ProCare

Ni sa bula vinaka – Fijian language week is here!

This year's theme, "Na noqu vosa me tekivu mai vale ka me'u na vosataka e na veisiga" (My language starts at home, and I need to speak it every day), highlights the important role families and everyday conversations play in keeping language and culture strong for future generations.

If you'd like to learn more about the Fijian language and culture, download ProCare's free Tala-Moana app. The app features seven Pacific languages, including Fijian, and is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

You can also find more information about Fijian Language Week on the Ministry for Pacific Peoples website: https://www.mpp.govt.nz/programmes-and-funding/pacific-languages/pacific-language-weeks/fijian-language-week/

When mental health education is embedded within communities, it can help normalise conversations, build understanding, and equip young people to seek support before challenges escalate.

Recently, one of our ProCare Network practices, Royal Oak Medical Centre, hosted a youth mental health forum in partnership with the Knights of Rizal Auckland Chapter and Auckland Catholic Filipino Chaplaincy Youth. The forum was developed after recognising a growing need for better mental health literacy and support within the community.

The strong engagement from young people and families throughout the event reflected the importance of creating spaces where these conversations can take place.

Speakers with expertise across a range of mental health disciplines explored topics including culture and identity, managing thoughts and emotions, disclosure, and the support services available to young people.

Congratulations to Dr Oliver Samin, Kookie Samin, the Royal Oak Medical Centre team, and all others involved. This highlights the important role general practices can play beyond healthcare, in connecting communities and creating opportunities for conversations that might not otherwise happen.

This week is Cyber Smart Week, a good reminder that cyber security doesn't have to be complicated. Small actions can make a big difference in protecting your personal and professional information online.

Simple steps like using a unique password for every account, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible, and keeping your cyber security knowledge up to date can help reduce the risk of cyber threats.

For practices in the ProCare Network, free Cyber Security training is available through the Members' Website to help your team build confidence and stay cyber aware.

Learn more about staying safe online at: https://www.ownyouronline.govt.nz/

Recently, some of the team from across the ProCare Group came together for our annual all staff briefing.

Bringing people together from across the organisation is an important opportunity to connect. Our CEO Bindi Norwell, alongside our Executive Leadership Team, updated on our strategy and performance, to celebrate success, and ensure we're all aligned on where we're heading and the impact we're working towards.

While many of our teams support primary care in different ways, we all share the same purpose: supporting and uplifting the health and wellbeing of the people of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Whether it's providing practice support, delivering programmes and services, enabling innovation, strengthening workforce capability, or supporting population health initiatives, it takes a whole organisation working together behind the scenes to deliver impact.

Know someone searching for a psychology internship placement for 2027? Our Fresh Minds whānau are currently recruiting Intern Psychologists across Clinical Psychology and Child & Family Psychology scopes, with applications closing in just two weeks. Share this opportunity with your networks and help us connect with the next generation of psychologists.

Are you looking for an internship that will give you meaningful clinical experience, strong support, and exposure to the realities of delivering mental health care in the community?

Fresh Minds is now recruiting Intern Psychologists for 2027 across the Clinical Psychology and Child & Family Psychology scopes.

Based at our Ellerslie Therapy Centre, you'll work alongside experienced psychologists, nurses and allied health professionals, supporting people across a range of ages, backgrounds and presenting needs. You'll receive dedicated supervision, peer review, professional development opportunities, and hands-on experience delivering evidence-based interventions in a primary mental health setting.

If you're passionate about making a difference and have been accepted into a university internship programme, we'd love to hear from you.

Applications close 16 October 2026.

Apply here ➡ https://www.procare.co.nz/careers/current-vacancies?ja-job=908785

Healthcare is not one-size-fits-all. Improving health equity means meeting people where they are, building trusted relationships, and delivering care in ways that are accessible, culturally responsive, and mana enhancing.

Earlier this month, we delivered our third Healthy Village Action Zone (HVAZ) Pacific community health event of 2026, held at the Fickling Convention Centre in partnership with The Fono.

Bringing together around 300 community members, the event provided free health screenings, education, advice, and support services. Collectively, more than 400 health checks and service engagements were delivered on the day, helping connect people with the care, information, and support they need.

HVAZ is delivered in partnership with Health New Zealand and works alongside 14 Pacific churches across central Auckland to strengthen health literacy, encourage early intervention, and support healthier outcomes for Pacific families and communities.

The continued success of HVAZ reflects the strength of community partnerships and a shared commitment to improving health outcomes for Pacific families and communities across Auckland.

Nurses play a vital role in delivering accessible, person-centred care and improving health outcomes for communities across Aotearoa.

If you're considering the next step in your nursing career, applications for the 2027 Nurse Practitioner practicum and funding close this Sunday, 27 September.

See the Nurse Practitioner Training Support Scheme's post below for more information.

The clock is ticking for applications to the 2027 cohort of the Nurse Practitioner practicum and funding.

If you're planning to apply, now is the time to get your application underway. Head to the Nurse Practitioner Training Support Scheme (NPTSS) website to access the application documents and guidance material.

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of the 2027 cohort.

We look forward to receiving your application!

The best insights into primary care come from the people delivering it every day.

Last week, Alister Lawrence, Chair of the ProCare Co-operative Board, and Joseph Dela Cruz, Business Improvement Specialist Lead, visited the team at Healthcare Roskill South, discussing the realities of running a small independent general practice and supporting the diverse needs of their community.

Pictured is Jo Armstrong, Dr Veronica Hagar, Alister Lawrence, and Dr Peter Botica.

Time spent listening to practices helps us better understand what's working, where pressures exist, and how we can provide the right support to help practices thrive now and into the future.

Thank you to the Healthcare Roskill South team for generously sharing your experiences and perspectives. We're looking forward to continuing these conversations with practices across our Network in the months ahead.

New Zealand has an opportunity to be a leading small nation in healthcare.

We know strong primary and community care delivers better outcomes for patients, improves access to care closer to home, and helps create a more sustainable health system for the future.

ProCare's 2026 Election Manifesto is focused on what it will take to build a health system that is proactive rather than reactive, one that prioritises prevention, early intervention, connected care, and long-term planning.

As highlighted by the NZ Herald, we're calling for greater coordination across the health system, investment in the workforce, better-connected technology, and a long-term national strategy that enables communities to thrive.

The challenge facing healthcare isn't unique to New Zealand, but we have an opportunity to lead by designing a system that keeps people well, supports equitable access, and makes the best use of our health workforce and resources.

The evidence is compelling: every $1 invested in primary care can save between $13 and $15 in hospital care.

Read more about our vision for the future of healthcare in New Zealand in the NZ Herald article below.

‘The fence at the top of the cliff’: The 5-point plan to ease hospital pressure - NZ Herald CHANGE