"It also builds on our existing strategy of having a healthy, productive, innovative, export-orientated regional economy that will support better paying jobs and better quality of life.
"We're looking forward to providing a range of services in South Taranaki and bringing the services to the rural areas where they're needed."
Patea Medical Trust chairman Brett Honeyfield says the purchase is the best possible outcome for all parties.
"Now that we've found someone who wants to run a medical practice in Patea, we are confident this is going to be to the benefit of the community here."
The original trust formed to purchase the practice from a private GP in 1991, using community donations.
The trust spent the next nine years working voluntarily to keep doctors in the town and in 2000 a new charitable trust was formed and continued that work. In recent years the challenge to find and keep a GP in Patea has proven difficult.
Brett says the supervision requirements for overseas qualified practitioners excluded many good doctors, and the lack of back-up and support available to a sole-charge doctor in a small town was off-putting to potential candidates.
"This is where Ngati Ruanui taking over is of great benefit as they have the ability to provide that supervision and support."
Ngati Ruanui take over the centre on August 1.
