Kaitiaki Hauora

12/10/2026

“People are feeling utterly abandoned.”

That's what Dr David Galler told the Manawatū Standard at our Palmerston North Roady meeting.

He was joined by Dr Curtis Walker, who described the crisis in Tararua as the canary in the coal mine, and Dr James Irwin, who left his role as the hospital's last gastroenterology specialist to advocate for change.

Three doctors, one clear message: our public health system needs investment, and communities deserve better.

Read our notes here -

Senior doctors have spoken out about the state of public healthcare, warning of disappearing services, growing inequities and the urgent need for investment.

11/10/2026

The mighty TGA, you’re up next!
Monday 12pm at 157 Fraser Street.

Then it’s off to Whakatāne, 6pm at 58 Domain Road.

Come join us! There’s plenty of outrage but it’s a nice little hang afterwards 💜

11/10/2026

Welcome to Timaru's “zombie hospital”.

According to Peter Doran, Timaru Hospital has the worst ICU in the country. But on the bright side, the views of the ocean and Southern Alps are spectacular.

And while clinical areas deteriorate, the stairwell has had a lovely makeover, complete with new carpet and wall coverings.

Everything's fine, apparently.

The Timaru Herald reports on what the Save Our Public Healthcare Roady heard in Timaru.

Timaru’s ‘zombie hospital’: Worst ICU, best views, and thankfully, a freshly carpeted stairwell.

10/10/2026

DEAR DIARY...

Turns out when you send Dr David Galler and Malcolm Mulholland on a two-week Roady from Bluff to Cape Reinga, there's quite a bit to report back on.

We've had a hefty amount of media coverage already, which you can catch up on here: https://kaitiakihauora.nz/media

And there's plenty more to come. Interviews with local speakers, regional wrap-ups from David and Malcolm, and an extraordinary collection of videos involving tractors, horses, bagpipes and a banana. We'll save those for after the Roady.

For now though, here's David's Diary, where he shares his thoughts, observations and whatever else happens to be on his mind as our dynamic duo make their way up the country.

Here's the first instalment. Enjoy!

https://kaitiakihauora.nz/media/ramblings-from-the-roady-dr-david-gallers-diary

David Galler and Malcolm Mulholland are making their way from Bluff to Cape Reinga on the Save Our Public Health Roady. Along the way, David's been keeping notes on the people they meet, the things they hear, and whatever else catches his attention. We'll keep adding them here as the Roady heads n

09/10/2026

Dr David Galler chats with Charleen Waddell - NZNO about nursing in Southland, supporting the Save Our Public Healthcare Roady, and keeping staff safe with an incredible t-shirt with a very important message.

09/10/2026

Dr David Galler chats with Charleen Waddell - NZNO about nursing in Southland, nursing overseas and an incredible t-shirt with a very important message.

09/10/2026

Malcolm Mulholland and Dr David Galler wrap up the second stop of the Save Our Public Health Roady in Gore, and partake in a little Southland culture along the way...

07/10/2026

“It’s both sides of those equations that are losing out.”

The Roady rolled into Timaru, where local health workers spoke about the pressure they’re seeing on the frontline.

David Galler says it comes back to people: those who need healthcare, and those trying to provide it.

Read the full story here:

The Save Our Public Healthcare Roady stopped in Timaru, hearing from local health workers about growing pressure on the region’s health system and life on the frontline.

07/10/2026

$13 million less.

That’s the funding gap Gore Health says it faces compared with its closest comparable rural hospital.

Its chief executive Karl Metzler put it even more starkly:

“You don’t want to get sick if you’re in the deep south.”

Read what Malcolm and David are hearing on the Roady in Southland -

Gore Health receives $13 million less funding than its closest comparable rural hospital, as its chief executive warns: “You don’t want to get sick if you’re in the deep south.”