21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference, 10-13 April 2026: Read More – WONCA 2026 | Home
Our members come from all aspects of rural health and wellbeing professions including nursing, midwifery, allied health, general practice and rural hospital medicine. We work in rural hospitals, primary care, tertiary institutions, and professional Colleges and committed to undertaking research that will improve health outcomes for whānau and the communities we live and work with.
Our research and education advice will underpin and support the Hauora Taiwhenua Council, Board, and management team in setting our strategic direction and advocacy for equitable health outcomes across rural Aotearoa NZ.
We will work with rural communities and rural health and wellbeing groups to identify key research questions and find ways to provide well researched and uniquely rural solutions to them.
We are just as passionate about building the capacity and capability in those wanting to be involved in rural research and education, while striving to achieve equity for Māori in this field.
By collaborating across all Chapters, we will provide an evidence-based approach to developing a rural health and wellbeing strategy.
The Rural Health Research and Education Day was an opportunity to bring together like-minded individuals with a shared passion for advancing rural health and education in Aotearoa New Zealand. The day followed the overarching theme of ‘Building Capacity Through Research and Education: A Rural Focus,’ in which participants engaged in a day filled with insightful discussions, collaborative workshops, and inspiring presentations.
The first part of the day was a research workshop that delved into the power of rural research, emphasising its ability to shape rural communities, healthcare systems, and broader social determinants of health. Attendees had the opportunity to hear a panel featuring Jean Ross, Lynne Clay, Garry Nixon and Fiona Doolan-Noble, who spoke about their thoughts on the role of research in achieving positive change for rural communities. With a keen eye on the future, discussions centred on staying informed and prepared for potential changes, such as climate shifts and shifts in governmental policies, all while keeping the unique challenges and opportunities of rural life at the forefront.
An education workshop followed, where participants explored the dynamic landscape of rural education in Aotearoa, examining the intersections of politics, environment, and pedagogy. An education panel featuring Roger Strasser, Greville Wood, and Sue Adams looked at how future-focused education is facilitated given the number of continuums at play, with the three sharing their experiences and insights.
Overall, the day served as a catalyst for change. Through fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and embracing a future-focused mindset, attendees were empowered to actively contribute to a brighter future for rural communities through research and education.
This year also saw the Research & Education Chapter of Hauora Taiwhenua call for nominations and applications for the inaugural round of the Emerging Rural Researcher and Educator Awards. The awards recognise Hauora Taiwhenua members who are positively impacting rural communities, rural health systems and/or rural workforces.
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. Her dedication has led to impactful placements and community projects, nurturing graduates equipped for interprofessional teamwork and rural healthcare challenges.
Deborah Rhodes’s groundbreaking research on health and safety in the dairy industry saw her presented with the Emerging Rural Researcher Award. Her PhD work addresses critical gaps, using innovative methodologies to shed light on rural health challenges, aiming for tangible policy improvements and community resilience. Congratulations to both winners!
Deborah is in her last year of a full time PhD looking at employment relationships and health and safety for dairy farm workers. She is also a dairy farmer, owner and operator in Golden Bay, Tasman.
Leanne Ryan is Senior Lecturer in Nursing at the University of Waikato, Programme Coordinator for the Bachelor of Nursing and a doctoral candidate researching rural nursing and disaster response in Aotearoa New Zealand. With more than 30 years’ experience across clinical practice including primary care nursing, health workforce development and tertiary education, her work focuses on building fairer, more sustainable models of primary, community and rural care through research, teaching and cross-sector collaboration. She teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, supervises student research and partners with community stakeholders to translate evidence into practical solutions that support equitable, sustainable care responsive to place and people.
Veronique has a long professional history in the primary healthcare field, working as a nurse, researcher, project manager and now in health workforce development in New Zealand, along with a decade in the UK.
Veronique has contributed to governance on a number of committees over the years, both professionally and personally, including practice nursing, nursing research, small health sector charities, Toastmasters, school boards and sports committees.
Her research work included working as a research and post-doc research fellow with the Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Auckland, and providing oversight of the Research Office at the former Waikato DHB. Veronique’s other keen interests are in all facets of quality improvement and clinical governance.
She is a competitive masters rower.
Laura is an Emergency Medicine Specialist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago, Christchurch. She represents the Australian College for Emergency Medicine.
Ross is a Professor of Population Health at the University of Waikato. He has worked as a rural GP and hospital doctor before going into public health. He has 40 years’ experience of rural research and has served on the Boards of the NZIRH and the NZRGPN.
