Pinnacle Health

26/08/2026

Congratulations, Akarere Henry (CEO, South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services), for receiving the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Life Award!

Pinnacle has worked closely with her and the team at South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services on a number of initiatives, including work to improve access to diabetes and primary care in South Waikato. That work included helping grow the local workforce, making it easier for people who aren’t enrolled with a general practice to get care, and supporting services to work more closely together around whānau. 👏

E mihi ana mātou ki tō mahi.

Read more here: https://pmagroup.org.nz/updates/south-waikato-cook-islands-leader-honoured-with-pma-life-award

Akarere Henry, CEO for South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services (SWPICS), has been recognised for decades of service and commitment to the health and wellbeing of Pacific communities, receiving a Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Life Award at PMA’s 30th anniversary conference celebrations.

🔗 Read: https://shorturl.at/OUzIx

26/08/2026

Congratulations, Akarere Henry (CEO, South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services), for receiving the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Life Award!

Pinnacle has worked closely with Akarere and the team at South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services on a number of initiatives, including work to improve access to diabetes and primary care in South Waikato. That work included helping grow the local workforce, making it easier for people who aren’t enrolled with a general practice to get care, and supporting services to work more closely together around whānau. 👏
E mihi ana mātou ki tō mahi.

Read more here: https://pmagroup.org.nz/updates/south-waikato-cook-islands-leader-honoured-with-pma-life-award

Akarere Henry, CEO for South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services (SWPICS), has been recognised for decades of service and commitment to the health and wellbeing of Pacific communities, receiving a Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Life Award at PMA’s 30th anniversary conference celebrations.

🔗 Read: https://shorturl.at/OUzIx

21/08/2026

𝗙𝗹𝘂 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿.

Many people have become seriously unwell with flu, and more people have needed hospital care. If you haven’t had your flu vaccine yet, it’s not too late.

If you’re aged 65 or over, your flu vaccine is free.
You can get vaccinated through many general practices and pharmacies.

For people aged 65 and over, flu can be more serious. Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to reduce your chance of becoming seriously ill. It can also help protect whānau and others around you who may be more vulnerable.

✅ To find or book a vaccination, visit bookmyvaccine.nz
✅ Visit Healthpoint.co.nz to find a provider near you
✅ Call 0800 28 29 26, 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Calls are free and interpreters are available.

19/08/2026

Great to be a part of this event, with Tau Oranga Health Care bringing practice teams from across Rotorua together for a cardiac workshop with the Heart Foundation NZ.
We were pleased to support the evening, but the real credit goes to Tau Oranga for opening their doors to provide the venue, the Heart Foundation for making the training possible in a practice, and to the busy practice teams who made the time to come along and take part.
Continuing education like this helps primary care teams stay up to date with the latest evidence and best practice, and ultimately supports better care for whānau. ❤️

07/08/2026

Congratulations to Dr Reeta Lochan on receiving the Community Service Medal from the The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

This award recognises GPs whose dedication to community care has made a lasting difference in the lives of patients and whānau. For more than 30 years, Dr Reeta has cared for the Kirikiriroa community with compassion, built trusted relationships, and championed equitable, patient-centred care, while also mentoring the next generation of GPs.

We're incredibly proud to have Dr Reeta as part of the Pinnacle network. Her commitment to serving others is an inspiration to our primary care community and a reminder of the impact that compassionate, community-focused care can have.

Again, congratulations Dr Reeta on this well-deserved recognition.

https://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/news/media-releases/community-service-medal-awarded-for-gps-dedication-to-their-service-and-impact-on-community-health-care/

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) has awarded eight of its members with the Community Service Medal at its annual Fellowship and Awards Ceremony in Auckland on Saturday 1 August.

04/08/2026

Supporting rangatahi starts with understanding, connection, and early support.

That's the heart of Tūturu—a uniquely Aotearoa approach to student wellbeing that brings health and education together to help reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) harm before it escalates.

In Tairāwhiti, Pinnacle is partnering with five local secondary schools to deliver the programme. Recently, our new Senior Tūturu Lead, Kim Te Riini, joined Tūturu Leads from across the motu in Tāmaki Makaurau to strengthen relationships, share learning, and build capability.

