Blog
Following months of negotiations and sector consultation, 86% of voting practices accepted a package that will deliver an additional $120.6 million to primary care and introduce a new capitation model. Te Whatu Ora Health NZ, Primary Health Organisations (PHOs), Contracted Providers and Te Kāhui Hauora Māori have confirmed today that the PSAAP Heads of Agreement … Read more
The first students from the new Graduate School of Medicine are expected in the rohe from 2029, following the success of a proposal from WBOP PHO, local iwi and regional partners. The Western Bay of Plenty has secured a place in The University of Waikato’s new Graduate School of Medicine programme, with medical students expected … Read more
Hon Matt Doocey met with WBOP PHO on 3 June to hear how a locally coordinated approach is transforming access to primary mental health support in the rohe During a visit to Tauranga on 3 June, Mental Health Minister and Associate Minister of Health Hon Matt Doocey met with frontline teams and service leaders to … Read more
Welcome to the March 2026 edition of Te Rerenga. This issue marks a new phase for WBOP PHO, with Sarah Stevenson confirmed as Chief Executive and the organisation settling into its new whare at The Kollective, on Seventeenth Avenue. Across this edition, we share stories that reflect strong local leadership, partnership and the role of … Read more
The Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOP PHO) Board confirmed the appointment of Sarah Stevenson as Chief Executive on 10 March. The decision was formally shared with staff during the organisation’s monthly hui. Sarah has served in the interim role over the past three months, guiding WBOP PHO through a period of change … Read more
From 23 February, WBOP PHO will operate from a new address at 145 Seventeenth Avenue, Tauranga, joining The Kollective, New Zealand’s largest co-working space dedicated to social impact. The move from 87 First Avenue, only a few minutes away, marks a new chapter and brings us closer to the organisations and communities we work with … Read more
A personal story of support through BeingWell, WBOP PHO’s free mental health and wellbeing service, and how it helped someone move forward. Stella was referred to BeingWell, WBOP PHO’s free mental health and wellbeing service, through her general practice team in June 2025. To protect her privacy, we are not using her real name and … Read more
One of the professionals supporting community mental health and wellbeing through our BeingWell service is called a Health Improvement Practitioner. It is a long name, so most people know them as HIPs. The role began in New Zealand in 2017 and is still new to many. In the Bay of Plenty, more people have become … Read more
This post is part of a short series sharing key stories from our Annual Report 2024–2025. During the last financial year, WBOP PHO has strengthened the Support to Screening Services across the Bay of Plenty, helping more eligible people access free breast and cervical screening. The service works with local and national partners (breast screening) … Read more
This post is part of a short series sharing key stories from our Annual Report 2024–2025. Last year marked two decades since WBOP PHO supported its first Kaupapa Māori programme, a pioneering initiative delivered by Te Puna i Rangiriri Trust that continues to thrive today. Designed to empower rangatahi Māori to realise their potential through … Read more
