Welcome to the September 2026 edition of Te Rerenga. This issue celebrates the people and teams behind local primary care, and shows how WBOPPHO’s services are responding to community needs through partnership, advocacy and everyday manaakitanga.
The edition leads with WBOPPHO Clinical Director Dr Claire Isham, who received the Community Service Medal from the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners earlier in August. We also share the news that BeingWell has been named a finalist for Best Mental Health Programme at the 2026 New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards | He Tohu Mauri Ora, with winners to be announced on 17 October. You will read as well how demand for School Based Health Services keeps rising, with 1,926 students seen so far in 2026.
The issue also covers advocacy that made a difference, including WBOPPHO’s submission that helped shape wider, fairer access to type 2 diabetes medicines from 1 September 2026. It introduces new kaimahi joining the team supporting our general practice network, and looks ahead to a new Provider Portal coming soon. Worth reading too is the steady progress in childhood immunisation and our continued commitment to equity following the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Act 2026.
Te Rerenga is WBOPPHO’s quarterly newsletter. It celebrates the work of our kaimahi, general practice, iwi partners and community services across the Bay of Plenty. It is a place to share learning, recognise contribution and reflect on what matters in primary care. Published quarterly, Te Rerenga brings together stories that reflect the heart of our health network.
