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Overview

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora will consider applications for new Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) once a year through a consistent and transparent process.
While we are not actively seeking new PHOs, we will consider proposals from providers who can demonstrate they have the scale, capability and connections needed to deliver the requirements set out in the PHO Services Agreement.

The process

  • Contracts for new PHOs will start from 1 July of the following year from application date.

  • The latest application date each year will be 1 October (e.g. apply by 1 October 2025 for services to start 1 July 2026).

  • This allows any practice transitions to align with existing PHO agreement timeframes, and sufficient time for Health NZ to work with existing PHOs and the new PHO to agree the funding and contracting for population-based and other locally delivered services.

  • All providers who meet the criteria will be eligible; this is not a competitive tender.

  • Proposals must show scale (generally 100,000+ enrolled population) and capacity to meet PHO service expectations. 

Criteria

Applications will only be approved in if gains in heath outcomes or the health system are considered very likely.  Providers interested in becoming a PHO must be able to demonstrate: 

  • Capability to deliver all PHO service components from 1 July of the following calendar year

  • A proposed enrolled population of around 100,000 people  

  • A proven track record delivering general practice or similar services

  • Strong governance and management systems

  • A clear approach to meeting the goals and service expectations of PHOs. 

Geographic expansion for existing PHOs

This process does not apply to requests for geographical expansions. Existing PHOs that wish to operate outside their current geographic regions must continue to apply through the established geographic expansion process.

Find out more here:

PHO expansion decision making framework

National PHOs

Under the existing PHO services agreement, PHOs are allocated geographical areas aligned with past DHB districts.  

While the District Health Board structures were removed under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 (Act), the transitional provisions in Schedule 1 of the Act retain these geographical structures until such time as they are formally transitioned within a contract. 

Any new applications should indicate the proposed geographical areas (Districts) of operation.  The new PHO must have practices in place in each geographical area proposed.  

Approved PHOs enter into contracts with the relevant regional team or teams.

Key dates

Milestone Date
Applications due By 1 October
Evaluation Early November
Notification of outcome By end November
Contract negotiation January to February
Service delivery begins 1 July (following year)

How to apply

  1. Review the PHO Services Agreement and the related assessment framework to understand what’s required.

  2. Contact us to arrange a meeting if you’d like to discuss the application process.

  3. Submit your proposal to your Health NZ regional or national Planning and Funding contact by 1 October.

  4. Your proposal should include information about:
    - The population you intend to serve
    - The practices that intend to join your PHO
    - Your governance and service delivery model
    - Evidence of experience and capacity
    - Your approach to delivering equity and upholding the purpose of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act. 

Evaluation process

All proposals will be assessed by a national evaluation panel including clinical, regional and planning leads.

This is not a price based evaluation. Funding is set through the national PHO Services Agreement.

Questions?