News & blogs

19 June 2026

PHO collaboration to deliver Regional Workforce Hub in Te Manawa Taki

Two Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) in Te Manawa Taki have been awarded the contract to deliver the Te Manawa Taki Workforce Hub. Funded by Health New Zealand, Pinnacle Midlands Health Network will hold the contract and co-lead the Hub with Te Puna Hauora Matua o Hauraki (Hauraki PHO). This model reflects a shared commitment to equity, co-governance and a focus on Māori and rural workforces. 

19 June 2026

PSAAP negotiations conclude, resulting in significant investment in general practice

Health New Zealand, PHOs, Contracted Providers, and Te Kāhui Hauora Māori are pleased to confirm that the PSAAP Heads of Agreement has now been endorsed in principle by all parties following sector consultation.

12 June 2026

Exciting news for primary care — NZGSM clinical placement regions announced

On Thursday 11 June, Ministers Simeon Brown and Matt Doocey confirmed the clinical placement regions for the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine (NZGSM), a significant milestone for primary care and the rural health workforce across Aotearoa. 

8 June 2026

Taupō practice embraces tikanga to strengthen care for whānau Māori

A Taupō general practice is helping lead the way in culturally confident care, becoming the first practice outside Pinnacle Midlands Health Network’s original pilot sites to fully adopt the PHO’s Tikanga in Practice resources and training.

6 May 2026

Credibility is built on relationships

Justin Butcher writes about what it actually takes to make progress in rural primary care, and why trust, experience and relationships are at the centre.

23 April 2026

Primary care needs more than a new story

Fresh thinking, new ideas and challenge can be healthy. But primary care is too important to be reduced to branding, slogans, or simplistic claims.

2 April 2026

Rising fuel costs adding to pressure in rural communities

6 March 2026

Digital primary care must be treated as critical infrastructure