Our WBOP PHO whakataukī–Māori proverb, described above, was gifted to us by respected rangatira Dr. Morehu Ngatoko Rahipere. Whakataukī are important in Māori culture, as they can be used for inspiration, motivation and everyday conversations.

Our PHO whakataukī is a reminder to our kaimahi, of the importance of considering new ways of thinking when embarking on new journeys. As we strive to attain knowledge and skills that will empower the health and well-being for our hapori (community), we should aim to be bold and courageous in our decision-making.

The roots of who we are and what we do, drew on the strength of this whakataukī, even before it was gifted to us, when the first iteration of the WBOP PHO–PrimeHealth Ltd was established on the 1st of June 1994 by two GPs from Ōtūmoetai Doctors general practice. Together, they decided there was a better way to deliver health care to their communities, and took an approach, which was innovative for the time, of contracting with various government funding entities and engaging local Iwi with their work.

During a meeting, between PrimeHealth Ltd and local Iwi, in the wharenui of Hairini Marae on the 16th of October 2003, the group took advantage of the changing health care landscape and grew into the new government PHO structure and became the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation.

Right from its initiation, the WBOP PHO with its GP and Iwi makeup differed from other PHOs being formed across Aotearoa. Against advice, where GPs were encouraged to give local Iwi an advisory role, founding member, John Gemming declared “if we are going to do this, we need to do it together”, and so we are, and remain, the only PHO which is governed fifty-fifty between GPs and local Iwi.

Twenty years on, the WBOP PHO continues to thrive, showcasing the same tenacity and foresight as its founders. Today, our current kaimahi and leaders are still driven by the strength of the whakataukī gifted to us all those years ago.