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Health Minister Andrew Little.
Health Minister Andrew Little has done an about turn and agreed to having a separate, legally-binding rural health strategy in the Pae Ora Health Futures legislation, which comes into effect in July.
Initially, a special strategy for rural was in the bill - along with strategies for Maori, Pacifica, women and people with disabilities. However, rural was taken out by the Labour Party majority on the select committee.
This led to a chorus of criticism to Labour's health reforms and the fact that 'rural' was not seen as a priority.
Critics said the new structure that is supposed to deliver better health outcomes for NZ wouldn't do this for people who live in rural regions.
Chair of the Rural General Practice Network, Dr Fiona Bolden strongly criticised the omission of 'rural' saying it was outrageous and left 750,000 people enrolled in rural practices out in the wilderness. National's health spokesperson, Dr Shane Reti opposed the move, as did Act's Brooke van Velden who proposed an amendment to the bill calling for the rural health strategy to be reinstated in the bill.
Little has now effectively rejected his own party's recommendations from the select committee and is now claiming Labour's 'rural caucus' convinced him to change his mind.
As the National Rural Health Conference 2024 approaches, Fiona Bolden, chair of Hauora Taiwhenua, and Grant Davidson, chief executive of Hauora Taiwhenua, talk about the conference's significance in addressing rural healthcare challenges.
With the beginning of the new year and the end of the government recess, Rural Health Network is calling on the coalition Government to keep its promises on investment into ailing rural general practices.
Horticulture NZ is scathing about the last gasp announcement by Labour to lift the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) by just 500 workers.
Another kick in the guts for rural nurses.
The Ministry of Health has recently released the Te Pae Tata/Interim Health Plan mapping out the health sector's work programme over the next two years.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
