Successful delivery of health services in New Zealand must incorporate rural contexts and be capable of meeting the needs of diverse communities, according to a qualitative study of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in rural Māori and Pasifika communities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 42 participants at four rural health providers in individual or focus groups settings, to examine views of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Key themes identified were: 1) A fragile yet resilient pre-COVID-19 rural health setting; 2) An urban-centric and Pakehā-focused health system; 3) Multiple logistical challenges with poor/no consideration of rural context leading to wasted resource and time; 4) Rural providers finding geographically tailored, culturally anchored and locally driven solutions; 5) A need for sustained investment in rural health services, including funding long-term integrated (rather than ‘by activity’) health services.