"The energy, clarity and shared commitment across the motu was powerful," says Kim. "I'm really looking forward to what we can achieve together for our rangatahi and the school communities we each engage with across Aotearoa."

We're excited to support practical, mana-enhancing approaches that help rangatahi, whānau, schools, and communities thrive.

Read full story here: https://www.pinnacle.co.nz/news/tuturu-supports-rangatahi-wellbeing-in-tairawhiti-schools

08/07/2026

Maanawatia a Matariki! ✨ On behalf of our Pinnacle whānau, our CE Justin Butcher extends his warm greetings to you and yours. He also shares what Matariki means for us as a primary health organisation staying committed to delivering health equity for Māori and non-Māori.

"For Pinnacle, Matariki means we have to take an honest look at how we've achieved hauora for Māori and closed some of the equity gaps—not just celebrating the kaupapa that we've done, but holding ourselves accountable for the outcomes."

We hope you enjoy this season of reflection, connection, and planning ahead with your whānau.

07/07/2026

Celebrating the first cohort of Taakiri Tuu Te Rangatahi!

It was a privilege to join our rangatahi, whaanau, kura, mana whenua and community partners in Ngaaruawaahia to celebrate the culmination of the first Taakiri Tuu Te Rangatahi programme—a kaupapa that brings together education and health to create opportunities for young people to thrive.

As Teresa McGovern, Pinnacle's Taakiri Tuu Te Rangatahi Manager, shared: "The true measure of this programme has never been attendance numbers, certificates or completed activities. Its success is measured in confidence gained, relationships built, challenges overcome, and the courage shown by each of our rangatahi."

A heartfelt thank you to our rangatahi, whaanau, Ngaaruawaahia High School, Huntly College, mana whenua, and everyone who has walked alongside this journey. Together, we've shown what's possible when we share a common goal: supporting our young people to realise their potential.

We'd also love to acknowledge the presence of Tilly Turner ( Tai Runga Takiwaa Maaori Ward Councillor), and Robbie Neha (Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward Councillor). Huge mihi to all our excursion providers as well:

Maungatautari Sanctuary
Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho
Daniel Kereopa Outdoor Education Trust
Maori Tourism
Elevate Muay Thai
Kotahi Crossfit
Rangiriri Pa Tours
Waste Management

06/07/2026

There’s something special about communities coming together in waiata.

We’re pleased to share a glimpse of our community waiata at Garden Place, Kirikiriroa on 1 July, celebrating the season of Matariki. It was a wonderful morning of waiata and connection in the heart of the city.

Themed “Matariki Herenga Waka: For Everyone”, the event was jointly organised by the organisations based at 711 Victoria Street following a series of Waiata Wenerei (Wednesdays) and shared rehearsals. It was a privilege to stand alongside our neighbours from Norris Ward McKinnon , Tonkin + Taylor, TeTe Aho o Te Kura Pounamu - The Correspondence Schoolnd friends from the Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty to celebrate this kaupapa together.

02/07/2026

What is Matariki without waiata? ✨ Staying true to our advocacy on total wellbeing and health equity, Pinnacle has joined this wonderful community waiata yesterday with kaimahi at Norris Ward McKinnon building, Kirikiriroa Hamilton.

People at the Garden Place, whānau and strangers alike, were treated to a morning of waiata and some games, keeping the atmosphere warm amidst a noticeable temperature drop this winter. It's a true response to the call of the Matariki season - a time to gather and celebrate with whānau.

We also believe that waiata helps uplift our mauri and hauora. Our kaimahi would show up during our Waiata Wēnerei (Waiata Wednesdays) together with colleagues from the building, and through to regular rehearsals leading to this special morning.

Mahi pai! We're grateful to share this moment with Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu - The Correspondence School, Norris Ward McKinnon, Tonkin + Taylor, and some friends from Cancer Society.

Matariki Herenga Waka: Matariki for everyone! Mānawatia a Matariki.