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December 24, 2025
Urgent Call for Patient-Focused Direction in Primary Care
Waatea Team
Posted On December 24, 2025
General Practice New Zealand (GPNZ) says urgent action is needed to provide coherent, patient-focused direction for primary care as the approval of a third new Primary Health Organisation (PHO) risks disrupting local health services across Aotearoa.
GPNZ CEO Maura Thompson says Health New Zealand’s recent approval of a new PHO – sponsored by general practice owners’ membership body GenPro – highlights the prolonged lack of national guidance, rather than a clear plan for the optimal structure of primary care.
“After years of mixed messages and inaction, we had confirmation last month from the Health Minister that a strategy on the future of PHOs should be developed by the end of March,” Ms Thompson said. “In the meantime, general practice entities are establishing new PHOs as a mechanism for direct access to funding, but without the population health capabilities that communities need. These moves are far more likely to distract and destabilise than improve care for patients.”
The approval of a new PHO has already led a significant number of general practices to indicate plans to switch PHOs from 1 July 2026, threatening existing organisations and disrupting established local relationships.
Ms Thompson stressed that a collective focus on access, equity, and outcomes for whānau must underpin primary care developments planned for next year, as outlined by Health Minister Simeon Brown in his recent Letter of Expectations to Health New Zealand.
In response, GPNZ has sent a briefing paper to Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Health, detailing key elements it hopes to see implemented, including:
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Strong PHO and provider performance frameworks
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Development of district-level clinical alliances
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A future strategy for PHOs that ensures stability and integration with Te Whatu Ora
“A strong and accountable PHO function, working in partnership with Te Whatu Ora, is essential to a stable, integrated health system focused on what is best for people,” Ms Thompson said. “We need to move quickly from decisions made in a policy vacuum to a coherent national approach. GPNZ looks forward to urgent and meaningful engagement with the Ministry and Te Whatu Ora to shape the future of primary care.”
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