PMAANZ eMatters Newsletter - March 2026
A word from our Secretary | Carol Neki
Kia ora koutou, it’s only been three months into the year, but it feels like six! I hope you are reviewing last year's goals, assessing your progress, identifying what's still pending, and planning new objectives for 2026. Last month, the executive team gathered at The Cause Collective in Tamaki Makaurau to discuss strategic goals and PMAANZ's sustainability. Many thanks to TCC for providing the space and supporting PMAANZ.
This edition of the PMAANZ e-Newsletter offers members a warm welcome to 2026 and highlights what’s ahead for the organisation and its branches. Readers can expect updates from the Executive on national advocacy and sector engagement, practical guidance for general practices, and details on support and funding for workforce growth. The newsletter also includes a preview of the upcoming conference, recognises new members, and provides information on compliance, professional development, resources for patient care, and opportunities for networking. There’s a strong focus on sharing experiences, celebrating achievements, and building connections across our community, with lighter features like book, movie, and recipe recommendations rounding out the issue.
A word from our Chair | Mary Morrissey
Kia ora PMAANZ Members
It’s hard to believe we’re already in March, it feels like the festive season was only last week. I hope you all managed to take a break and enjoy some downtime over December and January. I also want to send aroha to our members who were affected by the severe weather this summer.
PMAANZ continues to be invited into high‑level discussions and decision‑making forums across the sector. This reflects the trust and respect our organisation has built over many years. Our involvement ensures that the voices of practice managers and administrators are heard where it matters most, and that the realities of primary and allied care are represented in conversations shaping the future of healthcare in Aotearoa.
In my role as Chair, I sit on the General Practice New Zealand Board, the membership organisation representing around 80% of PHOs, and I am part of the General Practice Leaders Forum, alongside RNZCGP, Hauora Taiwhenua, GenPro, GPNZ and NZNO. A key focus for this collective is advocacy with Health NZ and the Minister.
During 2025, I contributed to two Health NZ Technical Advisory Groups: Capitation Reweighting and the Primary Health Target group, with the latter continuing into 2026. Over the past two years, PMAANZ has also been invited to participate in two ACC Primary Care External Reference Groups.
In addition, I attend monthly meetings with Collaborative Aotearoa, quarterly Health NZ Primary Sector meetings, and the RNZCGP/ACC Primary Care Sector Engagement Group. We are regularly approached to contribute to working groups on a wide range of topics. In February, for example, we met with Health Informatics New Zealand (HiNZ) to ensure PMAANZ perspectives are reflected in their Digital Strategy, and we were invited to join the Health NZ Cyber Awareness Working Group.
Alongside this advocacy work, the Executive has been focusing on strengthening PMAANZ’s financial sustainability. We have introduced advertising partnerships across the newsletter, website, and e‑blasts, and we now charge suppliers and businesses for webinars relevant to our members (with no charge for not‑for‑profit organisations). These initiatives help diversify our income, which currently relies heavily on membership and conference revenue.
Speaking of conference, planning is well underway for PMAANZ26, which will be held at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington from 17–19 September 2026. Jen will share more details soon, but please reach out if you have suggestions for speakers or workshop topics. This is your conference, and we want to ensure it reflects what matters most to our members.
Welcome to our new members!
Welcome to our new members!
December 2025
- Mel Allport - National
- Stephen McClymont - Waikato
- Sarah Carrier - Canterbury
January 2026
- Rhianna Thompson - Waikato
- Kerryn Borich - Auckland
- Jayde Clark - Wellington
- Melissa Michie - Wellington
- Samantha Spafford - National
- Frances Riley - Auckland
February 2026
- Aleea Devenport - Canterbury
- Maureen Vogt - Wellington
- Jane Ayling - Wellington
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
Children’s Act 2014 – RNZCGP interim guidance for General Practices on Police Vetting checks for children’s workers.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) is currently awaiting legal advice from the Ministry of Health to clarify how the definition of a worker under the Children’s Act 2014 applies to non-clinical roles in general practices, such as administrators, practice managers and receptionists.
While this advice is pending, the interim approach for the purposes of Foundation Standard certification is to:
- complete a Ministry of Justice criminal record check and
- complete an exemption form.
RNZCGP acknowledge the frustration of this additional step, however, it is intended to support practices to continue taking all reasonable steps to meet their safety checking obligations until there is greater clarity about who meets the legal definition of a children’s worker.
The College is checking in regularly with relevant agencies Practices will be advised of any decisions or developments as soon as these are confirmed.
Until otherwise advise, practices should continue to follow the current RNZCGP guidance for 15.1 Children's Act 2014.
