Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury is responsible for planning, organising, providing and purchasing hospital and community health services for the large and highly populated region of Canterbury. The Canterbury health system is part of the larger national Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora health system.

It has extensive responsibilities for workforce development, training and professional development across a range of registered health professional groups and other health workers. This includes providing students from a variety of tertiary education providers including the University of Otago, Ara and the University of Canterbury with educational opportunities in clinical settings.

Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury’s participation in Te Papa Hauora Health Precinct includes co-locating its researchers, educators and health staff with students and staff from Ara and the University of Canterbury in the Health Precinct flagship building Manawa, which is across the road from Christchurch Hospital the South Island’s major tertiary centre.