We're thrilled to announce Hinetu Kallon Nikora, a patient service representative in our Patient Access Centre (PAC), as the inaugural recipient of Kia Puāwai, Pinnacle’s Māori Education Fund.

Katoa, a new customised app, will make it easier for Pinnacle staff and the Midlands Health Network to learn and use Māori language, culture and customs in their day-to-day work. Katoa aims to support Pinnacle’s efforts to build a culturally aware health workforce across the network.

Pinnacle supports and is excited by the potential establishment of a third medical school through Waikato University.

Pinnacle has sent an open letter to Paul Goulter and the New Zealand Nurses Organisation requesting stronger representation of primary care nurses working in general practice in Te Whatu Ora multi-employer collective agreement (MECA) bargaining negotiations.

In mid-November 2022 a group of Tairāwhiti clinicians gathered in a room at the local fishing club for a night of speed-dating – but not in the way you’re thinking.

One Saturday morning, the server at Dallas Clinic in Morrinsville unexpectedly crashed, including the backup system. The practice lost all its data from the previous two days. The response from the clinic team and their IT provider was phenomenal.

The team at Health Ngatea were desperate for more GPs when they heard how introducing a physician associate (PA) had helped ease workforce pressures in other practices. They haven’t looked back since.

Newly appointed Pinnacle chief executive, Justin Butcher, can see both challenges and opportunities ahead in Aotearoa New Zealand’s changing health landscape. With a background in frontline health services, project management and innovative leadership, he shares his vision for a strong, adaptable, and responsive health system that meets the needs of future generations.

Pinnacle nursing director Jan Adams has been awarded as an Honorary Professor of Te Huataki Waiora School of Health at University of Waikato, following her work with the university to establish its Bachelor of Nursing programme.

Sue van Mierlo is a nurse practitioner working as part of the Lakes Extended Care Team. In her role she supports people to self-manage long-term conditions and diseases, including managing diabetes. A large number of her clients are Māori.