Any further updates will also be published in the College’s Quality Pānui, emailed to subscribers every two months.
Please email quality@rnzcgp.org.nz if you would like to subscribe to the Quality Pānui or if you would like to korero (discuss) this issue with us.
Grow your workforce – funding to employ a Graduate RN
Funding for primary and community healthcare employers to recruit graduate registered nurses (RN) is still available through Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora!
Graduate RNs can bring fresh energy and ideas to your practice. If you haven’t applied before, this is a great opportunity to build your workforce while supporting graduate RNs into sustainable employment.
The programme provides funding ($15,000 for urban and $20,000 for rural) to support employers to recruit graduate RNs as they transition into practice, strengthening the primary and community healthcare workforce.
|
Hear from our nurse leaders |
|
|
“I’ve had many graduates in my teams, and I love the energy they bring. If you can provide an environment where a graduate can thrive, I highly recommend it. The opportunity can be a huge benefit for both the graduate and your medical practice.” Kimberly Phillips Clinical Lead Nurse, The Doctors QuayMed, Auckland |
|
|
|
|
|
“Graduates bring fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and adaptability. They are eager to learn, embrace new challenges, and adapt quickly.” Agustilia Rodrigues Learning and Development Manager - Clinical Heritage Life Care |
Deliver a Supported First Year of Practice (SFYP)
Nurse leaders are experts in their practice settings and understand what is required to support graduate RNs in their first year of practice. A Supported First Year of Practice (SFYP) is the recommended approach. This is a flexible research-based approach for Graduate RNs. It can be tailored to the graduate and the clinical practice setting.
To assist employers in planning and supporting graduate RNs, visit the website for practical guidance outlining what a SFYP looks like in primary and community settings, along with a simple transition plan template. These resources help graduate RNs safely transition into practice, access relevant professional development, and receive consistent mentorship and support throughout their first year, while also reflecting culturally safe practice and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.
Applying for employer funding
Firstly, complete the eligibility form to test your eligibility as an employer. Once you’re an approved employer you can apply for funding for each graduate RN you employ.
If you have previously participated in the initiative, we encourage you to consider taking on another graduate RN this year. You can go directly to the funding application using the link provided in your previous approval letter from Health NZ.
List a graduate registered nurse vacancy via Health NZ Careers
We want to help graduates connect with you!
To help graduate registered nurses (RNs) connect with primary and community healthcare employers – the following support is available.
Free vacancy listings: You can list your graduate RN roles on the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Careers website for free.
Contact graduateRN@tewhatuora.govt.nz for more information or visit Primary and Community Funding for Graduate RN Employment.
Once Health NZ has received all the information, we’ll publish your vacancy on the Health NZ Careers page within two business days and send you the live link. This service is intended for New Zealand trained graduate RN roles across primary and community healthcare providers
Graduate registered nurse website hub
Visit Graduate registered nurse web page
A great hub of information for nurses and employers and importantly, a centralised link to graduate vacancies nationwide.
Health NZ is funding up to 400 graduate RNs into primary and community healthcare. We encourage you to share this initiative widely among your healthcare colleagues!
Contact graduateRN@tewhatuora.govt.nz with any questions.
How to plan for your year of model of care review, change and challenge
The start of any year is a great opportunity to think intentionally about your general practice goals, aspirations, and priorities. This article has been written to help you navigate this process with clarity, structure, and purpose.
Step 1:
Reflect on 2025 — be critical, be kind, and be real.
Spend time as a general practice team thinking about the things you did in 2025 that you want to keep doing, the things that worked well, and the things that brought joy to the team. These are often small actions, activities, or ways of working, but they can have the biggest impact — especially on team culture.
Also reflect on the challenges. What kept you up at night? What wore you down day in and day out? What made you frustrated? What were the things that just didn’t flow?
This might include workforce pressures, access, costs, immunisation rates, diabetes care, managing patients waiting for secondary care — and the list may go on.
This list might feel heavy, and that is OK. Writing it down allows you to step back, reflect, and look at it through a fresh 2026 mindset. It also creates space to be open to new opportunities and different ways of managing these challenges.
Step 2:
Prioritise the two or three things you want to improve on for 2026. This will be hard. General practice teams have huge aspirations, and the desire to deliver the best possible care for patients is deeply vocational.
Be kind to yourselves during this process. Just because something doesn’t make the top two or three priorities does not mean it isn’t important. It simply means you are choosing to focus your energy. Real progress often comes from doing a small number of things well and with deep intent, rather than doing many things with a light touch.
Step 3:
Now think about the couple of things you are going to celebrate at the 2026 Christmas party. This framing creates a sense of celebration, but it also forces clarity around what success looks like.
