Launching 28 June 2022
The New Zealand Rural General Practice Network is transitioning to a new collective organisation, Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network.
We’re uniting with our partners Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand, Rural Nurses New Zealand, New Zealand Rural Hospital Network and Students of Rural Health Aotearoa to become a new organisation representing the breadth of the rural health sector.
What can you expect from 1 July 2022?
Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network will be operating officially from Friday 1 July 2022.
From this date forward, all references to the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network will change to the name Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network.
This includes our email addresses, signage, business cards, letterheads and templates and so on.
We will also be launching our brand new Hauora Taiwhenua website on this date as well as new social media pages including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Why are we changing?
The Network developed the idea for Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network in collaboration with other rural health groups. This idea for a new organisation acknowledges the increasing priority of being a united and trusted voice for rural health.
As a connected and united organisation, we have a stronger voice to advocate for the health and wellbeing of all rural New Zealanders and shape a better future for rural health.
Who is Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network?
Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network is a collective organisation to advocate for the health and wellbeing of rural New Zealanders.
We represent the breadth of the rural health sector and rural communities through our nine Chapters.
Our Chapters
What is our purpose?
Our purpose is healthy and thriving rural communities.
We strive to:
- Be the trusted, united voice of rural health and wellbeing in New Zealand.
- Advocate for equitable access to Health and Disability Services for rural Māori and all rural New Zealanders.
- Promote a coordinated health and disability service for rural New Zealand.
- Advocate for training and education that results in a rural health workforce that is sufficient in size, proficient and competent.
- Provide support for the rural health workforce and their families.
- Promote research opportunities that positively influence rural health outcomes.
- Provide effective representation and leadership on rural health issues.
- Be aligned to the values and concepts of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
- Implement policies and practices that are inclusive of wider community, cultures and industries and acknowledge the unique place of Māori as tangata whenua.
What is our Governance structure?
Our skill-based board consists of the Chair and six people elected by Council and Te Rōpū Ārahi.
Te Rōpū Ārahi are our Tiriti partners at a governance level. They are a group of well-respected kaumātua who work alongside the board to ensure our work is aligned to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The Hauora Taiwhenua Council is made up of representatives selected and appointed by each Chapter.
What happens to the NZLocums & NZMedJobs recruitment service?
Our contract with the New Zealand Government to provide a rural support and recruitment service, which we do through our NZLocums & NZMedJobs team, will transfer to Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network and will continue to run as usual.
NZLocums & NZMedJobs
Our NZLocums & NZMedJobs team will continue to recruit national and international doctors, and Nurse Practitioners, for fixed-term and permanent roles in rural and urban general practices throughout New Zealand as part of Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network.
COVID-19 Support
Hauora Taiwhenua will also continue to provide support to rural general practices impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks, which we currently do through our Tautoko Rural initiative.
What about the Rural Health Careers Promotion Programme?
Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network will continue to run the Rural Health Careers Promotion Programme in collaboration with the Students of Rural Health Aotearoa chapter.
This programme, supported by the Ministry of Health, aims to promote rural health careers to all rural young people and inspire them to pursue careers in health.
What are your membership options?
Organisation membership
Our organisation membership has a tiered structure based on the size of your organisation.
Each tier allows your organisation a certain number of individual members as part of your organisation membership.
You also have the ability to add individual members to your organisation membership at an added cost.
Individual membership
Our individual membership includes the following options:
- Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, Locums, and Non-Medical health professionals
- Nurses, Allied Health, Midwives, and Administration
- Students & Volunteers
What happens to my membership if I am currently a member?
If you are already a member of RGPN or any of our partner networks, that’s great news. We’d love for you to become a member of Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network.
We’ll be in contact with you to discuss your membership in more detail and let you know what you need to do to secure your membership with Hauora Taiwhenua.
In the meantime we will keep you up to date through regular newsletters and communications about Hauora Taiwhenua in the lead up to our launch on 28 June 2022.
How do I become a member?
If you’re interested in becoming a member of Hauora Taiwhenua, please get in touch. Send us an email to communications@rgpn.org.nz.
When we launch, we’ll be in touch to let you know more about the registration process and our membership options.
What is the value in becoming a member of Hauora Taiwhenua?
Become part of a community
As a member of Hauora Taiwhenua, you will be part of a collective rural voice advocating for the health and wellbeing of rural New Zealanders.
By joining one or more of our 9 chapters, you become part of a community of like-minded individuals to be connected, supported and united.
Our organisation will be one where you feel comfortable, connected and represented.
Network with like-minded individuals
Through your chapter you can interact with members and contribute to the latest conversations taking place in your chapter forum.
Expand your knowledge and skills, and connect with your peers, by attending member events, webinars and conferences through your Chapter and as part of the wider Hauora Taiwhenua community.
Stay informed and share your ideas
Stay informed through our regular newsletter and news updates which you will receive directly in your inbox.
Share your ideas and learn from others through our Innovation Library.
Debate and discuss ideas and contribute to the latest conversations taking place in your chapter forums.
Collaborate with us in our partnership approach to drive change for rural Māori
We are taking a collaborative by Māori for Māori approach to understanding, supporting and improving Māori health outcomes.
We actively align our work to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – partnership, participation and protection.
Take part in our Mentorship programme
Learn from more experienced professionals by engaging in our Mentorship programme.
Become a Mentor to share your knowledge and wisdom with our future rural health professionals.
Access exclusive member discounts
Through our member app, you will have exclusive access to a range of discounts including discounts on technology, outdoors and home & living brands.
Members also have discounted registration to our annual National Rural Health Conference.
Advocate for change
Through your Chapter, you will be able to share your thoughts and support each other through the health reform changes ahead of us all.
Members will be able to contribute to our advocacy across issues that affect them or have an impact on the health and wellbeing of their own rural communities. This will include the points your Chapter want to bring to the attention of Government, Health NZ or other government agencies, Hauora Taiwhenua position papers, reports, submissions and consultations on health sector policies and legislation.
Have a question?
If you have a question we haven’t answered here, please send this to us at communications@rgpn.org.nz