The Whanau Ora model has proved to be successful for one Tikipunga health clinic that has gained 100 new patients per month.
Whanau Ora is a cross-government work programme implemented by the Ministry of Health, Te Puni Kokiri and the Ministry of Social Development that's starting to have success in Whangarei and the rest of the region, with Maori families particularly benefiting.
Dr Aniva Lawrence, a GP at Te Whareora O Tikipunga, said focusing on whanau as a whole, rather than individuals, was working well for the clinic.
"We're gaining about 100 new patients per month," she said.
"A lot of it is word of mouth, some people are changing clinics and for some it's the closest Whanau Ora clinic with an open roll."