For example, if your priority is achieving a fully staffed practice, think about what that means in terms of FTE. What does it mean in terms of patient access or service output? Be open to thinking differently about your care team composition to ensure you are not limiting opportunities to traditional models of care.
Step 4:
Goals require an action plan. Take those goals and start breaking them down into monthly or quarterly actions that will help you achieve them. Share this plan. Put it up in your office, in the staff room, and in other common areas.
Sharing intentions, goals, and actions does a couple of important things. It creates accountability and ensures these priorities stay visible. It also brings the team with you and enables them to lean in and be part of the change journey. This step is critical for sustaining change.
Step 5:
Celebration. Step five is all about celebrating your success. Reflect on what you learned during the change process and be proud of the progress made. This step is often overlooked as the busyness of practice life takes over. Be protective of this time and ensure you make space to reflect and celebrate.
Good luck on your journey. If you need help, reach out to the expert team at Collaborative Aotearoa.
CEO Collaborative Aotearoa
Jess Morgan-French
Helping patients manage pain
Pain is one of the most common reasons to present for medical care. This could be acute pain, needing short-term solutions and pain relief, or chronic pain needing a long-term therapeutic relationship with trials of different management approaches.
Chronic pain consultations can be complex for clinicians. Health information resources can reinforce ideas discussed in consultation, support patients to understand their condition and encourage self-management.
Trusted pain resources for patients.
Healthify provides free, New Zealand based pain information that practices can share with patients during and after appointments. These resources support patient understanding, reinforce advice given in the consultation, and encourage safe self-management between visits.
Designed for use in general practice.
Healthify pages are designed for everyday use in general practice. They can be printed, shared via patient portals or email, or accessed instantly using a QR code during the consultation.
Pain information available on Healthify:
- Understanding pain, including acute and chronic pain
- Describing and locating pain to support assessment and communication
- Specific sites of pain such as back, next, shoulder, chest, abdominal and breast pain
- Causes of pain, such as nerve pain, cancer pain, complex regional pain syndrome, phantom pain and pain after surgery
- Self-care and non-medicine pain management
- Physical activity and managing pain
- Pain support services
- Pain relief medicines for short term and chronic pain
View Healthify’s pain resources at www.healthify.nz/pain
Information for healthcare providers
In addition to patient resources, Healthify provides content for healthcare providers that brings together clinical guidelines, videos, resources and CPD.
Self-management tools and apps
Patients can also access free pain self-management tools such as the Pain Toolkit and Te Kete Haerenga, as well as independently reviewed pain management apps through the New Zealand Health App Library.
Encouraging patients to use Healthify’s reliable and trusted resources can help them to make informed choices that support their long-term health and wellbeing.
Have your say
We value the insight and experience of our readers and invite you to share what features and resources would be most useful for your patients. Please email your ideas to hello@healthify.nz.
Healthify He Puna Waiora – New Zealand’s trusted health information platform
Conference Update | Jen Kaponga
It’s hard to believe the holidays are already behind us and we’re fast‑tracking into a brand‑new year.
I hope you all managed to get a well-deserved break and time to relax and reconnect with your loved ones. Hubby and I along with our grandson were fortunate to get away in the caravan, lots of fishing before the weather went to custard.
My thoughts were also with those who were impacted by the recent severe weather events, including the significant flooding and landslides experienced in various areas.
I’m delighted to share that this year’s conference will be held at the iconic Michael Fowler Centre in Te Whanganui‑a‑Tara (Wellington) from 17–19 September 2026. Now is the perfect time to save the dates—we’ll be sharing more information soon, including details about early bird registration.
Set against Wellington’s vibrant waterfront, the Michael Fowler Centre provides an inspiring backdrop for two days of learning, collaboration, and professional growth.
I’m also pleased to introduce this year’s Conference Committee - Mark O’Connor, Terri Ross, Maisie Hall, and Rachel McCoy - who are already working hard behind the scenes to bring together an engaging programme, inspiring speakers, and interactive breakout sessions.
We look forward to sharing more as plans take shape and welcoming you to what promises to be a fantastic conference.
PMAANZ26 Call for Abstracts is OPEN
Have an idea, initiative, project, or insight that could shape the future of practice management, general practice, or allied care?
We’re inviting submissions across:
- Hauora Māori
- Pacific health
- Rural practice
- Workforce wellbeing
- Business sustainability & innovation
Whether your work is strategic, operational, or community‑driven — your voice belongs at PMAANZ26.
Head to our website for more information: https://www.pmaanz.org.nz/conference/abstracts
To get information on how to Submit your abstract.
