Ko te Hikuwai o Te Tihi Ora: The Pinnacle Foundation

Any practice in the Pinnacle Midlands Health Network can apply for Te Hikuwai funding. 

Te Hikuwai supports four strategic investment areas. Funding areas and assessment criteria will be reviewed each year and may change. 

Patient access 

Support initiatives that improve equitable access to primary care services, particularly for people in rural and low-income communities, Māori, Pasifika and other underserved communities. This includes reducing barriers such as cost, transport, language and digital exclusion. 

Assessment criteria 

• Demonstrates an evidence-based approach and/or measurable improvement in access for a patient or patients who are part of a priority population. 

• Demonstrates that the patients affected have been consulted. 

• Includes a plan to prevent recurrence. 

Innovative technology 

Fund projects that introduce or scale up innovative technologies to improve patient care, enhance data-driven decision-making, strengthen service delivery, improve operational efficiency, increase access to diagnostics and/or enhance patient engagement. 

This includes, but is not limited to, digital tools, artificial intelligence, remote monitoring and data analytics. Funding cannot be used for standalone capital expenditure. 

Assessment criteria 

• The technology addresses a clearly defined clinical, equity or operational challenge. 

• Demonstrates potential for scalability and interoperability with existing systems. 

• Includes a plan for staff training, patient onboarding and education. 

Recruitment 

Support initiatives that attract new talent into general practice, especially in high-need and rural areas. There is a focus on building a diverse and culturally representative workforce. 

Assessment criteria 

• Improves patient access, with a focus on priority populations. 

• Improves capability and capacity across the practice team. 

• Supports a multidisciplinary approach to the delivery of care. 

Funding can be used for recruitment-related costs such as relocation support, marketing campaigns, and third-party advice or services. 

Workforce capability and training 

Invest in professional development for general practice staff, ensuring they are equipped to deliver high-quality, culturally safe, culturally intelligent and future-ready care. 

This includes clinical leadership, climate literacy, cultural competency, digital literacy, management and governance, and continuing professional development or continuing medical education. 

Assessment criteria 

• Training aligns with national standards, recognised qualifications or identified learning needs. 

• Supports the delivery of culturally responsive and future-ready care. 

• Includes evaluation of learning outcomes and the impact on practice and patient care. 

• Encourages career progression and leadership development. 

Te Hikuwai encourages practices to consider projects that will deliver meaningful benefits for patients, whānau, communities and the primary care workforce, while supporting improved health equity and access to care. 

The Pinnacle Foundation funding pool is reviewed annually to ensure resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact. Here’s what you’ll need to know: 

• The total Foundation budget for the upcoming financial year will be confirmed by 30 June each year. 

• Each practice’s funding allocation for the new year will also be confirmed by 30 June each year and communicated directly to practices shortly afterwards. 

• Practice allocations are calculated using the practice’s enrolled service user (ESU) population as at 30 June each year. 

• For the 2026/27 funding year, allocations will be calculated at $2.50 per ESU. 

• Funding allocations may change from year to year depending on Te Hikuwai’s available budget, priorities and resources. Practices should not assume future allocations will be the same as previous years. 

• Applications can be submitted up to the value of the practice’s available allocation for that funding year. 

• Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis following completion of the approved project and submission of a satisfactory final report and supporting evidence. 

• Reimbursement will be processed through BCTI in the month following approval of the final report. 

Applications are reviewed by the Chief Governance Officer as they are received throughout the year, subject to the availability of Foundation funding within each practice’s annual allocation. 

• Each application is considered against Te Hikuwai’s funding criteria, charitable purpose requirements, and alignment with its mission and objectives. Applicants will be advised of the outcome through Flowingly once the review is complete. 

• Successful applications will receive preliminary approval to proceed with the proposed initiative. As Foundation funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, practices will need to complete the approved initiative and submit a final report before funding is released. The report should outline the activities undertaken, outcomes achieved and supporting evidence. 

• Final reports are reviewed to confirm that the approved objectives have been met. Once the final report is approved, reimbursement will be processed through BCTI in the following month. 

• Each application is assessed on its own merits. The Chief Governance Officer, Chief Executive Officer and Foundation governance representatives reserve the right to consider applications in the context of available funding, strategic priorities, Te Hikuwai’s charitable objects, and the overall benefit to patients, whānau, communities and health equity outcomes. 

Applications are assessed against Te Hikuwai’s funding criteria using a simple three-point rating scale: 

 
Applications are reviewed as a whole, with particular consideration given to alignment with Te Hikuwai’s charitable purpose, intended impact and contribution to health equity. 

All applications are expected to use inclusive language and demonstrate how the proposed initiative will improve outcomes for patients and communities, particularly those experiencing inequitable access to healthcare, including rural and low-income communities, Māori, Pasifika and other underserved populations. 

Strong applications will clearly demonstrate how the initiative will deliver meaningful benefits and, where relevant: 

• Support improved access to care and better health outcomes for priority populations. 

• Empower Māori patients and whānau through culturally responsive and whānau-centred approaches. 

• Demonstrate meaningful engagement with Māori, including partnerships with iwi, hapū, Māori providers, organisations or training providers where appropriate. 

• Incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural representation into the design and delivery of the initiative. 

• Show evidence of community engagement and co-design with those who will benefit from the project. 

• Embed culturally safe, equity-focused approaches and, where appropriate, kaupapa Māori frameworks. 

• Strengthen workforce capability through recruitment, retention, professional development, leadership development or innovative workforce models. 

• Provide accessible and culturally grounded training, learning or capability-building opportunities. 

Applications do not need to meet every consideration listed above. However, applications that clearly demonstrate alignment with Te Hikuwai’s purpose, charitable objectives and commitment to improving health equity are likely to be assessed more favourably. 

Please apply for Te Hikuwai (The Foundation) funding by completing this Flowingly application form, and ensure all relevant documents are included. 

If you have any pātai about the application process, please email liz.miller@pinnacle.health.nz. 

What happens if my practice leaves the network? 

Practices that notify Pinnacle of their intention to leave the network can use Foundation funding while they remain part of the network. They forfeit access to any unspent allocation from the date they leave the network. 

Can Foundation funding be combined with other grants? 

Practices may combine Foundation funding with other grants, funding programmes or their own financial contribution to support an initiative. Applications must clearly identify all funding sources and explain how each source will be used. 

Funding will only be approved where it complements, rather than duplicates, other funding already received or secured. Applicants may be asked to provide additional information confirming that Foundation funding will support activities, costs or outcomes that are not funded elsewhere. 

Where multiple funding sources are being used, applications should clearly outline the total project cost and the contribution expected from each fund. 

Ko te Hikuwai o Te Tihi Ora (The Foundation) is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of independent trustees and Pinnacle-appointed members. The trustees oversee Te Hikuwai’s strategic direction and funding decisions. Oversight sits with Pinnacle’s Risk and Audit Committee. 

Dr Kiyomi Kitagawa 

Dr Kiyomi is the Deputy Chair of the Pinnacle Incorporated Executive Committee, bringing a strong focus on equity, sustainability, community health and strengthening primary care partnerships across the region. 

Dr Giles Turner 

Dr Giles is a general practitioner at Taupō Medical Centre, bringing extensive clinical experience and a strong understanding of general practice and patient care. 

Gary Thompson (Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Hauā) 

Gary is the Kaiwhakamana (Chair) of Te Taumata Hauora Māori, and brings extensive governance and Māori development experience, and a deep commitment to whānau, hapū and improving health equity.