A Bay of Plenty mental health and wellbeing service that supports thousands of people each year is in the running for a major national health award.

Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOP PHO) BeingWell programme was named one of two finalists for Best Mental Health Programme at the 2026 New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards | He Tohu Mauri Ora.

The Bay of Plenty programme was named as a finalist in the Key Health Outcomes category, a media release from the WBOP PHO said.

BeingWell provides free mental health and wellbeing support through general practices, hauora providers and community settings across the Bay of Plenty.

Health improvement practitioners and health coaches work alongside general practice teams, with counselling and social work support also available.

The service is available to more than 210,000 people through 34 general practices.

In 2025, 8820 people used BeingWell, resulting in nearly 29,000 visits with health improvement practitioners and health coaches.

Since 2023, the number of people using the service has increased by 38%, while visits have grown by 80%.

More than 83% of people were seen within a week.

WBOP PHO general manager of hauora Māori, equity and community wellbeing, Kiri Peita, said the recognition highlighted the impact of BeingWell and the collaborative approach behind its growth.

“Our health improvement practitioners, health coaches, counselling co-ordination team, social workers, general practice teams and community partners work together every day to support and provide compassionate care to tangata whaiora and whānau,” Peita said in a media release.

“We are proud to see this locally developed, co-designed and integrated approach recognised nationally.”

The awards recognise excellence, innovation and collaboration across primary health care in Aotearoa.

This year, 150 entries were received across 22 categories, with two finalists selected in each.

Winners will be announced on October 17.