Communication Update | Karen Greer
Tena koutou
The year has certainly started with a bang! I’ve recently stepped into the communications role, and you may have noticed a few emails coming through as a result. Hopefully there haven’t been too many double-ups from various providers.
You may have already attended some of our webinars this year, with more planned throughout the year. If there’s a topic you think our members would be interested in, please let me know. We’re also keen to get your feedback on webinar frequency — how many webinars are too many? We know everyone is busy, and we certainly don’t want to monopolise your time.
As some of you may already know, I will be standing down later this year. If you’re interested in coming on board or would simply like to know what it’s like to be part of the executive team, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or send an email. It’s a role I never thought I would take on, but it’s not as scary as it may seem. We’re a group of like-minded people who are keen to support our members, and the executive team is very supportive. As we often say to our staff, there’s no such thing as a wrong or silly question.
On a personal level, it’s been a busy time at home. I’ve been spending plenty of time in the garden, and our daughter has recently become engaged to her wonderful partner of nearly ten years — so there will be a wedding coming up soon. Yippee!
Toni and I are also heading down south for ten days to catch up with some lifelong friends, which is well overdue and very much looked forward to.
Other than that, it’s business as usual at work. I do hope you’re not all feeling too overworked — our industry isn’t always black and white, and there are often a few shades of grey along the way. I hope you all have a great few months ahead, and we look forward to seeing you on the webinars and hearing from you soon.
Until next time Karen Greer
Membership Update | Ruth Mansell
Gosh, we are already into the third month of the year. Where has the time gone?
Hopefully, being new to the Membership role, not too many of you have noticed a difference with the transition from Karen to me.
There seems to be so much going on in field of practice management, regardless of whether you are in general practice, allied health, rural or urban. Trying to keep all the balls in the area and appear sane is a real balancing act.
It has been really lovely to open the Membership tab and see the new members that have joined in the last few months.
Please remember to join the FB messenger app, and feel free to ask anything that you need. No question is a silly question, and this can sometimes prompt others to not feel as if they are doing this job on their own as it may be a question that they want to know also.
For me, being in general practice, the next month will see the Flu season take off and all the work that comes with that.
And so will begin the busyness for our nurses and GP’s.
Also, this year is Foundation for us and all the work that comes with that too!
For those in Allied Health this is quality assurance for general practice.
I have decided this year to think about succession planning and giving my Admin Manager more of a role of pulling all the information together ready for our assessment.
Please do try to make time for the webinars that Karen has organized in the coming months as there are some really good ones on the horizon and some nuggets of information to be gleaned.
Keep smiling
Ruth
Treasurer Update | Wendy Harris
I can hardly believe it is March already. I have been busy transitioning out of my role as Business Manager at Cambridge Medical Centre and handing over everything to the new Practice Manager Joleen Erasmus. It made me realise how difficult it is to document the life of a Practice Manager. There are many functional aspects that are easy to define such as completing the monthly financials or recruiting staff, but there are so many aspects that are hard to explain and even plan for. A large part of the role is people management and trouble shooting and that can be very hard to predict. The internet gave me some suggestions on how to define a practice manager which I think are spot on.
- The "Miracle Worker": Because "person who makes the impossible happen while everyone else complains about the printer" isn't a real job title.
- The Emotional Safety Valve: The person who listens to staff cries, calms angry patients, and tells the partners "no" for the fifth time today.
- The Professional Cat-Herder: Expertly coordinating a team of highly intelligent clinicians who, if left alone, would likely burn the building down or break the booking system.
- The "32nd of December" Planner: An expert in managing to fit a 30-hour workload into an 8-hour day, often while preparing for imaginary patient demand on days that don't exist.
In my PMAANZ treasurer role I have been working with the Executive on a Cyber Security Policy. With the most recent cyber-attacks on Manage my Health and Medimap it is becoming increasingly important for us to be vigilant in this area. This year we are also due to complete the biennial Remuneration Survey. We know this is a valuable document for many members and it helps them to have discussions with their Directors around appropriate remuneration for Practice Managers and Administration staff. We are currently reviewing our previous survey and welcome any suggestions for improvements. Please email these through to treasurer@pmaanz.org.nz
Wendy Harris
Treasurer
Auckland branch update
Happy New Year Auckland Branch Members!
What better way to close out 2025 than by coming together to celebrate as a branch! Our Auckland Christmas dinner was a wonderful evening filled with connection, laughter, and reflection on the year that was.
It was fantastic to see members reconnect, share experiences from across our practices, and enjoy some well-deserved festive cheer. These gatherings are such a valuable reminder of the strength of our network and the support we provide one another throughout the year.
