Wellington will host the 21st WONCA (World Organisation of Family Doctors) World Rural Health Conference in 2026, the first time the conference is heading to New Zealand.
Themed Whānau Ora: Integrating mātauranga Māori indigenous knowledge with rural health for a thriving future, the event is expected to deliver an economic impact of NZ$2.7 million (US$1.5 million) to Wellington. It will be held at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Fiona Bolden, chairperson of Hauora Taiwhenua, said: “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.
“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 successful conference bid was led by Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network with support from its Te Tiriti partners Te Rōpū Ārahi. Effective advocacy from Business Events Wellington and Tourism New Zealand Business Events, and endorsement from the New Zealand health sector and government ministries, led to a winning proposal.
