August 2026

‍

Today, Ngāti Porou Oranga hosted a constructive meeting with senior representatives from both the University of Otago and the University of Waikato to discuss the recent outcome of our application to become a Waikato Rural Medical Hub for the Tairāwhiti region.

‍

The meeting was attended by senior university leadership and clinical leaders from across the Tairāwhiti health system, reflecting the strong regional commitment to growing and sustaining the medical workforce in our communities.

‍

Te Tairāwhiti continues to experience significant health inequities, with these challenges compounded for whānau living in rural and geographically isolated communities. Distance, access to services and the ability to attract and retain health professionals all contribute to the realities of delivering care across the region.

‍

Building a sustainable workforce that understands our communities and can provide care closer to home is therefore an important part of improving health outcomes for whānau.

‍

Discussions explored two connected priorities: creating stronger local training and workforce pathways for people to train in Te Tairāwhiti, and strengthening the recruitment and retention of health professionals who choose to live and practise in the region.

‍

A positive outcome from the hui was a commitment to continue working together on a co-designed approach that considers the wider health workforce needs of Te Tairāwhiti, including opportunities to support medical graduates and other health professionals to train and practise locally.

‍

For Ngāti Porou Oranga, growing a sustainable health workforce is closely connected to improving outcomes for whānau and ensuring communities across Ngati Porou can access the care they need.

‍

Otago committed to increasing the number of final year medical student placement for Tairawhiti starting from the University of Otago.

‍

The hui brought together local knowledge, tertiary education and health expertise to look at practical ways to grow and strengthen the health workforce in our region.

‍

By working collectively, we can help build a health workforce that is trained here, connected here and committed to the whānau and communities it serves.

‍