MEDIA RELEASE | 11 JUNE 2026

[HAWKE’S BAY ] – Following today’s Government announcement that the University of Waikato New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine will establish nationwide regional training networks, Hawkes Bay Iwi Māori Partnership Board Tihei Takitimu has confirmed a landmark partnership with the University to bring a state-of-the-art Community Clinical Learning Centre to the Hawke’s Bay rohe.

The initiative marks a massive structural shift for the region, moving beyond a standard medical training outpost to create a comprehensive, primary care academy. The centre will recruit and train local talent right here in the region.

Tihei Takitimu Co-Chair Kerri Nuku says an iwi-led framework is the key to creating an infrastructure that serves the entire Hawke’s Bay community, anchoring healthcare workforce development within a wider economic and productivity strategy.

“A healthy workforce is the backbone of a thriving regional economy,” says Ms. Nuku. “Recent data from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) highlighted the stark economic toll and lost productivity our region absorbs due to unaddressed, persistent health inequities and chronic conditions. By leading this initiative locally, we aren’t just training health professionals; we’re directly protecting and boosting the productivity, wealth, and resilience of the entire Hawke’s Bay economy.”

The centre will address severe primary care shortages by building an explicit “grow-our-own” pipeline. Rather than competing for external recruitment or relying on short-term locums, the community-based training model leverages local networks to vastly improve long-term retention. Data consistently demonstrates that health professionals trained in regional and community settings are significantly more likely to settle and practice in those communities long-term.

The iwi-led approach secures a robust “social licence” and unlocks unique opportunities for local co-investment, using regional land, facilities, and deep community networks to lower infrastructure costs and maximize clinical reach.

By integrating te ao Māori and tikanga into the core training framework, the centre will build deeper community trust, eradicate historic barriers to healthcare, and deliver more holistic, whānau-centred primary care.

“The centre shifts primary healthcare training out of isolated hospital corridors and plants it firmly within our communities,” Ms. Nuku says.

“By combining the academic excellence of the University of Waikato with the local knowledge and infrastructure of our iwi and primary care partners, we are shaping an inclusive, sustainable health sector that protects the future of Hawke’s Bay.”

Detailed operational design and structural planning for the Hawke’s Bay Community Clinical Learning Centre will commence over the coming months in close collaboration with regional healthcare providers, local government, and iwi stakeholders.