Hauora Taiwhenua Wins 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference

Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network will host the 21st WONCA (World Organisation of Family Doctors) World Rural Health Conference in 2026.

The successful conference bid was led by Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network with support from its Te Tiriti partners Te Rōpū Ārahi. Effective advocacy from Business Events Wellington and Tourism New Zealand Business Events, and endorsement from the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, General Practice New Zealand, the College of Nurses Aotearoa, the Mayor of Wellington and government ministries, led to a winning proposal.

Toby Beaglehole, Chief Executive of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners said “That as full members of WONCA, we were very happy to endorse Hauora Taiwhenua’s bid to host the Rural WONCA 2026 Conference and believe that their dedication, expertise, and vision make them the ideal candidate for hosting this prestigious event here in Wellington.”

Hauora Taiwhenua's bid was chosen over strong international competition, thanks to its focus on indigenous health frameworks, community-led health initiatives, and New Zealand's demonstrated commitment to rural health equity.

Fiona Bolden, Chairperson of Hauora Taiwhenua, says: “Hosting Rural WONCA 2026 in Wellington provides an unparalleled platform to highlight the innovative and community-driven strategies we’ve developed to support rural and Indigenous health. We will be working closely with our rural Māori members and health colleagues to share our success stories and extend this opportunity to our rural health peers across the South Pacific and other first nations peoples around the world, to join these conversations and learning opportunities; it's about fostering global conversations that drive equity and inclusivity in healthcare systems worldwide.”

The relevance of this conference to New Zealand has never been greater, Bolden says, with increasing recognition of health disparities and the urgent need for culturally responsive care. The country's commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and the UN Sustainability Development Goals will provide robust conversations on shared learnings.

Wellington, New Zealand’s vibrant capital, was selected for its dynamic blend of cultural diversity, strong health sector partnerships, and its status as the political and healthcare hub of the country.

Professor Alan Bruce Chater, Chair, Rural Wonca (Wonca Working Party on Rural Practice) tells us that “Hosting the Rural Health Conference in New Zealand is a significant opportunity to enhance communication and networking among rural health professionals globally and importantly in New Zealand. With New Zealand coming into an election year and with Te Pae Rural Health Strategy in review the conference will be a valuable time to reset, foster collaborative thinking and share learnings”.

This is the first time the global rural health conference for family doctors has been hosted by New Zealand, and we are very proud to be able to provide this unbeatable opportunity to our rural health community. The Conference runs from 10-13 April 2026, at Tākina, Wellington, New Zealand.

© Scoop Media