Have your say on our draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy

Kāpiti Coast District Council is inviting the community to help shape the future of health and wellbeing in Kāpiti, with feedback now open on its draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The draft strategy sets out how Council will work alongside iwi, health providers, government agencies and community organisations to improve access to health services and support healthier lives across the district.

It responds to growing concerns about access to health care close to home, particularly as the Kāpiti population grows and ages.

The district also has high rates of disability and long-term health conditions, alongside increasing demand for mental health and addiction support.

Kāpiti Coast District Mayor Janet Holborow says improving access to quality health care and supporting community wellbeing are clear priorities for residents.

“While Council doesn't provide clinical health services, we have an important role in protecting public health, planning for growth, providing infrastructure that supports people to stay well, and in advocating for the services our community needs,” says Mayor Holborow.

“Our community has told us they want more local doctors, clinics and primary health services, 24/7 urgent care, and better access to hospital services.

“With our growing and ageing population, we need to make sure people can get the care and support they need locally.

“This strategy builds on the work we're already doing and gives us a clear direction for working with the right people to make health and wellbeing a priority for Kāpiti.”

The draft strategy focuses on five key areas:

• preventing ill health and supporting healthy lifestyles

• building a shared understanding of community health and wellbeing needs

• supporting better access to local primary and community health services

• improving access to after-hours and urgent care

• advocating for better access to hospital and specialist health services.

Mayor Holborow says the draft strategy has been shaped by community feedback and two years of work to build relationships with key health partners and stakeholders.

In 2024, Council received 93 submissions on its Health Strategy Direction of Travel, with more than 83 percent supporting at least one of the proposed areas of focus.

More recently, 469 submissions through Council’s early Long-term Plan engagement showed that 63 percent of submitters agreed health was a priority for our community. Feedback also highlighted the importance of recognising hauora Māori and the needs of communities who face barriers to accessing services.

“When we first asked for feedback two years ago, our community helped us identify who we needed to work with to develop the strategy,” says Mayor Holborow.

“We've spent that time building relationships with key partners, including the Kāpiti Health Advisory Group, Te Whatu Ora, our Primary Health Organisations and Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards to underpin the work in this draft.

“Now we want to hear from our community again, and local health networks and service providers. Health needs are constantly changing, and our strategy needs to be able to respond to those changes.

“We can't achieve this vision alone. We want to know whether we've got the focus right, what's missing, and what matters most to the people of Kāpiti.

“Your feedback will help us shape a strategy that reflects the needs and aspirations of our community and supports a healthy, liveable district now and into the future.”

Feedback on the draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy can be provided online, in person and on paper until midnight Wednesday 18 November 2026.

To read the draft strategy and share your feedback, visit haveyoursay.kapiticoast.govt.nz/HealthWellbeingStrategy