NOW OPEN! Call for Abstracts for National Rural Health Conference 2027 – Click to Submit yours!
The 2026 General Election presents an important opportunity to put the health and wellbeing of rural communities firmly on the political agenda.
Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network’s Rural Health Election Manifesto sets out a number of key priorities and advocacy requests for the parties seeking to form the next Government. These priorities build directly on the themes and recommendations of the Aotearoa New Zealand Declaration on Rural Health 2026, developed through the 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference in Aotearoa earlier this year.
As a leading voice for rural health, we are calling on all political parties to recognise the unique challenges faced by rural communities and commit to practical action to improve rural health outcomes, strengthen the rural health workforce and ensure people living rurally have equitable access to care.
To bring these issues directly into the election conversation, Hauora Taiwhenua is hosting a Rural Health Election Panel on Monday 12 October, 6–7.30pm, bringing political representatives together to outline their priorities and respond to questions from the rural health sector and communities.
Explore our Rural Health Election Manifesto and register for the Election Panel below.
Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network is the collective voice of rural health in Aotearoa spanning general practice, rural hospitals, nursing, midwifery, allied health, research, students, communities and Whānau Whānui.
As New Zealand approaches the 2026 General Election, we call on all political parties to commit to the six priorities outlined in this manifesto. These commitments are drawn from the Aotearoa New Zealand Declaration on Rural Health 2026, which was developed through national and international collaboration at the 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference. They represent a direction that has been endorsed by Government and now require action, investment, and accountability to deliver better health outcomes for rural communities.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi underpins all six commitments. Rural Māori experience some of the poorest health outcomes in Aotearoa, and each commitment set out below must be delivered through genuine partnership with rural Māori communities, providers and iwi in a way that upholds Te Tiriti and advances equity.
What will the next Government do to improve health outcomes for people living in rural Aotearoa New Zealand?
Join us for a conversation with health representatives from political parties contesting the 2026 General Election, as they share their priorities for rural health and respond to the issues that matter most to rural communities.
Each representative will have the opportunity to outline their party’s vision for rural health, followed by a moderated discussion and questions from the audience.
Register to join the conversation: www.mhgo.nz/election
Act Party: Not Currently Released (08/09/2026)
Greens: Health Policy
Labour Party: Not Currently Released (08/09/2026)
National Party: Not Currently Released (08/09/2026)
New Zealand First: Not Currently Released (08/09/2026)
Opportunity: Healthy People
Te Pāti Māori: Not Currently Released (08/09/2026)
Six commitments every Political Party can make to rural New Zealand
Today, rural leaders, clinicians, policymakers, community organisations, and advocates came together at Parliament to share ideas, challenge thinking, and keep rural health firmly on the national agenda. From workforce and access challenges through to innovation, equity, and community-led solutions, the conversations throughout the day reflected both the realities facing rural communities and the determination to create positive change.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, supported, and helped make the day such a success. Together, we continue advocating for healthy and thriving rural communities across Aotearoa.
The Aotearoa New Zealand Declaration 2026 is grounded in the presentations of the 21st Rural WONCA Conference at Tākina, Wellington. It joins the lineage of international Rural WONCA declarations that come before, all committed to advancing equitable health care for rural communities worldwide.
This Declaration speaks directly to the lived realities of rural Aotearoa New Zealand. Rural communities, and rural Māori most significantly, experience compounding inequities shaped by rurality, deprivation, and the enduring impact of colonisation. These inequities have been reinforced by decades of health policy and funding decisions made without meaningful rural engagement. Collectively, these factors have created a persistent gap between policy intent and the realities of rural life. The result is health inequity that is serious, measurable, and preventable.
Read the Full Document here: https://htrhn.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Aotearoa-NZ-Declaration-on-Rural-Health-2026.pdf
How will future governments turn commitment into action for rural communities?
At Rural WONCA 2026, this cross-party political panel brings together leaders from across Aotearoa’s political spectrum to discuss how the Rural Health Strategy can be implemented to reduce inequities and improve outcomes for rural populations. This timely discussion will explore practical actions to strengthen rural health systems, support the workforce, and ensure equitable access to care — with a focus on accountability, collaboration, and long-term impact.
The Rural Health Roadshow Insights Report presents findings from visits to 13 rural locations across New Zealand in 2025. These events provided an opportunity to engage with rural communities, check what is working well and identify areas for improvement.
The report is structured into several sections: Introduction and context - describes the challenges rural communities are facing. How we are using the insights - describes how feedback informs planning, funding, and service improvements. Key themes - summarises issues raised by rural communities. What is working well - highlights positive examples of local healthcare. Work under way - lists initiatives addressing roadshow themes. Broader work - outlines national programmes that benefit rural communities. Appendix - provides a case study on cancer care improvements and use of rural health data. This report offers a comprehensive overview of rural health priorities and current initiatives. Insights from this report will be used to guide future health policy and delivery, ensuring that rural voices continue to shape health priorities in New Zealand.
Downloads https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2025-12/rural-health-roadshow-insights-report.pdf https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2025-12/rural-health-roadshow-insights-report.docx
