Rural health

In 2023, the Ministry of Health set the direction for improving the health and wellbeing of people in rural communities – for the next 10 years – through the Rural Health Strategy.

Go to the Rural Health Strategy on the Ministry of Health website

In response, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora established National and Regional rural health teams to address inequities. To contact our National team, please email: rural@tewhatuora.govt.nz

We’re also working across the system and gathering data to better understand current issues and develop evidence-informed future solutions.

Who we’re working with

We can’t deliver meaningful change alone.

We’ll partner with community organisations, iwi and hapū who continue to play a vital role in promoting and supporting wellbeing.

Our priorities

We want:

• rural communities to be a priority across the health system
• rural health services to be available closer to home
• rural people to be well supported to access health services, either through travel support or telehealth services
• a highly valued rural health workforce
• to focus on prevention for rural New Zealand.

Ensuring comprehensive, quality services for people living in rural areas is a priority for the Government.

Publicly funded health services are provided through districts (formerly district health boards, primary health organisations (PHOs), and through many rural hospitals throughout New Zealand.

• Mobile breast-screening services are provided throughout New Zealand, helping women to get screened and detect cancers early.
• Mobile oral health clinics provide primary oral health services and support centralised oral health services in many districts throughout New Zealand.
• Mobile surgical services provide elective day surgeries to many rural communities throughout New Zealand.
• Psychiatric outreach services and community psychiatric nurses are available in many districts, with Crisis Assessment and Treatment (CAT) teams available throughout the country.
• The National Travel Assistance scheme provides financial help towards the expenses of people travelling long distances to get specialist care.

• Well Child services provide free parenting advice and help families to monitor the development of their children.
• Primary maternity services are delivered in the community, supporting women and their families with pregnancy and childbirth.

• Healthline (0800 611 116) is a free service staffed by registered nurses, providing health advice for all New Zealand families, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Ka Ora (0800 252 672) is a free to call after-hours rural telehealth service that provides people in rural locations with a quick and easy way to connect with experienced health care professionals for after-hours medical advice and treatment. To book an appointment contact your rural GP, call 0800 KA ORA (0800 252 672), or visit kaora.co.nz.
• Kidshealth provides Plain English advice and information for children and teenagers, along with a wide range of resources to assist both children and parents.
• Let's Talk Teeth (0800 825 583) is a free service for 0-18 year-olds that provides basic oral health information and referrals to dental practitioners in their area.
• Plunketline (0800 933 922) provides free advice on parenting issues and child health and wellbeing to all families, whānau and caregivers, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Quitline (0800 778 778) offers free support, resources and low cost nicotine patches, gum and lozenges to New Zealand residents to help them quit smoking. The Quitline website provides similar information and resources. The website provides similar information and resources.
• Alcohol Drug Helpline (0800 787 787) provides free and confidential support for any person concerned about their own or another person's alcohol or drug use. The Alcohol Drug Association NZ websites (ADANZ and the Addictions Treatment Directory) provide information and a directory of support groups.