Rural Health Roadshow Reaches Kaitaia: Ministers Hear Community’s Healthcare Needs

Kaitaia became the latest stop on the New Zealand Government’s nationwide rural health roadshow today, as Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson arrived to engage directly with frontline health professionals and local residents.

The visit is part of a broader initiative to strengthen rural health services and understand the unique challenges faced by New Zealand’s rural communities. Minister Doocey, who holds the Health portfolio responsibilities for Rural Health and Mental Health, emphasized that the roadshow is not just a policy presentation—but a listening tour grounded in real conversations with real people.

Hearing Rural Voices Firsthand

“This roadshow is about listening to the rural community,” said Minister Doocey. “It’s a chance for me to connect directly with the public and health professionals working on the frontline in rural areas to hear what’s working, where the gaps are, and how the Rural Health Strategy is being received on the ground.”

Kaitaia, located in the Far North, represents a vital region for assessing rural healthcare delivery. With limited access to urban medical facilities, towns like Kaitaia depend heavily on local services, many of which are under-resourced. Today’s visit allows the Government to receive unfiltered input from the people most affected by health inequities.

Minister Mark Patterson echoed this sentiment, saying, “I’m looking forward to meeting with people in Kaitaia and hearing firsthand about their experiences with healthcare in their community. It’s important we understand both the challenges and the opportunities so we can work together to improve access and outcomes in the rural setting.”

Roadshow So Far: Listening and Learning Across Aotearoa

Since launching the tour in Levin, the roadshow has travelled through several key rural hubs—including Wairoa, Wānaka, Oamaru, Gore, Hanmer Springs, and Tūrangi. At every stop, the ministers have met with healthcare workers, patients, iwi representatives, and local leaders to gather insights on service delivery gaps and innovative local solutions.

One standout moment in the tour’s journey so far came in Kaitaia itself earlier this year, with the successful completion of the first-ever total knee replacement surgery at Kaitaia Hospital in May—a milestone that has become symbolic of the Government’s efforts to bring advanced medical care closer to rural homes.

“This represented a major step forward in expanding advanced surgical care in the regions,” said Doocey.

Investing in Rural Health and Mental Health

The Government’s commitment to rural healthcare reform was underscored in Budget 2025, which allocated $164 million over four years to enhance urgent and after-hours care. This funding aims to ensure 98 percent of New Zealanders can access urgent care within a one-hour drive—a vital lifeline in geographically isolated communities.

Mental health support is also a central pillar of the Government’s rural health agenda. A new $3 million investment over four years has been earmarked to expand both primary and specialist mental health services specifically in rural settings.

Additionally, the Rural Wellbeing Fund—which supports local wellbeing initiatives, mental health outreach, and suicide prevention services—has been doubled to $4 million.

“Everyone in New Zealand deserves timely access to quality health care, no matter where they live,” Doocey said. “We are especially committed to improving health and mental health outcomes for the one in five New Zealanders living in rural areas.”

Strong Community Engagement Driving Policy

The Ministers praised the level of participation from rural residents at each event, highlighting the critical role that community feedback plays in shaping policy. These conversations are helping to refine the implementation of the Rural Health Strategy, ensuring that government reforms remain responsive to real-world needs.

“The level of engagement we’ve seen at each stop has been fantastic,” Doocey said. “This is about working together to deliver solutions, not dictating from Wellington. We’re committed to ensuring rural voices are heard at every stage.”

Patterson added, “Engagement like this is what makes government effective. When we listen, we learn—and when we learn, we legislate better.”

What’s Next for the Roadshow?

With more stops planned in coming months, the rural health roadshow will continue its journey across Aotearoa New Zealand, collecting stories and strategies from remote communities. The insights gathered will directly inform the next phase of the Rural Health Strategy and future budget allocations.

As the Government pushes forward with reforms in surgical access, mental health, and after-hours care, communities like Kaitaia stand to benefit most from these targeted investments and collaborative governance.