Rural healthcare has unique challenges – mayors
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The health needs of rural communities must not be forgotten amid the latest healthcare sector changes, North Canterbury's mayors say.
Te Whatu Ora Health NZ recently announced the appointment of four regional deputy executive directors, including one based in Christchurch, in a move back towards regional decision making.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black and Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon have been calling for local accountability since district health boards were replaced by Health NZ two years ago.
Martin Keogh has been appointed deputy executive director for the South Island.
Black said while she welcomed some decision making closer to home, she questioned how much understanding there would be of rural community needs.
‘‘The South Island is a big area to cover with a lot of different issues and knowing what it is actually like to provide a service in Cheviot, for example, might be difficult,’’ Black said.
‘‘Attraction and retention of staff in a rural setting remains a challenge.
‘‘It is a fairly tiresome role in a rural district, because you are always on call, even when you are not.’’
Providing services to help older people in their homes is more challenging in a rural community, she said.
This is because home help services often become ‘‘fragmented and fragile’’ due to the distances involved, Black said.
‘‘We need to keep an eye on that and on providing care for end of life and respite care.’’
The use of Telehealth technology has been talked about in the media as it is increasingly used to cover for a lack medical professionals, particularly in rural areas.
The increased reliance on Telehealth might work for some people, but can be challenging for older people, Black said.
But rural communities had ‘‘magnificent’’ volunteers services such as St John and Meals on Wheels, she said.
Gordon said it had been difficult to get answers about health issues impacting on Waimakariri residents since district health boards were abolished.
Appointing a South Island-based director is ‘‘a great first step’’ towards local accountability, he said.
‘‘This is something I advocated for because I know that having a local voice close to the issues is vital for our communities.
‘‘The old DHB system was not ideal, but at least we knew who was accountable and who to call when issues arose.’’
Health NZ has been contacted for comment.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.2% Yes
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46.8% No
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
Turn Wallpaper Scraps into Beautiful Blossoms
These blossoms made from Resene wallpaper left over after decorating will mean your décor will be blooming gorgeous, no matter the season. Find out how to create your own wallpaper flowers with these easy step by step instructions.
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