As a trained lawyer, Paul has done everything but practise law. He’s worked in government, managed and chaired community organisations and co-led a collaboration consulting firm. A career highlight was working for Lifehack – a systems-led intervention into youth mental health.
In all these roles, he saw that people often had trouble working well together. Now, he helps leaders create places where everyone feels included and can do their best work.
Paul recently recorded the last episode of his podcast Beyond Consultation and is now working on his next book Leading Questions. He writes a popular weekly newsletter and shares free resources at www.paulmcgregor.co.nz.
When Paul’s around, expect lots of curious questions, a few stories, a laugh and a smile – especially when the conversation is a difficult one.
Fiona is the Chair of Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network. Fiona has been a rural GP since 1996 and is currently based in the Coromandel, working in Whangamatā. She comes from Devon (UK) and trained at Bristol University, doing her general practice training in rural UK. In 2002 she emigrated to Aotearoa/New Zealand with her young family. Initially she was in Kawhia, a small settlement on the West Coast of the North Island and then she owned a practice in Whaingaroa/Raglan for 17 years.
She served on the NZRGPN (New Zealand Rural General Practice Network) Committee from 2010 and as Chair from 2019 until 2022 when the network formed one of the founding bodies for Hauora Taiwhenua (The Rural Health Network). She has been Chair of Hauora Taiwhenua since its inception.
Her focus is firmly on rural primary care, specifically general practice.
She would like to see equity in health outcomes for all people and sees relationships with rural communities as being a vital part of that.
Former TVNZ Sunday reporter and host of Survivor New Zealand, and Celebrity Treasure Island, Matt Chisholm is well-known to many Kiwis as an authentic, down-to-earth reporter. As someone who has spent 13 years telling other people’s stories, Matt is now sharing his own through his book, Imposter.
Growing up in Otago, Matt was the sensitive youngest child in a family of four boys, with a difficult home life in which high standards were paramount. After trying his first drink at fourteen, Matt found himself in a decades-long spiral of aimlessness and heavy drinking – despite the physical and mental toll the booze took on him. Behind the success of his career, Matt was barely coping, driving himself into the ground. One day something snapped. After admitting in a social media post that he was struggling with depression, Matt was shocked at the outpouring of public support. It would be the catalyst for him to face up to his unhappiness and change his life.
Matt started writing Imposter during the 2020 level 4 lockdown, soon after he had relocated down south to the small town of Omakau, located in North Otago. His book paints a picture of a smart and gregarious man marred by a difficult childhood, crippling perfectionism, problem drinking and, as the title suggests, imposter syndrome – the boy from small-town Central Otago, whose favourite hobby was tailing lambs, never felt he belonged in the world of TV.
Sophie enjoys a good night’s sleep, but sometimes she settles for less. Sophie is a rural GP and a member of the most successful adventure racing team ever recently winning the Yukon 1000 event.
Sophie believes many people are more capable than they think. She encourages trying new challenges, even if it means less sleep. With over 20 expedition races under her belt, she values a solid race and smart strategy over just winning.
Originally from Ōhope, Whakatāne, Sophie studied medicine in Dunedin and now lives in Marlborough. She works at Manu Ora, focusing on health equity for Māori. Sophie loves the diversity of General Practice. The best part of General Practice for me, is meeting so many different people, and getting to know them and their wider whānau. I really enjoy the diversity of what a day can bring; no two days ever being the same. I also really love following māmā through pregnancies and then meeting pēpi and watching them grow and develop.
Born and raised in Ōpōtiki, Carlton (Te Whakatōhea, Te Ūpokorehe) has overcome significant challenges during his schooling years, embarking on a career in paramedicine that led to his transition into health leadership.
Carlton recently served as Chief Clinical Officer – Allied Health at Te Aka Whai Ora Māori Health Authority, where he led impactful initiatives to address health inequities for Māori. Currently, he is the Director of Māori Health and Consumer at Te Tāhū Hauora, the Health Quality & Safety Commission New Zealand. He was also the inaugural Chair of Te Kaunihera Manapou, the Paramedic Council, demonstrating his dedication to advancing the paramedic profession in Aotearoa.
