Tēnā koutou katoa,

It is my great pleasure, as Chair of Hauora Taiwhenua, to welcome you to the National Rural Health Conference 2027, being held in Ōtautahi Christchurch from 29 April to 1 May 2027. 

This year is particularly special as we celebrate 35 years of the National Rural Health Conference and the people, ideas, relationships and mahi that have shaped rural health along the way. For three and a half decades, the conference has brought our rural health community together to connect, learn, challenge ideas and help shape the future of rural healthcare. 

Our theme for 2027 is Rural Health Equity through Empowering Primary Care Teams, guided by the whakataukī:

Registrations are now open, so I encourage you to make your plans and join us in Christchurch. And if you have a story, project, innovation, research or lived experience to share, our Call for Abstracts is closing soon, so get your abstract in now. As you develop your submission, consider how your work connects with our theme and sub-themes, from stronger rural primary care teams and community-led solutions, through to workforce, innovation and digital futures, and thriving rural people, places and communities. 

We’re also delighted to have Lucy O’Hagan as MC, helping guide us through what promises to be a fantastic few days of kōrero, learning, connection and celebration.

Whether you’ve been coming to the conference for many years or 2027 will be your first, I hope you’ll be part of this milestone gathering. Come and celebrate how far we’ve travelled, contribute to the conversations happening now, and help us imagine where rural health can go next.

Registrations are open, abstracts are closing soon, and our 35-year celebration is waiting.

Mauri ora, and I look forward to seeing you in Ōtautahi Christchurch in 2027.

Dr Fiona Bolden
Chair, Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network