Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation

09/06/2026

Last week, Mental Health Minister Hon Matt Doocey visited our region to see BeingWell in action, and what he saw left an impression.

💬 "This is probably one of the most impressive visits I've done as a Mental Health Minister in the last three years. What you've got here is a culture. A culture of being accountable, holding yourselves to a high standard and doing what's right."

BeingWell is the Bay of Plenty's free primary mental health and wellbeing service, available through your local GP. In 2025 alone, more than 8,800 people accessed support, with most seen within a week and many the same day.

That growth didn't happen by accident. As our CEO Sarah Stevenson shared, it came from listening to people who used the service, strengthening connections with GPs and community providers and investing in the workforce behind it.

To our HIPs, Health Coaches, general practice teams and community partners, thank you. You're the reason this is working. 💚

If you or your whānau haven't heard of BeingWell, it's free, it's local and it's available now. You can self-refer online at www.wboppho.org.nz/beingwell or ask at your general practice.

Read the full story about the Minister's visit: https://wboppho.org.nz/minister-visits-beingwell/

18/05/2026

Over the past week, as we marked International Nurses Day (12 May) and World Family Doctor Day (19 May), WBOP PHO has taken a moment to recognise the people behind so much of the care that happens in our communities.

We now invite you to do the same. Share this message, leave a comment, acknowledge a nurse or doctor who has made a difference in your life or community.



Read the full message on our website: https://bit.ly/4wlST8m

14/05/2026

Honouring nurses and family doctors across our rohe this month.

Read the full message from WBOP PHO on our website: https://bit.ly/4wlST8m

12/05/2026

Each May, International Nurses Day (12) and World Family Doctor Day (19) give us a moment to honour the people behind so much of the care that happens in our communities.

Shared on behalf of the WBOP PHO whānau by Chief Executive Sarah Stevenson, this message is for every nurse and doctor across our network and beyond, within our own teams and the community providers we work alongside every day.



— The unmeasured difference you make —

A parent remembers the nurse who answered every question and made sure they left feeling confident, not scared.

An older man remembers the GP who noticed something others had missed which ended up saving his life.

A young person remembers feeling seen, not just as a patient but as a person.

Across our communities, there are countless moments like these. They may seem small at the time, but they stay with people for years. They remind us that healthcare is not only about appointments and prescriptions. It is about trust, kindness, reassurance and knowing someone is there when you need them most.

You are there for whānau during some of life's hardest moments. When people are worried, overwhelmed or simply needing someone to listen. You help people understand what comes next. You notice when something is not quite right. You build relationships that can last years, sometimes generations.

We know the work is not easy. Many of you are caring for growing numbers of patients with increasingly complex needs, under real pressure and with limited time. Yet you continue to show compassion, professionalism and commitment to the people who rely on you.

As a local GP and iwi governed organisation, WBOP PHO is proud to work alongside you in serving our communities across the Bay of Plenty. The care you provide reaches far beyond clinic walls.

On behalf of our WBOP PHO whānau, thank you.

Thank you for the long days, the difficult conversations and the quiet acts of care. You may never know the full weight of what you give to people. But the people you care for do.

Ngā mihi nui,
Sarah Stevenson
Chief Executive, WBOP PHO

23/03/2026

Join us at the Ūkaipō WBOP Big Latch On 💛

📅 Friday 27 March
🕙 From 10am
📍 Pāpāmoa Plaza

Come along for a relaxed morning with other māmā and whānau. There will be spot prizes, activities, and space to connect. Whether you are breastfeeding, expressing, mixed feeding or supporting someone who is, you are welcome.

This is a chance to feel supported, share experiences, and be part of something that normalises breastfeeding in our community.

Visit www.blo.org.nz if you need more information.

04/03/2026

HPV (human papillomavirus) is one of the most common viruses in the world. For many people it causes no harm, but it can lead to several preventable cancers.

The HPV vaccine is the best protection against HPV. It’s a safe and effective way to protect people of all genders. Learn more in this Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora post below 👇

HPV (human papillomavirus) is one of the most common viruses in the world. For many people it causes no harm, but it can lead to several preventable cancers.

✅ The HPV vaccine is the best protection against HPV. It’s a safe and effective way to protect people of all genders.

💙 The HPV vaccine is free for people aged 9 - 26. Most young people are offered the vaccine at school, usually in Year 7 or 8. This is the best time to vaccinate and get long lasting protection.

🏫 Missed it at school? You, or your whānau, can still catch up. It’s easy to get the HPV vaccine from your local healthcare providers. You can also book online through Book My Vaccine.

👫HPV affects everyone. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer caused by HPV, but it’s not the only one. Around a third of HPV related cancers affect men.

🫶When everyone is vaccinated, it helps protect the whole community.

ℹ️ Find out more and book your vaccine today (link in the first comment).

02/03/2026

Kia ora! The HBU Mobile Health Waka calendar for March is here:

20/02/2026

WBOP PHO moves to Seventeenth Avenue in Tauranga

From Monday 23 February, WBOP PHO will operate from a new address at 145 Seventeenth Avenue, Tauranga, joining The Kollective, New Zealand’s largest co-working space dedicated to social impact. The move from 87 First Avenue, only a few minutes away, supports both community connection and a more flexible operating model.

Read the full story here: https://wboppho.org.nz/wbop-pho-moves-to-seventeenth-avenue-in-tauranga/

16/02/2026

When Stella* first came to BeingWell, she felt overwhelmed.
Her blood results scared her. Her weight had reached over 140kg.
She was exhausted, in pain and stuck in a cycle she could not break.

Today, she walks eight kilometres with ease.
She goes to the gym four to five times a week.
She has climbed Mauao.
Her weight has dropped to 116kg.
She runs with her granddaughter.
She feels hopeful about her future.

The turning point was simple. She said yes to support.

BeingWell is WBOP PHO’s free mental health and wellbeing service. You do not need a referral. You can contact the team directly.

Read her full story and learn how to connect:
👉 https://bit.ly/sayingyestoBeingWell

If this feels familiar, you are not alone. Support is here when you are ready.

*To protect her privacy, we are not using her real name.

12/02/2026

The Health Improvement Practitioner role began in New Zealand in 2017 and is still new to many people. In the Bay of Plenty, more people are meeting HIPs through BeingWell in general practice. But do you know what it takes to become one?

HIPs are already qualified health professionals. They complete further training, supervision and real practice assessments before working independently in general practice.

In this article, we explain what that training involves and why it matters for the support you receive. Read here: https://wboppho.org.nz/beingwell-hips-the-training-behind-the-support-you-receive/