We work with our members to identify priority needs in rural health and promote actions to be taken.
We support research in identifying key issues in rural health, develop knowledge about them and disseminate relevant information to those with an interest in rural health.
Our work involves promoting and encouraging the coordination of the training and education requirements of the rural health workforce.
We aim to provide feedback to government and local authorities on the health impact of policies and services in rural communities to ensure rural and locality proofing principles are applied and reported on.
Our goal is to provide effective representation and leadership on rural community health and wellbeing issues.
By collaborating with other groups, we will develop and strengthen strategic alliances with the potential to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.
Across the North Island it is starting to dry out. In fact, it has been faster than what had been expected. The water table has dropped below the level of the small race drains on the farm. It is expected that fences can be repaired with out post holes filling with water for the first time for about two years.
An update since the last report is that I had a few anxious moments on the 23rd of September. I am back walking around unaided and have been working full time since the 12th of October. Thank you to you all for your concerns.
I had some help from my brother and my nephew to cover the farm whilst I was out of action for almost a week. It seems my animals weren’t that happy with the helpers; they really only see me on a daily basis and don’t like people that they don’t know. Some of the younger stock made things difficult for my willing helpers. They were well looked after. They are now back to following me around with voice calls and calling out to me to hurray up, they want a new pick.
It was an interesting experience at Whangarei Hospital, and staff do work hard. The first day I did need some help and supervision, but after that some of the conditions were unnecessary. Most of the nursing staff just let me get on with what had to be done and the rules were ignored as they had so much work to do.
The team at On Farm Support and Rural Support Trust have been promulgating the idea that New Zealand could see some issues arising with the El Nino strengthening across the Pacific. Drought is a real possibility. The workshops and reminders have been useful. We are also suggesting that drought could be interspersed with floods and rural people need to be aware of the conditions. There is build up of moisture in the tropics at levels we haven’t seen before. It is possible for the build-up to overflow into the more temperate regions. This has been seen in other parts of the world already. Just watch for lows forming off Byron Bay, the convergence of the Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea.
Federated farmers have suggested to farmers that they shut up paddocks on the slightest improvement in grass growth to ensure that they have conserved feed on hand if indeed a drought or other feed restrictions appear.
In Northland rural people are used to adverse events and just seem to get on with it. It has been a great pleasure to work with so many of the Northland people following these events. Farmers are practical people; they are aware of the issues following events. Lack of money, time, manpower, people, supplies. I am aware of people still fixing repairs after Gabrielle.
The latest on Bird Flu in New Zealand is that we have only seen 3 cases of the highly pathogenetic (H5N1) influenza in New Zealand. The latest bird found was on the 23rd of August 2026. There have been zero detections in our commercial poultry to-date. Just a reminder to those concerned, the latest information is on the MPI web site.
The farmers in the south have had a serious weather event to contend with. Sheep farmers have had a worrying time with loss of new born’s due to the weather conditions.
The research indicated that the beef price will remain high for this season and into the next as the American farmers rebuild their herds. There has been a serious drop in beef cow numbers in the US to the lowest number since 1951. This has been caused by lingering drought, Urban Sprawl, increased on farm costs.
Increased on farm costs is something that New Zealand farmers are experiencing. Farmers are reporting to me that pricing is good, but farm margins are shrinking. The latest Federated Farmers profitability questionnaire would indicate, that approximately 20% of farmers could be experiencing loss. In Northland farmers have tightened their belts, and hearsay indicates it is happening elsewhere. A number of farmers that I know have reduced debt for their farming operations by using some of the Fonterra sale return to reduce exposure to their banks.
On farm productivity is possibly ahead of the rest of New Zealand. Farmers have invested in Halter type products which have improved their use of time. Halter allows for better use of feed and isn’t aligned to fences or their condition. It has cattle moving around the farm by phone direction. Cows can be on their way to the milking shed while the farmer is having his afternoon tea. It also assists with health monitoring, and this can be picked before any signs are physically detected. Automation of equipment, precision placement of fertiliser, measurement of harvest by square metre etc have had a huge influence on productivity. In many instances it has kept farming viable.
The next time I communicate the election will be over and hopefully we can get on with getting the country back to normal. Our local Regional Council have just regularised a practise that has cost the community a fortune, by approving a thirty hour working week but all staff retaining their 40-hour salary. It could be depressing.
