Latest news with #RuralHealthStrategy
Scoop
21-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Delighted With The Announcement Of A Third Medical School At Waikato University Focussing On Rural Doctors
Hauora Taiwhenua is excited by the Prime Minister's long-awaited announcement of the support for a third medical school at Waikato University. It is well known that New Zealand is suffering from an acute shortage of family doctors, and that shortage is the most pronounced in rural areas. Going into the last election, the National Government had promised to fund a proposal from Waikato University that put forward a very different approach to the existing two Medical Schools at Auckland and Otago. The proposal was to offer opportunities to existing graduates and provide a significant part of the training in rural and regional New Zealand. The coalition Government had asked for a detailed business case before continuing that commitment. Cabinet has today given the green light, meaning that the Waikato proposal could show positive financial, as well as medical, outcomes for the country. Hauora Taiwhenua's CEO, Dr Grant Davidson, stated, 'We are thrilled that the Government has met its election promise to provide a rurally focussed medical training programme in New Zealand. This will complement the excellent training programmes already in operation at Auckland and Otago, while providing a graduate-entry option with strong community immersion. It will give hope to rural general practice that the continuance of a targeted workforce for rural communities is important to this Government.' The Waikato proposal follows well-proven design principles for rural medical training in both Australia and Canada. Clear research shows that rural-origin students who train in rural areas and are trained by rural health professionals are six times more likely to work in those rural areas post-graduation. While graduates from the Waikato programme will be able to follow any medical specialty, as is the case with graduates from Auckland and Otago, we hope that by having more exposure during the training to general practice, that a higher percentage of graduates will see the benefits of working in the community. Hauora Taiwhenua notes that a third medical school for the population of New Zealand is not unusual. Based on Australia, we would have between four to five medical schools for New Zealand's population of over five million people. This initiative will see an extra 120 doctors trained each year starting in 2028. This will add to the extra 100 medical training placements that the Government has supported into Otago and Auckland's programmes over its current term, along with the funding of 120 Nurse practitioners and support packages for rural practices to take on graduate nurses. Last week, representatives of the nine Chapters of Hauora Taiwhenua met with the coalition Government to get an update on progress towards the published Rural Health Strategy. In holding the Government to account, one of the pressing questions was why the commitment to the Waikato proposal was delayed. Minister Brown at the time told the group that a decision was pending. It is pleasing to see that the commitment has now been honoured. Dr Davidson added that he is encouraged that "Our collective efforts strive to empower our rural communities by ensuring they have access to high-quality healthcare services delivered by professionals who understand and are committed to rural values and needs has been heard."
NZ Herald
13-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Northland news in brief: Homicide investigation launched
Police were also seeking any CCTV along Mangakahia Rd, Otaika Valley Rd and State Highway 14 towards Whangārei. Police would particularly like any dashcam footage on the same route between 2pm-8pm. Anyone with information should make a report online, or call 105, quoting the reference number 250509/6749. Information could also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Reserve feedback Far North District Council wants feedback about Rangitoto Reserve, on the Hihi Peninsula in Doubtless Bay. Rangitoto Reserve was classified as a Historic Reserve in October 2024 to recognise its cultural and historical importance. The site includes an impressive pā with visible features such as terracing and kumara pits. The name comes from rangi, meaning 'day,' and toto, meaning 'blood' – understood to signify a 'day of blood.' It may have been the location of a battle, adding to its historic and cultural significance. The council is developing a Reserve Management Plan, with input from local hapū, to ensure it is protected. Council also wants to understand the natural environment and other values connected to the reserve. Submissions can be made via email at submissions@ in person at any FNDC service centre or library, or by mail, by June 2. Rural health roadshow Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey will be going to 12 rural locations across the country on a Rural Health Roadshow, including Kaitāia. The Rural Health Strategy was published in 2023 and sets the direction for improving the health of people who live in rural communities. Doocey says the rural health road show is an opportunity to hear from the public and those working in rural health about how well the strategy is being implemented. The roadshow will be in Kaitāia on August 7 and to register go to Māori-influenced playground Work is now under way on Te Amo Pūtoro, the first council-owned māra hūpara in the Far North, located at the Kerikeri Sports Complex. Rather than a traditional playground, Te Amo Pūtoro is a māra hūpara – a play space inspired by traditional Māori design using natural materials like logs, rocks and plants. It's a space for all ages to move, explore, and reconnect with te taiao (the natural world). Festival seeks bigger centre The country's premier kapa haka festival has grown so much, organisers have had to cancel plans for this year's event to be hosted in Nelson, and are now looking for a larger centre to take it on. The board of Te Matatini Society Incorporated decided on Friday not to hold the 2027 festival in Te Tauihu o te Waka-a-Māui (Nelson), tiamana (chairperson) Tā Herewini Parata saying it was no reflection on the city but a result of concerns over smaller regions' ability to accommodate burgeoning numbers of kaihaka and supporters. Unesco site call The Conservation Department is calling for suggestions of places that are worthy of being added to New Zealand's existing Unesco World Heritage sites. DoC's international manager, Danica Stent, said New Zealand had some of the most remarkable sites of natural and cultural heritage in the world, worthy of global recognition. Anyone interested in submitting a nomination should do so by July 31, allowing DoC to provide any advice needed to support development of applications. The final closing date for applications is January, 30, 2026. Visit DOC's website
NZ Herald
12-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Far North news in brief: Reserve feedback; rural roadshow and te reo champ
The Far North District Council wants feedback on Rangitoto Reserve, on the Hihi Peninsula in Doubtless Bay. Reserve feedback Far North District Council wants feedback about Rangitoto Reserve, on the Hihi Peninsula in Doubtless Bay. Rangitoto Reserve was classified as a historic reserve in October 2024 to recognise its cultural and historical importance. The site includes an impressive pā with visible features such as terracing and kūmara pits. The name comes from rangi, meaning 'day', and toto, meaning 'blood' – understood to signify a 'day of blood'. It may have been the location of a battle, adding to its historical and cultural significance. The council is developing a Reserve Management Plan, with input from local hapū, to ensure it is protected. The council also wants to understand the natural environment and other values connected to the reserve. Submissions can be made via email at submissions@ in person at any FNDC service centre or library, or by mail, by June 2. Rural roadshow Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey will be going to 12 rural locations across the country on a Rural Health Roadshow, including Kaitāia. The Rural Health Strategy was published in 2023 and sets the direction for improving the health of people who live in rural communities. The rural health road show is an opportunity for me to hear from the public and those working in rural health about how well the strategy is being implemented. The roadshow will be in Kaitāia on August 7. To register, go to Te reo champs wanted Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, the Māori Language Commission, is calling for nominations for Ngā Tohu Reo Māori 2025 – a celebration of those who are championing the normalisation and revitalisation of te reo Māori. Nominations are open until 11.59pm on June 29 and can be made via First-home buyers back CBRE valuers are reporting a steady lift in buyer activity across Northland, with first-home buyers and lifestyle seekers driving much of the momentum. The latest Residential Valuer Insights report shows improving sentiment across the region – particularly in coastal and lifestyle locations – and ongoing appeal for recently renovated properties. The quarterly report, which gathers sentiment from 44 CBRE valuers who collectively assess and value over 850 properties nationwide every month, provides an independent and data-driven view of the market. It found first-home buyers are active across Northland and other regional centres, helping lead market activity in 2025. Craig Russell, CBRE's national director of residential valuations and advisory services, said the presence of first-home buyers in nearly every market is one of the most encouraging signs for 2025. 'In Northland, we're seeing a healthy number of first-home buyers back in the market – part of a broader national trend that's seen around 25-27% of sales going to this group.'
