through her influence, dedication, and ability to navigate complexity, she has helped steer meaningful progress for rural health in Aotearoa.

Tania Chamberlain exemplifies mana wāhine leadership—balancing operational discipline with aroha, strategic acumen with cultural grounding, and courage with humility.

She navigates reform without losing sight of whānau. She strengthens systems without compromising tikanga. She leads boldly while remaining deeply connected to community.

Her mahi is not simply about health services—it is about restoring trust, dignity, and opportunity in rural Aotearoa.

For her sustained impact, cultural integrity, and transformative leadership in rural health, Tania Chamberlain is a highly deserving recipient of the Women in Health Leadership – Rural Health Excellence Award.

Dr Stephen Ram is recognised as an emerging rural health researcher whose work demonstrates both academic excellence and real-world impact. As a clinician-researcher at the University of Waikato, his research bridges the gap between rural health theory and the lived experiences of rural communities.

His work is actively used to inform and advocate for improved rural health services, contributing to more equitable outcomes for the 20 percent of New Zealanders living outside major urban centres. His recent publication on the role of rural hospitals in community health represents a significant contribution to the field, highlighting the importance of these services from a community perspective.

Dr Ram’s work exemplifies the value of research that is grounded in practice, responsive to community need, and focused on strengthening rural health systems across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Katelyn Costello is recognised for her outstanding contribution to rural health education and workforce development in Aotearoa New Zealand. Currently undertaking her PhD within the Centre of Rural Health at the University of Otago, her research focuses on improving rural health workforce learning outcomes for medical students.

Her work draws on longitudinal data to identify factors that influence medical graduates to pursue rural careers, providing important evidence to inform national decision-making around medical school entry, rural placements, and training pathways. Early findings from this research have already been published and are contributing to a stronger, more targeted approach to building the rural workforce.

Katelyn is also progressing qualitative research exploring why doctors choose to work rurally, further strengthening understanding in this area. In addition to her academic work, she supports and mentors students undertaking rural health research, contributing to the development of future leaders in the field.