Whakatāne nurse practitioner Pareake “Pare” O’Brien has been named Nurse Practitioner of the Year at the New Zealand Primary Health Care Awards ceremony.

O’Brien, who works for Te Whare o Rehua, the medical subsidiary of Te Puna Ora Group in Whakatāne, was one of two finalists for the Boehringer Ingelheim Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award, announced on Saturday night

Te Whare o Rehua has paid tribute to O’Brien, saying she delivers exceptional, kaupapa Māori, whānau-centred care, breaking down barriers and improving access for rural and underserved communities.

“We are incredibly proud of Pareake (Pare) …  Beyond her clinical practice, her work mentoring and guiding nursing and nurse practitioner capability across the country has helped shape a highly skilled workforce that is also deeply connected to the communities it serves,” said chief executive Shelley Cunningham.

“Pare leads with integrity, humility and an unwavering commitment to whānau, our communities, and the nursing profession.”

O’Brien is also the recipient of the Dapaanz Excellence in Clinical Supervision Practice Award. This prestigious honour recognises her outstanding contribution to addiction practice and her unwavering commitment to strengthening the addiction workforce across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Cunningham said beyond her clinical expertise, O`Brien had championed initiatives such as the Te Teko Community Hub, improving access to integrated health and social services for rural Māori communities.

“Her advocacy ensures addiction recovery and health services reflect cultural identity, empower whānau, and build resilience.”

She has also previously received the Te Akenehi Hei Award, the highest honour presented by Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation. She received the award following in the footsteps of her late mother, Putiputi O’Brien.