Belinda Whitworth

In 2025, doctors Art Nahill and Glenn Colquhoun drove around the North Island, New Zealand to protest at the state of the health system.

We, in the Eastern Bay were fortunate to have been included in the tour and local experiences, ideas and opinions were expressed at the public meeting.

Now the Hikoi4Health “Vanbulance” with Art and Glenn are returning to launch their new book Rethinking Health: Lessons from the Hikoi 4 Health.

A public meeting is being held in Ōpōtiki on Thursday, September 24 at 12 noon at the Ōpōtiki Library.

In recent times, we in the Eastern Bay have experienced challenges in retaining hospital services including the closure of secondary maternity services for over 12 months, resulting in women and families having to travel to Tauranga, pressure on the emergency department and mental health services and ongoing delays in the establishment of the MRI service.

I encourage everyone who is interested in ensuring a viable and sustainable health service in our region, comes along to hear about the findings of the Hikoi4Health from the inspirational leaders Art and Glenn and the Hikoi4Health Team