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Rural communities experience specific health challenges. People living rurally can experience worse health outcomes and access to healthcare can be challenging. This is especially so for rural Māori and those living in remote communities. Rural communities are recognised as a priority population group for these reasons. 

The Rural Health National Clinical Network is dedicated to addressing these challenges and improving the care and outcomes for all those living in rural communities. Together, we can make a significant positive impact on rural health across Aotearoa.

We aim to:

  • develop national standards and models of care
  • identify ways to eliminate variation in equity, service access, quality and outcomes
  • develop innovative, efficient, and evidence-based solutions that will inform investment and workforce planning
  • develop and maintain systems to monitor progress towards goals and objectives.

Network members

Thank you to everyone who applied to join the Rural Health National Clinical Network.

More information on network members will be available here soon.

Strategic priorities

The Rural Health National Clinical Network will be guided by the five priorities of the Rural Health Strategy, which are:

  • considering rural community as a priority group
  • prevention, paving the path to a healthier future
  • services are available closer to home for rural communities
  • rural communities are supported to access services at a distance
  • a valued and flexible rural health workforce.

Meet our Co-leads

Neta Smith

Neta Smith

Neta Smith – (Maiden name – MuruPaenga) – Operations Manager, Kaitaia in Northland.

Ko Neta Smith toku ingoa

Ko Jesse Murupaenga toku Matua

Ko TePaia tai Puhi roa Maaka toku Whaea

No Ōturu / Muriwhenua ahau

Ko Ngāti Kurī, Te Aupōuri, NgāiTakoto, Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Rēhia, me Tainui oku iwi

Ko Pepeha toku kainga noho

No Oturu ahau

Ko Mamaru te waka

Ko Te Parata te tangata

Ko Maunga taniwha to maunga

Ko Rangaunu te awa

Ko Oturu te marae

Ko Te Mataara te Whare tupuna

Ko Ngati Kahu to iwi

Ko Ngai Tohianga te Hapu

No reira tena koutou katoa

My name is Neta Smith. I am a local Māori wahine having completed my primary and secondary schooling at Kaitaia. Currently the Operational Manager at Kaitaia Hospital and Service Manager for Mid and Far North Mental Health and Addiction Services. 

I am married to Greg Smith, and we have five tamariki and twelve mokopuna. I have lived in Kaitaia all my life only going away to complete my nursing training.  In my 43rd year of employment at Kaitaia Hospital I have a wide breath of knowledge and experience working in the health sector. I am passionate about our community and over the years have worked hard to retain and increase health services in the Far North. 

“Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi”

“With your food basket and my food basket, the people will prosper”

Dr Jo Scott-Jones

Dr Jo Scott-Jones

Dr Scott-Jones co-owns a rural general practice in Ōpōtiki where he has worked for over 30 years, he has been a leader in PHO and rural health organisations, the Rural General Practice Network, Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Royal New Zealand College of General Practice. He is currently a member of the WONCA (World Organisation of Family Doctors) Working Party on Rural Practice executive, and a WONCA Fellow, he is an active member of Hauora Taiwhenua, and RNZCGP Rural Chapter. He is the Clinical Director of Pinnacle and a member of the GPNZ Primary Care Clinical Leaders' Forum. He is an Honorary Associate Professor in Te Huataki Waiora School of Health, Waikato University.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the Rural Health National Clinical Network, please email ruralhealthnetwork@tewhatuora.govt.nz