Tend Health, one of New Zealand's largest and fastest-growing primary healthcare providers, has announced a significant partnership with central Tāmaki Makaurau tangata whenua Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei that will see the hapu's Ōrākei Health clinic transition to become Tend Ōrākei from May 2026.
The partnership represents a unique dual investment structure: Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is acquiring a strategic shareholding in Tend Health Holdings Limited alongside fellow iwi investors and Pencarrow, whilst simultaneously retaining a 20% ownership stake in the newly formed Tend Ōrākei clinic. Lisa Davis, Chief Executive of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, will sit on the clinic's Board, ensuring ongoing iwi influence and care that aligns with the hapū values.
The partnership honours the legacy and vision of the kuia and kaumātua (hapū elders)
who first established Ōrākei Health clinic whilst providing a sustainable platform for growth. Under Tend's management, the clinic will benefit from enhanced technology, extended online hours, broader clinical support and improved access through both in-person and 24/7 online services.
"This partnership protects and strengthens what our kuia and kaumāta established for our community," said Davis. "Our decision to partner with Tend reflects a deeper commitment to improving health outcomes for our whānau. We believe quality healthcare must be accessible to all, particularly those in underserved communities, including Māori and rural populations, and we see Tend as a powerful vehicle for helping us to achieve that vision.
"We've already demonstrated our commitment through offering comprehensive health insurance for our whānau. This investment represents the next step in supporting bold, scalable solutions that can transform how care is delivered.
"Tend is the kind of partner we look for. They are ambitious, values-driven and focused on shifting the dial for whānau. We're excited by what this partnership with Tend could unlock for the future of healthcare in Aotearoa."
The partnership brings together two organisations committed to addressing health inequities. Tend operates a care team model that combines online consultations with in-clinic services, enabling greater access for patients who face barriers to traditional healthcare delivery.
Dr Rawiri McKree Jansen, a GP at both Tend and Ōrākei Health and Board member of Arataki PHO, welcomed the partnership. "This represents a powerful opportunity to improve health equity through genuine partnership. I've seen firsthand how Tend's innovative model breaks down traditional barriers to accessing care – whether that's through 24/7 availability, digital consultations, or team-based care that wraps around whānau needs.
"As someone deeply connected to both the Ōrākei community and Tend's vision for accessible healthcare, I'm excited about what this partnership can achieve. It's about maintaining the whānau-centred approach that Ōrākei Health has always been known for whilst leveraging Tend's scale, systems and resources to serve our community even better."
Cecilia Robinson, Co-founder and CEO of Tend, said the partnership aligned perfectly with the organisation's founding purpose. "Tend exists to help New Zealanders be the healthiest people in the world, and partnering with iwi demonstrates that vision in action. The partnership with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei as both shareholders in Tend Health and co-owners of Tend Ōrākei creates an innovative governance model that keeps community needs and values at the centre of everything we do.
"We're honoured to be entrusted with continuing the legacy of care that began with the kuia and kaumātua of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Together, we can create a model of care that meets the needs of the community whilst demonstrating a pathway for sustainable, equitable healthcare for Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei members.”
All current Ōrākei Health clinic staff are being offered employment with Tend Ōrākei. Patients will continue to see the same friendly faces in the clinic with improvements to be introduced progressively through 2026.