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Students from across Hokianga (Te Takapau Wānanga) and Whakatāne programmes.

The Rural Health Interprofessional Programme (RHIP) has been implemented by the University of Auckland, in partnership with Te Whatu Ora. The aims of the programme are to provide an interprofessional educational (IPE) experience that embeds clinical practice into Māori models of Healthcare within a rural context.

Over 5 weeks a group of 5-12 students of different disciplines will come together. They will arrive from various tertiary educational institutes in New Zealand to complete a clinical placement in either Whakatāne (Whakatāne RHIP) or Hokianga (Te Takapau Wānanga).

IPE occurs in a work integrated learning context. Where students are supervised to provide health services to rural and Māori populations. Authenticity of interprofessional education is enhanced through simulations (Parnell et al., 2024), case-based discussion (Janes et al., 2022) and reflective learning activities that are equity focussed. This authentic IPE leads to working interprofessional collaborative practice. The requirements of the educational programme students are enrolled are integrated into the teaching and learning and assessment activities while on RHIP.

Whakatāne RHIP has been hosting students since 2013, whereas Te Takapau Wānanga was established early 2023. Many of the RHIP alumni have returned to enjoy living and working in rural areas including Whakatāne and Hokianga. Over the years the RHIP programme has grown to having students not only from medicine, nursing and physio. But now also includes; pharmacy, paramedic, medicine, nursing, midwifery, psychology, social work, oral health therapist, occupational therapists, dentists, medical imaging, speech language therapist, and we welcome optometry in 2025.

Applications at either Whakatāne or Hokianga can be made once you have your primary care or community placement information from your tertiary provider. See pages for more info on how to apply.