Denise has an extensive background in education in the health sector. In recent years, she has developed a strong interest in digital technology, driven by her commitment to helping rural communities access healthcare regardless of distance, time, or cost. She is a member of the Rural Women (Greater Waikato) branch, the NZ Telehealth Group, and Hauora Taiwhenua.
Gill champions workforce development and through workforce, making a difference to the lives of whānau, families and communities in Aotearoa.
In her day job, Gill manages System Capability for National Emergency Management Agency, professionalising and building the emergency management workforce in Aotearoa.
Gill is a strong advocate for enhancing rural wellbeing and believes in whanaungatanga, building relationships and working collaboratively. Her approach is to build on strengths and share solutions. She brings extensive experience in fostering collaboration and partnerships between communities and elected stakeholders.
Mark is the Chief Executive of Mobile Health and with his team is responsible for providing elective day surgery via the Mobile Surgical Unit – Te Waka Hauora, running My Health Hub providing continuing professional development for health practitioners and operating the NZ Telehealth Resource Centre.
With a strong focus on providing health services to rural communities through his work, Mark is a strong advocate improving equity of access to healthcare for rural New Zealanders.
Mark brings to Rural Communities decades of expertise and understanding of how to achieve effective collaboration with entities such as Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health, Te Whatu Ora – Health NZ, and Primary Care Organisations.
Bill is currently the Chief Executive of Waitaha PHO. Prior to this role, he was a Client Manager with South Link Health where he was responsible for rolling out Primary Health Organisations in the upper South Island.
Having developed strong community linkages with a number of organisations including Territorial Local Authorities, Bill brings experience in forging partnerships which support the continuation of rural and remote rural primary care services through the developments of community networks.
Bill brings a strong business acumen and depth of experience to rural communities through strong stakeholder relationships with Canterbury District Health Board, Canterbury Alliance, Ministry of Health, New Zealand Rural General Practice Network, National Rural Health Advisory Group, St John Ambulance, Whanau Groups and most recently Hauora Taiwhenua.
I am Federated Farmers of New Zealand Northland President.
In this capacity I am a member of Federated Farmers National council to whom the board reports.
I work with 4 councils in the Northland region in my capacity as President and multiple government departments including Health, our regional health board, Ministry of Primary Industries, Ministry of Social Development and Education being the main agencies bringing attention to rural issues.
I am a member of the Northland Adverse Events team and respond to various adverse events in the region, north of the Harbour bridge.
I have worked closely with the regional Rural Support Trust and an active member of the collaboration team delivering community wellbeing dinners across the region North of the Harbour Bridge.
I am a passionate farmer and have a breeding herd of Blonde D Aquitaine beef animals.
Kia ora. Ko Rachel McAllum tōku ingoa, he Kaiarahi Whakaroto ki Pegasus Health.
For nearly six years, I have led the Provider Services team at Pegasus Health as Operations Manager. Having come from many years of managing two Ōtautahi general practices in Ōtautahi. I manage many service contracts and project initiatives that require a community focus and engagement. I manage our rural service contracts and have supported our rural practices during my years at Pegasus Health.
In addition to my role at Pegasus Health, I am also a contractor with the RNZCGP, supporting multiple working groups and assessing Foundation Standard and Cornerstone modules for many years and includes assessing the health centres in our 18 prisons across the motu.
With my years of general practice experience, I have seen many changes and enjoyed the improvements throughout the decades and the increased availability of services and healthcare for our communities and their whānau.
The current health sector challenges and access barriers remain, and I am mindful of the need for agile, creative, and collaborative approaches are crucial to effect meaningful change. Strong relationships with general practice, allied professionals and community providers across primary and secondary care are key to achieving these improvements and create a more effective healthcare system.
Ngā mihi, Rachel McAllum
Craig Young is the CEO of TUANZ, the Technology Users Association of New Zealand, an independent member-based organisation which educates and advocates for all users of technology and connectivity across New Zealand.
Craig has been involved in New Zealand’s technology and telecommunications industry since joining CLEAR Communications in 1999. In his previous role at Chorus, Craig led the multilateral engagement with industry stakeholders and customers. He was heavily involved in providing leadership in several industry sectors including Chorus’ rural broadband commitments and was responsible for the RBI Advisory Committee.
