Press Release
Dr Claire Isham, who also works as a specialist GP in Tauranga, received the honour from RNZCGP at a ceremony in Auckland on Saturday. Dr Claire Isham, WBOPPHO’s Clinical Director and specialist GP at Ngāti Kahu Hauora ki Tauranga, has been awarded the Community Service Medal by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners … Read more
The Bay of Plenty service is one of two finalists announced today for Best Mental Health Programme. Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOPPHO) 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 … 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 WBOPPHO, 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 to … Read more
Hon Matt Doocey met with WBOPPHO 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 learn … Read more
The Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOPPHO) 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 WBOPPHO through a period of change while continuing … Read more
From 23 February, WBOPPHO 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 every … Read more
The Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOPPHO) has published its Annual Report 2024–2025. The report shares a snapshot of how your local, GP and iwi-owned PHO supported our communities, general practice and partners. It also shows how our mahi focused on strengthening equity and improving access to care across the region. What you’ll … Read more
Tāpiri Mai, a project co-designed with the community to improve access to healthcare for whānau on Matakana and Mōtītī Islands in the Bay of Plenty, has entered a new phase focused on building health literacy. Following three years of work to strengthen infrastructure, systems for telehealth and expand access to services, locally delivered diabetes self-management … Read more
The Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOPPHO) Board has appointed Sarah Stevenson as interim Chief Executive Officer, with immediate effect. The Board made this decision at its meeting on 25 November 2025. The interim role gives the organisation clarity and stability as it works through changes in the primary care sector. The Board … Read more
Building on the successful full-day wānanga held in July 2025, Let’s Talk Screening is now accessible as a free online training. This resource supports non-clinical staff to engage in culturally safe and respectful conversations about breast, bowel and cervical screening with Māori and Pacific whānau. All training materials — including video modules, slide decks, handbooks … Read more
