Kaitāia residents are struggling to find doctors due to a shortage of GPs. Many have to travel long distances, even to Auckland or Tokoroa, to see a physician. Local clinics stopped taking new patients years ago, leaving newcomers to remain with their doctors in other towns.
Tangipo Ryder, who moved back to Hihi near Kaitāia, has health issues that require regular check-ups. She has tried unsuccessfully to register with a Kaitāia clinic and is still seeing a doctor in Tokoroa, which is a seven-hour drive each way for in-person visits. Ryder worries about the health risks for many people in the Far North due to the lack of local healthcare options.
A study found around 3,500 people in Kaitāia and nearby areas either had no GP or were registered elsewhere in New Zealand. Others, like Sally and Peter, had to rely on doctors located hours away until they were admitted to hospitals and linked with Kaitāia clinics. However, Peter faces frequent changes in his doctors, making it hard to maintain consistent care.
In Pamapuria, Deirdre Ahu is also struggling to get healthcare for her young grandchildren. Without local doctors, she can only go to the emergency room, which often involves long waits and uncertainty.
The GP shortage in Kaitāia is ongoing and not limited to Northland or New Zealand. Te Hiku Hauora, the largest practice in the area, reports that six of its nine permanent GPs are over retirement age. Despite studies highlighting this issue, little has been done to improve the situation.
The town’s remote location makes it harder to recruit healthcare professionals. Many doctors do not want to move to the Far North due to a lack of resources, isolation, and limited opportunities for their families.
There are efforts to improve healthcare. The ANT Trust opened a Māori nurse-led clinic in July 2023, which has already enrolled 1,000 people who lacked doctors. Chief executive Hone Harawira emphasized the importance of providing quality medical advice without always needing to see a doctor.
Ultimately, the focus is on ensuring that everyone in the Far North can access the healthcare they need, improving their well-being despite economic challenges.
