A new weekend and public holiday after-hours healthcare service in Tairāwhiti will launch this Saturday (May 3, 2025).

Health New Zealand, in partnership with the Te Rōpū Matua collective through Ngāti Porou Oranga, has restored and expanded access to healthcare for the people of Tairāwhiti.

The service replaces previous arrangements between general practices and will be delivered from the clinic at Ngāti Porou Oranga, Puhi Kaiti Medical Centre.

The service will include:

  • A walk-in or phone-first service with access to a nurse, nurse practitioner, or doctor
  • A local nurse-led phone line operating during the same hours as the clinic
  • Health navigation services to help patients access the right care.

“We are thrilled to be working alongside a collective of highly experienced Hauora Māori providers to deliver increased access to healthcare in the area,” Health NZ Regional Director Planning and Funding Outcomes, Nicola Ehau, says.

“This new service not only restores access to weekend and public holiday healthcare to the community, it provides expanded opening hours.

“We expect this will reduce pressure on Gisborne Hospital’s ED so staff can focus on life-threatening conditions, and people with less urgent needs can receive care at this new service,” Ms Ehau says.

Te Rōpū Matua collective Chairperson, Rina Kerekere, says their dedicated team are focused on providing quality, timely care that is whānau-centred and aligned with the needs of their community.

The service will be rolled out in phases, beginning with weekends and public holidays, with weekday after-hours services to be added as workforce capacity increases.