Hugs and laughter all around at the National Rural Health Conference 2021 | New Zealand Doctor

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After nearly two years since the last conference in Blenheim, rural healthcare professionals were finally able to get together again for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 National Rural Health Conference was held at Wairakei Resort, just north of Taupō and about 400 people attended. Hugs, laughter, and lots of stories were shared. Speakers included health minister Andrew Little and associate health minister Peeni Henare as well as Martin Hefford of Tū Ora Compass Health PHO, who has been seconded to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Transition Unit.

Jacinta Sanders and Jenny Butt of NZLocums, Michelle Meenagh of Raglan Medical, Rumer Grace Archer, NZRGPN, Luke Baddington, NZLocums and Kristi Daniel of Raglan Medical

Noella Farrell and Sarah Walker of the University of Otago, and Michelle Smith of Central Otago Health Services and the University of Otago

Leigh Albert, University of Otago, Rose Gannaway, University of Auckland, Hineari Kahu, Students of Rural Health Aotearoa, Hugo Cordue, University of Otago

University of Otago students Kate Shoebridge, Georgia Mackenzie, and Bridget Greenway

Emma Dillon of Stoke Medical Centre, Nelson, and Deb Bailey-Lawson of West Coast DHB

Kris Gagliardi, St John, Emma Rawson Te Patu and Adrian Te Patu of Manu-Kahu Associates and Jordan Searle, Christchurch School of Medicine

Ivan and Leonie Howie of Aotea Health, Great Barrier Island, locum GP Martin and his wife Karol London

Judith and Stuart Gardiner, of Tokoroa Hospital, John Burton of Kawhia Health Centre

Lara Endersby, University of Otago, Rochelle Langton and Gareth Lockman from the Medical Protection Society

Catey Boyce, University of Otago, Alison Duncan, AstraZeneca, Jordan Searle, Christchurch School of Medicine

James Reid, NZRGPN, Luke Baddington, Jacinta Sanders, Jenny Butt of NZLocums

Waimate GP Sarah Creegan and New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa reporter Zahra Shahtahmasebi

Benjamin Booker, Whare Ambler and Ben Comery of Northland DHB

Scott Wilson, Canterbury DHB, Sarah Clarke, and Sarah Scott of Northland DHB

Nera Cameron, Rowena Millar, Hamish McPhail, Sue Stewart of Medical Financial Advisers

Lynne Hayman, RNZCGP, and Roger Strasser, University of Waikato

Tom Masters, Sara Samelu and Sarah Scott of Northland DHB

Dominique Chie and Ralston D'Souza, GPEP/Rural hospital medicine registrars

Marek Lang, Eastern Bays Health Centre, Chloe Horner, Dunstan Hospital and David Short, Greenwood Health

Theresa Fitzpatrick, University of Otago, Francis and Allie Bradley, Students of Rural Health Aotearoa, Carol Atmore, and Abigail Pidgen, both of the University of Otago

Grant Davidson, NZRGPN, Samantha Murton, RNZCGP, David Bratt, Ministry of Social Development, Carol Atmore, University of Otago

David Burton, The Doctors, Hastings and father John, of Kawhia Medical Centre

Natalia Sjardin, and Sam Spaven of Waikato DHB

Lynne Hayman, RNZCGP, and Marlborough GP Buzz Burrell

GP Kyle Eggleton of the University of Auckland, GP Tim Stokes of the University of Auckland and Grant Davidson of NZRGPN

Berni Marra of Ashburton Hospital and Health Services, Bill Eschenbach of Waitaha Primary Health and Marie Daly of NZRGPN

Locum rural GP Martin London and Fiona Bolden of NZRGPN

Fiona Bolden, NZRGPN, Fiona Cassie and Barbara Fountain, New Zealand Rata Aotearoa

Karol and Martin London, Sue and John Burton, Ivan and Leonie Howie

Stuart and Judith Gardiner of Tokoroa Hospital

Shannon Drought and Maria Alganion of Taranaki DHB

Nathan Wakefield of Northland DHB and David Burton of The Doctors Hastings

Tim Norman of Emergency Consult and Mustafa Alshaar of West Coast DHB

Sarah Walker of the University of Otago and Garry Nixon of Central Otago Health Services and University of Otago

Jack Haywood of West Coast DHB and Isobel Whitaker of Southern DHB

Fiona Bolden, chair of the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network, gives the conference opening address

Heimama Reihana-Tait, nurse director of primary healthcare at Mahitahi PHO tells attendees about the Mauri Ora Window

Marlborough GP Buzz Burrell puts a question to health minister Andrew Little

New Zealand Rural General Practice Network chief executive Grant Davidson at the National Rural Health Conference pōwhiri

Conference emcee Adrian Te Patu welcomes attendees to the conference

Health minister Andrew Little applauded the NZRGPN for taking steps to improve cultural capability

Martin Hefford

Margareth Broodkoorn, Hokianga Health chief executive is optimistic about changes proposed to the health system

Ōpōtiki GP Jo Scott-Jones talks about the joy of general practice

PechaKucha presentations - Sonya Smith, Mark Eager, John Robertson, Lisa Fitzgerald Dewolfe, Jackie Sartorius, Jo Scott-Jones, and Barbara Fountain

New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa editor Barbara Fountain gives an overview of the world of the New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa team

Northland GP Kyle Eggleton on improving the wellbeing of rural communities through renovating homesteads

Associate minister of health Peeni Henare says the vision for the Māori Health Authority is partnership, not segregation

Rural GP and leading rural health academic, now at the University of Waikato, Roger Strasser on reimagining primary health care in rural and underserved setting

New Zealand needs a new and different medical school, says rural health academic Sarah Strasser

Locum GP Rob Nash on his journey through addiction and recovery

Waimate GP Sarah Creegan discusses PRIME

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