Wellington will host the 21st WONCA (World Organisation of Family Doctors) World Rural Health Conference in 2026, with the Conference Theme being Whānau Ora: Integrating mātauranga Māori indigenous knowledge with rural health for a thriving future.
The successful conference bid was led by Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network with support from its Te Tiriti partners Te Rōpū Ārahi. Advocacy from Business Events Wellington (BEW) and Tourism New Zealand Business Events, and endorsement from the New Zealand health sector and government ministries, led to a winning proposal.
Hauora Taiwhenua’s bid was chosen over strong international competition. The selection committee was particularly impressed by the focus on New Zealand’s innovative approaches to integrating Māori health models within its healthcare system.
“Hosting Rural WONCA 2026 in Wellington provides an unparalleled platform to highlight the innovative and community-driven strategies we’ve developed to support rural and Indigenous health,” said Fiona Bolden, Chairperson of Hauora Taiwhenua.
“We will be working closely with our rural Māori members and health colleagues to share our success stories and extend this opportunity to our rural health peers across the South Pacific and other first nations peoples around the world, to join these conversations and learning opportunities; it’s about fostering global conversations that drive equity and inclusivity in healthcare systems worldwide.”
The relevance of this conference to New Zealand has never been greater, Ms Bolden says, with increasing recognition of health disparities and the urgent need for culturally responsive care. The country’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and the UN Sustainable Development Goals will provide robust conversations on shared learnings, she said.
BEW Manager, Irette Ferreira said Wellington’s world-class facilities, including the brand-new Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, coupled with the city’s accessible and compact layout, made it an ideal location for international delegates.
“We look forward to welcoming healthcare professionals from around the globe to our city,” she said.
The conference is expected to deliver an economic impact of $2.7 million to Wellington.
Tourism New Zealand Global Manager Business Events, Penelope Ryan says, “Welcoming the Rural WONCA Conference not only brings valuable thought leadership in healthcare to New Zealand, it supports year-round tourism by bringing international visitors to our shores in April, after our peak summer season.”
Dr Grant Davidson, Chief Executive Hauora Taiwhenua said, “This is the first time the global rural health conference for family doctors has been hosted by New Zealand, and we are very proud to be able to provide this unbeatable opportunity to our rural health community.”
