About us | Ko wai matou
Tu Whakaruruhau is a partnership of social service agencies working together to implement a new model of primary care across Auckland.
This collaborative includes Māori and Pacific community organisations, Health NZ, primary health organisations, GP clinics, iwi, and community health and social service providers.
The service is made possible through government investment in wellbeing services, funded by the May 2019 Wellbeing Budget.
This collaborative includes Māori and Pacific community organisations, Health NZ, primary health organisations, GP clinics, iwi, and community health and social service providers.
The service is made possible through government investment in wellbeing services, funded by the May 2019 Wellbeing Budget.
Programme background
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General practices across Auckland have been invited to take part in delivering new services designed to improve wellbeing. All PHOs in Auckland support this initiative, and implementation experts work alongside GP teams to establish these services. This is part of a long-term investment in strengthening the capacity of general practice and community-based care. The Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP) and Health Coach roles are fully funded through Tū Whakaruruhau, while Awhi Ora is provided through a collaboration of NGO health and wellbeing organisations across Auckland. Awhi Ora serves as the link between clinics and community support. |
Dr. David Codyre, Clinical Director for Tu whakaruruhau
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Pilot evaluation findings*
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Access rates >90%
(compared to 30-50% under referral model). Differential increased access Maori, Pacific People, and youth. Good clinical outcomes Significant reduced symptom scores, improved wellbeing; greatest improvement in Maori. |
Reduced prescribing of psychotropic medications
Focus on prescribing only for severe persistent anxiety/depression High level satisfaction levels with services “How useful was this service today” average score above 9/10. Significant increase in productivity 500-600 new patient/FTE/yr (vs 200-250/yr under package of talking therapy model). |
What GPs say about the programme
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Our Maori and Pacific patients can also find it hard to express what help they need with their long-term conditions. After seeing the Health Coach, they often arrive with a list of the questions they want to ask. The handover notes from the Health Improvement Practitioners and Health Coaches help speed up consultations and are reducing waiting times. |
It really helps my relationship with patients. We see a lot of people with mental wellness and physical problems and it’s very difficult to fit everything into a 15 minute appointment |
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This service is invaluable to us working as GPs at our practice. With the pressure on appointments for GPs, Catherine in the HIP role takes the pressure off by being able to talk to patients about things for longer and expand on the things we do not have time, or do not have the expertise to talk about. I send many patients to them, and those who engage have a positive experience. I have worked at times at this practice, and others, where there has not been a HIP and have really noticed the difference in quality of wrap around care. Patients are keen to see them and get this type of help.
NZ Doctor articles on the programme
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New roles to support General Practice
The new roles are:
These roles ensure that enrolled patients experiencing any form of distress can receive timely support. Patients can often see a HIP or Health Coach immediately, while Awhi Ora Community Support is typically available within 1–2 days.
Ongoing care remains with the primary care team, with warm handovers and introductions between team members to ensure seamless, integrated support.
- Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP)
- Health Coach
- Awhi Ora Community Support Worker (CSW).
These roles ensure that enrolled patients experiencing any form of distress can receive timely support. Patients can often see a HIP or Health Coach immediately, while Awhi Ora Community Support is typically available within 1–2 days.
Ongoing care remains with the primary care team, with warm handovers and introductions between team members to ensure seamless, integrated support.
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Health Improvement Practitioners
are based in the clinic and is a registered mental health practitioner who works with individuals, whanau, and groups through evidence-based brief interventions (generally of 30 minutes duration) to help people make changes to enhance their health and wellbeing. They have experience and training in evidence-based talking therapies and come from a variety of clinical backgrounds including, nursing, social work, occupational therapy, drug/alcohol practitioners, psychology and psychotherapy.HIPs also support and educate the general practice team. |
Health Coaches
are also based in the clinic and are an unregistered work force, trained to work in a defined scope of practice. They support people with long term medical and/or mental health conditions to engage in positive health behaviour change. The main role of a health coach is to help people understand their conditions better and learn self management skills to achieve a better quality of life. Health coaches help with lifestyle challenges such as diet, exercise and smoking cessation. They act as a bridge to GP and nurse appointments. |
Awhi Ora Support Workers
are based in the community band come into the clinic to connect with the HIP, Health Coach and the general practice staff. The main role of the Awhi Ora Community Support is to provide brief interventions of up to three months to support patients to address social and cultural challenges that may be impacting on their wellbeing. Challenges such as feeling stressed, worries about your budget, feeling anxious about work or social situations. They can also help people navigate social and community services Find out more about Awhi Ora here. |
Our collaborative | Nga hoa kaipakihi