Carlton’s career has been defined by his dedication to improving health outcomes for Māori communities. He developed the Cultural Competency Framework for paramedics and designed innovative out-of-hospital referral pathways to improve outcomes for high-need patients and Māori. In recognition of these contributions, he was appointed a Member of the Order of St John by the Governor-General in 2011.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Carlton is deeply involved in community initiatives. He volunteers for the Ministry of Health’s Kia Ora Hauora programme, inspiring Māori youth to pursue careers in health. His commitment to fostering culturally safe workplaces and improving healthcare access has left a lasting impact on the communities he serves.
John is CEO of Spark Health – focused on supporting and spring boarding clinical digital innovation across the sector: connecting people and systems.
John has a broad background and many success stories leading change and transformation in the health sector. John has experience across the spectrum – Government, MoH/HFA NGO: leading one of New Zealand’s largest PHO over 5 DHBs with a massive rural/regional high need population; Clinical start-ups – Tend and Equine Health, and internationally in the UK, US and the Middle East. He has been responsible for major innovations introducing business, technology and clinical changes that have spread to national and international adoption.
John is also involved in governance roles across New Zealand and in a number of international settings across health, animal health, IT and education.
Rod is a distinguished healthcare professional and the newly elected President of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM). Based in Armidale, New South Wales, and has dedicated nearly two decades to serving rural and remote communities as a Rural Generalist. Rod’s journey in medicine began with a background in research science before he pursued medical studies at the University of Queensland. His career has been marked by a commitment to excellence in various medical fields, including anaesthetics, obstetrics, and emergency medicine. He has also been a Senior Lecturer in Rural Medicine and Critical Care at the University of New England’s School of Rural Medicine.
Throughout his career, Rod has been actively involved in numerous initiatives aimed at improving healthcare access and quality for rural populations. He co-founded Observa Care, a Remote Patient Monitoring service company, to address the unique health needs of rural and remote areas. His leadership roles extend to serving on various boards and committees, contributing to the development of medical curricula, and advocating for the recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine as a specialist field.
As President-Elect of ACRRM, Rod is committed to advancing the College’s mission of providing accessible, high-quality healthcare to rural and remote communities. His goals include supporting future Rural Generalists, raising awareness of the College’s value, and engaging with communities to educate them about the role of Rural Generalists.
The National Rural Health Conference Awards Dinner was held Friday, 5th April, at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. It was a memorable evening that brought networking, recognition, and celebration for those in attendance.
The event provided a perfect opportunity for attendees to connect with their fellow community advocates, practitioners, and supporters who share a passion for nurturing the health and well-being of rural communities. A nice meal was followed by a chorus of dancing with the live band, and many attendees made new friendships that extended beyond their professional capacity.
The awards ceremony was a highlight of the evening, and the prestigious Peter Snow Memorial Award was presented alongside three new awards, all of which recognised individuals’ contributions to our rural communities in some capacity.
Rhoena Davis has been recognised as the recipient for 2023, while Kyle Eggleton has been awarded the honour for 2024. Despite there being no Conference in 2023 following the disruption of COVID, the decision was made to honour the work of nominees during that time.
Kyle Eggleton was announced as the recipient of the 2024 Peter Snow Memorial Award, with his contributions reflecting a persistent commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for rural communities, embodying the spirit of service and leadership in the healthcare sector.
Sue Donalson received the Emerging Rural Educator Award for her work as leader of Te Hōtaka Mātauranga Whatu Ngaio o te Tai o Poutini, an innovative Interprofessional Education Programme in Greymouth developing graduates for rural healthcare challenges and interprofessional teamwork.
Deborah Rhodes’s groundbreaking research on health and safety in the dairy industry saw her presented with the Emerging Rural Researcher Award. Her innovative PhD work addresses rural health challenges for policy improvements and community resilience. Congratulations to both winners!
Lastly, Julia Cronin of Manatū Hauora was awarded the inaugural Te Waka Kotahitanga Award. Julia’s leadership, vision, and commitment helped steer and set the direction for rural health when working with the sector in writing the first-ever Rural Health Strategy, rising out of the Pae Ora Act. Rural health can only make progress if those of us delivering rural health are working in close alignment, paddling in the same direction, and Julia and her impact epitomises kotahitanga.
The event brought together like-hearted rural health visionaries, healthcare providers, and community advocates under one roof. These opportunities for connection and celebration were cherished, especially as they came only once a year. It was a time for like-minded individuals to connect and celebrate our community at its core.
