Total boost of $175 million addresses a long-awaited investment in frontline care

Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOP PHO) unites its voice with general practice New Zealand (GPNZ) and other sector partners in welcoming today’s announcement of a boost to funding for general practice from 1 July 2025. The government release follows the conclusion of the 2025–2026 negotiations between Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand and primary care representatives.

WBOP PHO CEO Lindsey Webber says the funding package is a positive step after years of increasing demand on general practice without matching resourcing. “After an intense few weeks of negotiations, I welcome this long-awaited and much-needed investment in frontline care. General practice has carried growing expectations for years without the resourcing to match.”

“I am cautiously optimistic as we await further details, particularly around the performance measures tied to the new funding streams. We will continue to advocate for measures that are realistic, equitable, and designed in partnership with the sector to genuinely improve outcomes without adding undue burden,” said Webber.

The funding package includes a total boost of $175 million, according to the Minister of Health release, incorporating the $95 million ‘enhanced capitation’ investment announced in March. Here is how it breaks down:

• $59 million capitation increase for the number of patients enrolled with individual general practices
• $60 million for improved patient access to appointments, and to encourage practices to provide more data to enable more performance-based funding
• $30 million performance-based funding for improved immunisation outcomes, specifically ensuring more babies receive their first vaccine doses at the six-week milestone
• $26 million in additional funding to help GPs keep fees capped for Community Service Card holders and those on low incomes and to prevent fee increases for under-14s.

Advocacy impact

The 2025-2026 PSAAP (Primary Health Organisation Services Agreement Amendment Protocol) negotiations brought together multiple primary care sector representatives, including General Practice New Zealand (GPNZ), GenPro and Te Kāhui Hauora Māori, who worked with Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand to agree on this year’s funding uplift. As a PHO and Contracted Provider representative, WBOP PHO actively took part in the process, advocating for increased funding to flow through to frontline services.

“This announcement signals a positive shift in recognising the critical role general practice plays in the health system, and it is encouraging to see collaborative advocacy across primary care making some progress for the sector”, concluded Webber.