A special thank you goes to Hendrix Health for generously sponsoring our drinks on the night, helping make the evening even more enjoyable for everyone.
We hope everyone enjoyed a restful and refreshing summer break and has returned ready to embrace 2026 with renewed energy. A new year always brings fresh ideas and opportunities, and we’re excited about what’s ahead.
Looking forward, we’re planning our next Breakfast Networking sessions for March and May (dates TBC), so keep an eye on your inbox for details. We’re also working on educational opportunities for the branch, with ideas underway to provide relevant and practical learning for our members.
Here’s to a positive and productive 2026 — we can’t wait to connect with you all again soon!
Ngā mihi nui,
Samantha
Auckland Branch Coordinator
What Will Rural Healthcare in Aotearoa Look Like in Five Years?
The answer isn’t being decided somewhere far removed from your community.
It’s being shaped right now by the practices that choose to be part of the national conversation.
The question is not whether change is coming.
The question is whether rural practices are helping to shape it.
When practices join Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network, their experience contributes to a coordinated national voice advocating for funding approaches that reflect rural delivery models, workforce strategies that strengthen recruitment and retention, sustainable after-hours planning, and investment in training pathways that grow local talent. This is constructive advocacy grounded in rural realities. It ensures rural perspectives are part of planning not considered afterwards.
What’s In It for Your Practice?
- Strong national advocacy for rural equity
Whether it’s funding models, rural workforce recruitment, training or retention, after-hours coverage, digital connectivity, or sustainable practice modelling, we act on your feedback and take your concerns directly to national decision-makers. - Connection with rural peers
You’ll be part of a community that understands the pressures unique to rural practice. Attend webinars, contribute to rural surveys and connect at our rural summits. - Advisory Service
Our Advisory Service provides operational, HR, governance, and compliance advice. This a free service to members. - Annual Rural Health Conference Discount
Members receive discounted registration for the 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference in Aotearoa. - Member-only savings
Access 14c per litre off fuel at Mobil and Allied Service Stations for organisational fleets — particularly valuable for rural providers who travel long distances for outreach, home visits, and satellite clinics. - Plus much more
When your practice joins, it strengthens a collective rural voice that is informed, consistent and forward-looking.
The future of rural healthcare in Aotearoa will be shaped by those who step into the conversation. With 2026 an election year, we are meeting regularly with politicians, hosting a dedicated political panel at our 2026 Rural WONCA conference, and preparing to hold government to account on the commitments made to rural communities at the last election.
If your practice isn’t already a member, now is the time to be part of Hauora Taiwhenua.
It takes just 60 seconds to join:
https://htrhn.org.nz/become-a-member/
Kia tipu matomato ngā hapori i Aotearoa
Healthy and thriving rural communities in Aotearoa New Zealand
Books / Movies / Shows - recommended by our members
The Housemaid series – Freida McFadden
An addictive psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist. I won’t go into any more details, but I read the 3 books over a couple of days, I had trouble putting them down. I enjoyed the movie but as usual they couldn’t fully portray the full character-driven suspense.
The Girl in the Mirror – Rose Carlyle
An edge-of-your-seat debut thriller with identical twins, a crazy inheritance and a boat full of secrets. Who can you trust? Absolutely nobody!
What I’ve been watching
Nothing like good old kiwi drama, this is on Netflix at the moment.
In rural New Zealand lies the picturesque but deadly town of Brokenwood, where a curious team of crime-busters work together to put killers behind bars...
The Lincoln Lawyer - Netflix
LA defense attorney Mickey Haller will do whatever it takes to win as he navigates the criminal justice system from his trademark Lincoln.
PMAANZ Partners
New Zealand Medical Indemnity Insurance
Practice with confidence, knowing we’ve got your back.
World-class indemnity insurance from Kiwis who go the extra mile to protect your wellbeing - click on the logo image to go to their website for more information.
Nitrogenx is your Healthcare Partner with 30+ years’ experience in delivery premium service & convenience. Our mission is to be your one stop shop. Our experienced team would love to speak to you about what we can do for your clinic – give us a call today!
0800 22 33 85 | www.nitrogenx.co.nz
Simplyfree MedTel - Specialised Medical Centre Phone Solutions
Unlimited lines, Wallboard and reporting, Remote working, Unlimited free support and Automated menus.
All available features free for life of client - click on their logo to go to their website for more information.
Become a Member!
If you would like to become a member of PMAANZ, you can complete our online application form. Sign up here!
PMAANZ Administrator
PO Box 92 004
Faringdon
Rolleston 7650>