Supporting Our Primary and Community Health Workforce
At Hauraki PHO, we are committed to developing a skilled, sustainable, and future-ready primary and community health workforce. Through ongoing funding and development initiatives, we support kaimahi to access education, training, and professional development opportunities that build capability, strengthen local healthcare teams, and improve services for our hapori.
These programmes aim to empower kaimahi to grow their skills, explore meaningful career pathways, and contribute to resilient healthcare in rural and urban areas alike. Eligibility and application details vary depending on the specific initiative, but all opportunities share the goal of upskilling our workforce and supporting whānau wellbeing.
Te Ara Pūkenga
Recent workforce development activity
Workforce Highlights
It is rewarding to see the long-term impact of investing in our kaimahi. A great example of this is the journey of one of our kaiāwhina, Ree Clark (Waikato, Ngaati Whakaakia), who began her career with us in 2016 and is now in her fourth semester of the Bachelor of Nursing programme.
With our full support, she has been able to pursue her passion for health while continuing to serve her community. Her commitment to both study and practice has been exceptional, balancing academic requirements, group projects, clinical placements and exams with grace and determination.
A standout moment for her this year was her placement with the Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (ICAMHS). Initially outside her comfort zone, she embraced the opportunity fully, working alongside a multidisciplinary team supporting mothers with perinatal mental health needs and rangatahi in crisis. This experience opened her eyes to a potential career path she hadn’t previously considered.
Her journey is a testament to what’s possible when we believe in our people and back them with meaningful opportunities to grow. As she continues her studies and looks ahead to future placements, we’re proud to walk alongside her, building a workforce that is not only qualified, but deeply connected to the communities we serve.
Wānanga Highlights
We have facilitated a wide range of wānanga this year for workforce development. Some of the highlights include: Wānanga focusing on nursing practice, kaiawhina skill development, mental health, and tamariki. These wānanga fostered knowledge sharing and strengthened whakawhanaungatanga among participants who are working directly with whānau.
Overall, 85 kaimahi from the HPHO and the wider network attended, with presentations delivered by 25 facilitators. We also launched Te Manu Kai Matauranga wānanga series focussed on giving kaimahi a solid cultural competency foundation to work with. This year we chose to focus on Mihimihi & Pepeha, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Whare Tapa Wha. Check out some of the whakaahua from our wānanga
