Kiri Henry lives deep in the heart of Tuhoe country – surrounded by verdant hills and bird song, but with not a neighbour in sight.

When patient Whiti Fletcher went to Kaitaia Hospital's renal unit for her regular dialysis, she had the complication of chest pains.

On the rural West Coast, a trip to the GP traditionally involved a long drive – and seeing a hospital specialist could require several hours on the road each way.