Press Release
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
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
The Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOP PHO) 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 … 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 (WBOP PHO) 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 … 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
The WBOP PHO Board thanks CEO Lindsey Webber for her six and a half years of dedicated leadership and service. Lindsey is now moving into a new chapter in her career, and we wish her every success. Since 2019, Lindsey has guided WBOP PHO through some of the most transformative years in New Zealand’s health … Read more
A new collaboration between BeingWell and ‘Here to help u’ is helping bridge the gap for people who need wellbeing support but aren’t currently connected to a general practice. The partnership means a Health Coach is now available two days a week to offer free support to anyone accessing ‘Here to help u’ services. “This … Read more
