Hard on the heels of the visit by our Taiwanese guests (see separate story here), Whakauae also received a whirlwind visit from Professor James Smith, who was also in the country to attend the World Rural Health Conference, where he presented Supporting the professional development of the remote primary health care workforce in the Northern Territory, Australia: An evaluation of the Project ECHO pilot. Despite having visited Aotearoa on numerous occasions Prof Smith had, by his own admission “never made it south of Taupo”. His visit with us provided a valuable opportunity to share insights into our respective research and to explore shared understandings, challenges, and aspirations relating to Indigenous health.
Professor Smith is the Matthew Flinders Professor of Health and Social Equity and Co Director of the FHMRI Health Equity Impact Program at Flinders University. An applied social health researcher, he brings more than 20 years’ experience across rural and remote health policy, practice, and research in South Australia and the Northern Territory, with a strong focus on improving health and education outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. James has been a colleague of Whakauae Director Dr Amohia Boulton for many years, due to their shared interest in Indigenous health equity. Most recently James and Amohia worked together on the NHMRC-funded Commissioning Indigenous Evaluations Study, which concluded at the end of 2025 (see separate story here).
During his April visit, Professor Smith and the Whakauae team explored the challenges of securing funding that adequately responds to the needs of Indigenous populations, alongside the distinct challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. Despite contextual differences, it quickly became clear that there are many shared experiences when working within Indigenous communities.
We thank James for spending time with us on his trip and wish him luck as he travels around Aotearoa.
Hard on the heels of the visit by our Taiwanese guests (see separate story here), Whakauae also received a whirlwind visit from Professor James Smith, who was also in the country to attend the World Rural Health Conference, where he presented Supporting the professional development of the remote primary health care workforce in the Northern Territory, Australia: An evaluation of the Project ECHO pilot. Despite having visited Aotearoa on numerous occasions Prof Smith had, by his own admission “never made it south of Taupo”. His visit with us provided a valuable opportunity to share insights into our respective research and to explore shared understandings, challenges, and aspirations relating to Indigenous health.
Professor Smith is the Matthew Flinders Professor of Health and Social Equity and Co Director of the FHMRI Health Equity Impact Program at Flinders University. An applied social health researcher, he brings more than 20 years’ experience across rural and remote health policy, practice, and research in South Australia and the Northern Territory, with a strong focus on improving health and education outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. James has been a colleague of Whakauae Director Dr Amohia Boulton for many years, due to their shared interest in Indigenous health equity. Most recently James and Amohia worked together on the NHMRC-funded Commissioning Indigenous Evaluations Study, which concluded at the end of 2025 (see separate story here).
During his April visit, Professor Smith and the Whakauae team explored the challenges of securing funding that adequately responds to the needs of Indigenous populations, alongside the distinct challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. Despite contextual differences, it quickly became clear that there are many shared experiences when working within Indigenous communities.
We thank James for spending time with us on his trip and wish him luck as he travels around Aotearoa.
