Whangaruru Van

The purpose of this van is to improve access to health services in Whangarei for the people of Whangaruru – this is an isolated, coastal community that has a predominantly elderly Maori population for whom rurality, distance, poor roads and lack of transport created significant barriers in terms of accessing a range of health services.
 
Ki a Ora Ngatiwai, a Maori health provider in Whangarei manages this contract on behalf of the local community. Since the van was commissioned in December 2005 it has been used at least weekly. The majority of those using the vehicle is for transport to their General Practitioner and for blood tests, as well as physiotherapy, optometrist visits, dental care, and hospital visits.