Health New Zealand was gifted the national name Te Whatu Ora.

Our Whanganui region is now known as Te Whatu Ora Whanganui.


The Maori Health Authority was gifted the name Te Aka Whai Ora.


The telephone number you ring to speak with someone at our Whanganui Hospital, remains the same 06 348 1234.

While our services will initially remain the same, there will be several changes for our communities to be aware of.

Our website address remains the same for now, www.wdhb.org.nz.

Our community will notice changes in how we look and in how we answer our telephone. Our website and social media will reflect our new name, colours are different and this may be confusing, we assure you, our teams continue to do their roles, covering the hospital mahi, telephone and social media in the same way.

Essentially, we have a new name but it’s business as usual for those seeking healthcare within our region.


Change of any kind can be hard to get used too, proposed changes directed by the Ministry of Health for our service will be slowly released to allow both staff and our communities time to absorb and implement them.

The overall goal is to provide an equitable healthcare service for all New Zealanders, with consultation between iwi, health authorities and government continuing to deliver a new and better way of healthcare.

As winter continues with its influx of flu’ and continuing concerns with COVID-19 cases, we ask our communities to continue to come to us in the same ways as previously.

Our goal is a healthy community, with easier access to healthcare.

Your first point of call for illness should be your GP. Alternatively, Healthline has a free, 24/7 number you can call, 0800 611 116, that offers free healthcare advice.