Rural Health Roadshow Brings Vital Reforms and Funding to Heartland NZ

The initiative seeks to bridge longstanding disparities in access and quality of care between rural and urban New Zealand.

The Government’s commitment to transforming rural healthcare continues to gather momentum, with Associate Health Minister for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey, and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson, visiting Tūrangi as part of the ongoing Rural Health Roadshow. The initiative seeks to bridge longstanding disparities in access and quality of care between rural and urban New Zealand.

Listening to Rural Voices: Roadshow Hits the Road

Launched in Levin, the Rural Health Roadshow has taken Ministers Doocey and Patterson to a growing number of towns including Wairoa, Wānaka, Ōamaru, Gore, and Hanmer Springs. Now in Tūrangi, the Ministers are continuing to meet with health providers, community leaders, and residents to gather feedback on rural health services and the effectiveness of the Government’s Rural Health Strategy.

“The roadshow is about hearing directly from the people who live and work in our rural communities,” said Minister Doocey. “It’s an invaluable opportunity to understand what’s working well and what isn’t. We’re learning how the strategy plays out on the ground, not just on paper.”

Minister Patterson echoed the sentiment:

“Tūrangi offers a unique lens into rural healthcare. Firsthand experiences from residents help us identify gaps, challenges, and areas of opportunity. These insights are critical to shaping future policy.”

Tūrangi at the Forefront of Urgent Care Innovation

Tūrangi is one of six rural urgent care prototypes rolled out nationally this year under a new model designed to decentralise emergency care. The prototypes aim to deliver “fit-for-purpose, timely healthcare closer to home,” reducing the need for rural patients to travel long distances for treatment.

Each site is testing improvements such as:

• Improved access to diagnostics

• On-call pharmacy support

• Digital tools for remote consultations and clinical support

These practical innovations are designed to strengthen the rural health workforce and improve outcomes, especially in remote areas where traditional healthcare infrastructure is limited.

Major Budget Investment for Rural and Remote Communities

The roadshow complements significant Budget 2025 allocations, which direct $164 million over four years to expand and modernise urgent and after-hours care services throughout the country. A major focus of this investment is rural and remote communities, many of which have struggled with under-resourced facilities and staffing shortages.

“Budget 2025 delivered for Kiwis living in rural areas,” said Doocey. “Our funding ensures that 98% of New Zealanders will be within a one-hour drive of urgent or after-hours care services.”

For the Midland region, key investments include:

• A new 24/7 urgent care service in Tauranga, operational by mid-2026.

• Maintaining all existing urgent and after-hours services in the region.

• Extending after-hours coverage in Thames, Whakatāne, Tokoroa, Gisborne, Taupō, Te Kuiti, and Hāwera.

• Expanded support for over 70 rural and remote communities, including 24/7 on-call clinical services, diagnostics access, and urgent medicine availability.

A Broader Vision for Health and Mental Health Equity

The roadshow also reinforces the Government’s wider health policy vision, which includes addressing mental health inequities in rural areas—regions where access to psychological and psychiatric support is often severely limited. Minister Doocey, who also holds the Mental Health portfolio, noted the integrated approach:

“All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care. That includes physical and mental health. Our Government is working to ensure both are adequately supported—especially in rural communities where the need is often greatest.”

Roadshow Continues Through October

The Rural Health Roadshow is scheduled to run through October 2025, with additional stops planned across the North and South Islands. These engagements are expected to inform further reforms, legislative changes, and service rollouts as the Government looks to future-proof healthcare delivery for the one in five New Zealanders who live in rural areas.

The initiative reflects a critical shift in policymaking—from centralised assumptions to grassroots consultations, with the lived experience of rural New Zealanders guiding the path forward.