Click here to read the Aotearoa New Zealand Declaration on Rural Health 2026!
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.
There was a frost here in the North whilst I was at Fieldays, which would be the first in two years. Hopefully, this will kill a few bugs, but it is more likely to turn the pasture brown. Much of the pasture in Northland is Kikuyu, and it doesn’t really like frosts, or rather, it’s allergic to such conditions. It could create some problems in the spring if it doesn’t spring back into life early enough to meet on-farm feed demands through September and October. Nutrient availability will be a big factor.
This season across New Zealand has been one of the best that farmers have experienced, certainly in Northland, this is the case. Grass growth has been exceptional, and the dairy payout has been good, and then the Fonterra settlement and a return to farmers of their capital tied up in the company was welcomed. Beef prices have been the highest ever, led by the demand for protein, and the American cattle herd has been the lowest for 70 years. Currently, it looks like the beef demand will be good for at least two years. Seven weather events this year have placed pressure on farmers, Civil Defence, council staff, and other government agencies along the east coast of the North Island. Northlanders are familiar with these challenges, and their resilience remains a hallmark of the region. This month, two community dinners were well attended, with more than 120 people at Tangiteroria and over 90 registered for Broadwood. Located on the northern shores of the Hokianga, Broadwood is a more challenging area to farm.
There was a positive energy that hadn’t been noticed in a while with the attendees at Tangiteroria. It was a great family event.
Planning for a possible Foot and Mouth incursion in New Zealand is underway, but one of the standouts was the absence of a health team from the planning and exercises. Health had been contacted, but didn’t place the same urgency on the likely impact of such an incursion simply because they didn’t understand the ramifications. Gill has made contact with MPI, and a representative from Hauora Taiwhenua will be at the top table because the human aspect will have a longer tail than the animal issues. Foot and mouth would absolutely devastate the New Zealand economy for a considerable period. Thank you, Gill.
The National Fieldays was a hive of activity, and I certainly got a buzz out of it. A record number of visitors through the hub was the standout, followed by the acknowledgment of 10 years of Health activity at the Fieldays from the Fieldays management. Mark, Andrew and the rest of the team have shown huge commitment over that time to get it to where it is today. It certainly has grown, and a huge change in attitude towards health in that time. My experience at the first event, the first mention of health and males sped up as they went past the entrance. Many came in to see us under duress, hauled in by their partners. It is great that rural males are now paying more attention to their health, which is a positive change.
An acknowledgement of our student team this year and their contribution to a great Fieldays.
A big thank you to Tim, with his Oral Health hat on, for making the trek from the deep south to come to the Fieldays. For us, with a major issue around Oral Health, particularly in the Far North Area, we made progress. The plan to utilise the army services was put to bed, and a new plan is being developed. This is promising.
The El Niño change could impact New Zealand farmers in the late spring. It could turn to dry conditions, which will impact all farmers. It will impact some food availability in urban centres.
The price of fuel has certainly impacted farm costs this season. For the first time, farmers have planned better before they jump in the Ute to come to town. Harvesting costs have risen appreciably. Hopefully, the drop in oil prices below $100.00 a barrel will begin to reduce on-farm costs. Food costs have risen across the board. I am noticing it at community dinners, with increasing costs and meat companies thinking twice before contributing. We relate this cost to the expense of putting food on families’ kitchen tables. Community dinner costs have risen more than 75% from this time a year ago. Much of the increase is due to the cost of meat and salad vegetables. We have recently offset some costs by switching to pork, which is a third of the price of beef. It does require more work, as the pork is cooked off-site and needs more precise preparation.
Looking at the cost and availability of fertiliser is another issue that, as long as the Strait of Hormuz blockage continues, the production loss across New Zealand will indirectly impact the availability of food and its price. Previously, farmers grew crops that suited the season; today, our population requires crops much of the year. This is done by adding nutrients to the soil, plus nitrogen, to grow almost year-round. Access to high-analysis fertilisers is essential. Often, high-analysis fertiliser is a byproduct of the oil industry.
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.
