Rural New Zealand Is Short 151 Doctors And Rural Health Is Missing From Election Debate

With just 4 days until Election Day, Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network is challenging political parties to explain why rural health has been almost entirely absent from the campaign, despite new survey data revealing significant workforce shortages and growing pressure on rural general practice across New Zealand.

The findings from our Rural General Practice Survey 2026 reveal a sector carrying growing workloads, expanding service expectations, persistent workforce shortages, ageing facilities and increasing reliance on short-term locums to keep communities safe.

The survey estimates rural New Zealand is effectively short of 151 GPs in rural general practices with almost half of them reporting at least one GP vacancy, creating a growing risk that where people live determines how readily they can access healthcare.

The release of the survey comes just weeks after Hauora Taiwhenua hosted a rural health political panel webinar.

Chief Executive Dr Grant Davidson said he was struck by how little attention political parties are paying to rural health.

“When you look at the challenges highlighted in this survey, it's difficult to understand why rural health hasn't featured more prominently in the election campaign.

Almost a million rural New Zealanders rely on rural health services, and so do countless other New Zealanders who holiday at our rural holiday spots and scenic areas. Yet political parties are asking for their votes without explaining how they’ll keep their local doctor’s door open.”

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“This survey shows a sector working incredibly hard to hold things together, but it also shows the cracks. Rural practices are expected to provide primary care, urgent care, emergency response, after-hours services, palliative care and workforce training, often with fewer staff and less infrastructure than their urban counterparts.”

The survey found rural practices remain under significant strain despite signs of adaptation and innovation and that:

• Nearly half (48%) have a GP vacancy.
• Workforce shortages have shown little improvement since 2024.
• 46% say their facilities are no longer fit for purpose.
• 90% are affected by major seasonal population surges.
• They continue to provide thousands of student placements and training opportunities.
• The overall "temperature" of rural general practice remains well below zero at -30.2, reflecting ongoing concerns about workforce sustainability and staff wellbeing.

Clinical Director Dr Rebekah Doran said the survey demonstrates that rural general practice is far more than a standard GP clinic.

“What stands out to me in this survey is that rural practices keep finding ways to make things work, despite vacancies, ageing facilities and growing demand. That's something to be proud of, but we shouldn't confuse resilience with sustainability.

Rural teams will always step up for their communities, but they can't keep absorbing more pressure indefinitely.”

While the survey identifies serious challenges, it also highlights encouraging signs. The number of Nurse Practitioners employed in responding rural practices has more than tripled since 2024, demonstrating the value of multidisciplinary models of care in strengthening rural services.

However, Hauora Taiwhenua says workforce innovation alone will not solve the problem.

“The message from rural health providers is clear,” said Dr Davidson. “We need targeted investment in the rural workforce, training, facilities and service models that recognise the realities of providing healthcare outside our major cities.”

Dr Davidson says the survey findings raise a straightforward question for political leaders: what is their plan for rural healthcare?

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