A farming couple outside of Dargaville are so fed up with the lack of health services in the area they have purchased a building with plans to set up a health clinic.
Dargaville has no dentist, optometrist and the local medical centre is so stretched for staff, locals need to drive an hour to Whangarei if they need medical attention on a Sunday.
Pouto farmers Julie and Rodney Cotton say for many in their community there are huge barriers to making the two-hour round trip for basic healthcare.
Kaipara District Mayor Craig Jepson and Julie Cotton join Kathryn to discuss the issue and what can be done about it.
Julie Cotton in front of the Dargaville building she hopes to turn into a healthcare space Photo: Julie Cotton
