Press Release

Western Bay of Plenty PHO is working closely with Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand to ensure any transitions of practices to other PHOs, including those currently affecting our region, are managed carefully with continuity of care at the core. We recognise that the primary care system is evolving, and support changes that genuinely … Read more

Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOP PHO) joins general practice New Zealand (GPNZ) in raising concern about the lack of real investment in primary care in Budget 2025. Despite ongoing calls from the sector, there is no meaningful uplift to address historic underfunding or support long-term sustainability. While the announcement stated a 7.4 … Read more

Last week, the Tāpiri Mai project took the stage at the International Conference on Integrated Care (ICIC25) in Lisbon, Portugal. The event gathered global leaders in health innovation and provided a platform to share and learn from integrated care models worldwide. Kiri Peita, Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOP PHO) General Manager: Māori, … Read more

Clarifying how flexi-funding and service contracts are used to support general practice, outreach, and equity-focused care. Recent public statements have suggested that Western Bay of Plenty PHO retains too much flexible funding and that these funds are not reaching frontline care. We want to share the details on how this funding works and how it … Read more

The recent media focus on PHO transitions in the Bay of Plenty risks missing the deeper issue at stake. This is not a dispute between PHOs, but a structural shift that appears to be driven by large corporates seeking to reshape the system in ways that serve their business models, not necessarily patient care. WBOP … Read more

Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOP PHO) is running free cervical screening clinics in community spaces across the region. These drop-in clinics are part of our ongoing effort to make cervical screening more accessible, more comfortable, and easier to fit into everyday life. If you’ve never been screened, are overdue, or are looking … Read more

WBOP PHO’s CPCT story featured in GPNZ national report on extended primary care teams A recent report from general practice New Zealand (GPNZ) shows how extended primary care teams are improving access to care across Aotearoa. The document gathers real-life stories and highlights the success of the Comprehensive Primary and Community Teams (CPCT) initiative, which … Read more

In response to a recently circulated report that questions the role and financial practices of Primary Health Organisations, Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOP PHO) wishes to address several misleading claims, while reaffirming our commitment to transparency, responsible resource management, and the health of our community. The independent document titled PHO Benchmark Comparison … Read more