Paediatric Society Of New Zealand Launches New Network To Strengthen Child Health Services In Aotearoa

The Paediatric Society of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Mātai Arotamariki o Aotearoa (PSNZ) has announced the establishment of a General Paediatric Clinical Network, a strategic step toward more consistent, equitable, and whānau-centred care for tamariki across Aotearoa.

The network is part of the New Zealand Child and Youth Clinical Network (NZCYCN) Programme and is co-chaired by Emily Sorby and Dr Dave Graham. It will bring together clinicians, allied health professionals, whānau navigators, and lived experience voices to address the growing complexity and unmet need across the motu – particularly in outpatient services.

The network will focus on:

• Strengthening regional paediatric services with national consistency
• Advocating for equity, especially for Māori and underserved communities
• Building culturally responsive, evidence-informed models of care
• Supporting innovative solutions, workforce development, and service integration
• Deepening collaboration between general paediatrics, subspecialties, and wider sectors

Emily Sorby, Māori Director at Starship Community, brings deep cultural and community expertise to the network:

This network gives us a chance to rethink care from a mokopuna-centric, whānau-focused, whānau-led perspective. We need to deliver services not just to whānau, but with them – in ways that reflect their needs, aspirations, and mana. I'm committed to ensuring that our work is grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and that Māori voices, values, and solutions are woven into everything we do."

Dr Dave Graham, a long-time paediatrician based in Waikato, says the network is a chance to make our services better, and make better services:

"General Paediatrics sits in a unique place – we see nearly all the patients, across every setting, often carrying the broader picture of a child's life. This network is about joining those dots, creating partnerships, and developing services that reflect the real health needs of our population. We need to stop working in isolation and start building something better together."

With support from NZCYCN, the co-leads will soon hold their first meeting with the network’s diverse Reference Group. Together, they’ll begin shaping strategic priorities, including data insights, equity metrics, nationally consistent triage processes, and adaptable models of care for different regions.

For more information about the network, or to express your interest in joining, please contact the Network Project Coordinator, Julie: generalpaeds@paediatrics.org.nz

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