The Bay of Plenty service is one of two finalists announced today for Best Mental Health Programme.
Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOP PHO) has been named a finalist in the 2026 New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards | He Tohu Mauri Ora for its BeingWell service. The Bay of Plenty programme is one of two finalists for Best Mental Health Programme in the Key Health Outcomes category. The winners will be announced on 17 October.
Kiri Peita, WBOP PHO General Manager Hauora Māori, Equity and Community Wellbeing, said the recognition highlighted both the impact of BeingWell and the collaborative approach behind its growth.
“Our Health Improvement Practitioners, Health Coaches, counselling coordination team, social workers, general practice teams and community partners work together every day to support and provide compassionate care to tangata whaiora and whānau. We are proud to see this locally developed, co-designed and integrated approach recognised nationally.”
The New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards | He Tohu Mauri Ora recognise excellence, innovation and collaboration across primary health care in Aotearoa. This year, 150 entries were received across 22 categories, with two finalists selected in each.
BeingWell grows reach and impact
BeingWell provides free mental health and wellbeing support through general practices, hauora providers and community settings. Health Improvement Practitioners and Health Coaches work alongside general practice teams, with counselling and social work support also available.
The service is available to more than 210,000 people through 34 general practices. In 2025, 8,820 people used BeingWell, resulting in 28,955 visits with Health Improvement Practitioners and Health Coaches. Since 2023, the number of people using the service has increased by 38% and visits have grown by 80%. More than 83% of people were seen within one week.
