Govt Announces Rural Training Hub to Strengthen Rural Health Workforce in Wairoa

The New Zealand Government has announced the establishment of a Rural Training Hub in the Wairoa District, aimed at expanding the rural health workforce and improving access to healthcare services in rural communities.

Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey said the initiative is part of the government's broader effort to strengthen frontline healthcare services for rural New Zealanders.

"This second Rural Training Hub shows the Government's commitment to fixing the basics and building the future for the one in five New Zealanders who live in rural communities," Doocey said.

"Kiwis should have access to timely, quality care, wherever they live."

Strengthening Rural Healthcare Access

Rural Training Hubs are designed to attract, train, and retain healthcare professionals in rural areas by creating structured pathways for education, training, and community integration.

The hubs will coordinate:

• Clinical placements for healthcare students

• Training pathways for rural health careers

• Pastoral and community support for health workers

The initiative is expected to support a wide range of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and allied health workers, making it easier for them to live, work, and train in rural communities.

"To bring healthcare closer to home, we also need to bring health worker education closer to home," Doocey said.

Second Hub in a National Rollout

The Wairoa hub will be the second of four Rural Training Hubs planned across New Zealand. The first hub was launched in South Taranaki, and additional locations will be announced as the programme expands.

Officials say the Wairoa hub will be co-designed with local communities, iwi, and healthcare providers, ensuring it reflects the specific needs and priorities of the region.

Supporting Health Workers to Settle in Rural Communities

A key focus of the programme is helping health professionals successfully settle into rural life.

Each hub will include dedicated coordinators who will assist healthcare workers and trainees with practical support, such as:

• Finding housing

• Connecting with local communities

• Helping partners or family members find employment

The goal is to strengthen community connections and improve long-term retention of healthcare professionals in rural areas.

"One of the ways we can lift barriers to getting frontline workers settled in our rural communities is ensuring people feel connected to where they live," Doocey said.

Dedicated Programme Leadership

Every Rural Training Hub will also have a programme lead responsible for building partnerships between local health services, universities, and training providers.

These leaders will help coordinate clinical placements, training programmes, and workforce development initiatives so that healthcare students and professionals can gain experience directly within rural communities.

Part of Broader Rural Workforce Strategy

The hubs are part of a wider government strategy to expand the rural healthcare workforce.

This includes initiatives such as:

• The new medical school at the University of Waikato

• The Rural Medical Immersion Programme, which places fifth-year medical students in rural GP practices

By combining education, training, and community support, the government aims to strengthen the long-term supply of healthcare professionals in rural areas.

"These hubs help ensure rural New Zealanders have access to timely, quality, and reliable care close to home," Doocey said.