Rangiora 24-Hours Medical Care A Step Closer

Friday, 29 August 2025, 5:13 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Twenty-four hours medical care will be offered in Rangiora ‘‘if the demand is there’’, says South Link Education Trust chairperson Professor Murray Tilyard. 

Speaking after a sod turning for the much anticipated urgent, after hours medical centre at the Rangiora Health Hub in Ashley Street on Friday [August 29], Prof Tilyard said he was keen to deliver healthcare to meet the needs of the North Canterbury community. 

‘‘Our resource consent is for 8am to 10pm, but, depending on demand, we can extend those hours by applying to the council.’’ 

With funding available from Te Whatu Ora Health NZ for urgent, 24 hours medical care, Prof Tilyard said he believed Waimakariri would qualify. 

Work is due to be completed on the new Rangiora Medical Centre by the end of next year and will service the Waimakariri district, which has a population of around 72,000, and the Hurunui district population of around 15,000. 

The urgent, after hours facility has been in the pipeline for around 15 years, but it has been held up by planning and funding issues and Covid-19. 

Currently, Rangiora residents have to travel 30 minutes to Christchurch to access urgent care. 

The Waimakariri District Council entered into a partnership with South Link Education Trust earlier this year when it agreed to loan fund the project. 

South Link Education Trust, which is a Dunedin-based charitable trust, will be responsible for servicing the loan. 

The trust plans to build a new medical centre, which will include general practice services, seven days a week, with after-hours and urgent healthcare, radiology services including ultrasound, CT and MRI scans, and a pharmacy. 

Professor Tilyard was joined by Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon and Associate Health Minister and Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey to turn the first sod. 

Kaikōura MP Stuart Smith, Hurunui Mayor Marie Black and Health NZ officials were also in attendance.

Mr Gordon said the event was ‘‘a full circle’’ moment for him, as he was working for former Waimakariri MP Kate Wilkinson when then Health Minister Tony Ryall visited Rangiora in 2011 to announce the development of the Rangiora Health Hub. 

‘‘This is a vital new service for our community. This has been a labour of love for many people. It’s been a big commitment, but one I know will make a lasting difference.’’ 

He acknowledged community members who have campaigned for after hours medical care, including Paula Thackwell and David and Sandi McLean, along with Waitaha Canterbury PHO (Primary Health Organisation) chairperson Dr Lorna Martin. Mr Doocey said it was an important step for North Canterbury. 

‘‘If you get primary care right, you can get the whole system right.’’ 

Mr Doocey acknowledged the McLeans, who gained 20,000 signatures in their petition in 2019, and Health NZ, which made the land available for the new medical centre. 

Mrs Black said the new medical centre showed what can be achieved by working in partnership. 

‘‘It will bring benefits to the wider North Canterbury region, and for Hurunui residents it will mean not having to make the longer journey into the city.’’ 

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

© Scoop Media

Local Democracy Reporting

Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.