Digital-first healthcare provider Tend Healthcare has announced plans to acquire the medical division of Green Cross Health, The Doctors, for $270 million. 

Green Cross Health has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement to sell the division, subject to adjustments, including for net debt and net working capital. 

The Doctors serves the largest enrolled patient base in New Zealand, with a network of 65 clinics delivering co-ordinated primary care to more than 400,000 enrolled patients. 

Tend Health is also a primary care provider in New Zealand, delivering GP services through a network of 25 clinics for more than 150,000 patients, alongside its nationwide digital platform. 

Tend Health co-chief executive and co-founder James Robinson said the move was an important moment for Tend, and when completed, for the future of primary care in Aotearoa. 

“The Doctors is a well-established community healthcare provider, with strong relationships across the communities they serve. 

“Our focus is on enhancing care and health outcomes, while supporting continuity for patients, clinical teams and local communities,” Robinson said. 

“With the backing of iwi and other leading New Zealand investors, Tend has the opportunity to maintain local ownership of this important primary care infrastructure, while continuing to build a long-term healthcare business focused on supporting access, improving patient health outcomes and sustainable primary care.” 

Cecilia Robinson, James Robinson, Josh Robb, Dr. Mataroria Lyndon, the co-founders of Tend Health. 

Tend Health co-chief executive Cecilia Robinson said she had been working on the acquisition since earlier this year. 

“It’s something that has been of interest to us for quite some time. 

“Obviously we’ve worked really closely with iwi over the last few years, and we’re really thrilled to be able to bring our iwi partners even closer in as part of this deal,” Robinson said. 

“We can really see this proposed investment reflecting a strong commitment from New Zealand investors and iwi for the long-term of primary care in this country.” 

The acquisition is not the first for Tend, with the provider previously acquiring Symonds Street Medical Centre, Pakūranga Medical Centre and South Island-based general practice service Better Health, among others. 

Robinson said Tend’s previous experience integrating smaller networks would be applicable to The Doctors’ wider clinic count, and she was comfortable in Tend’s institutional knowledge to make the transition as pain-free as possible. 

“We’re feeling really enthusiastic, and the reality is that our data is telling us that the impact that Tend is having in our communities is significant. 

“We took over a rural practice in Ashburton, and within a few weeks their wait times had gone down from 26 days to five days on average. We were able to streamline their administration burden and reduce it by 50%. 

“I genuinely believe that New Zealand can have one of the best health systems in the world. It needs investment, it needs co-ordination, and it needs to not be fragmented. I think that’s a lot of the skillset and competence that the team can bring.” 

Tend Health CEO Cecilia Robinson. 

Ngāi Tahu Holdings, an existing shareholder in Tend, is supporting the proposed transaction and will increase its shareholding in Tend. 

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is also increasing its stake as a key iwi partner and shareholder, alongside new shareholder Nāti Growth and existing shareholder Ahuahu Group. 

The deal is expected to take iwi ownership from a minority shareholding to one of the largest. 

Ngāi Tahu Holdings chief executive Todd Moyle said: “Ngāi Tahu Holdings was excited to support a New Zealand owned business that is building a technology enabled platform to improve access, patient experience and health outcomes”. 

“Over the past few years, Tend has continued to invest in technology that supports primary care, with a focus on improving access, patient experience and continuity of care.” 

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei chief executive Lisa Davis said Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei was proud to support Tend’s next phase of growth. 

“We’re already seeing positive impacts through our partnership with Tend and are excited about what could be achieved together in the future,” Davis said. 

“We see primary care as critical social infrastructure, and this proposed acquisition reflects our commitment to long-term investments that are responsive to the needs of whānau, communities and patients across the motu.” 

Green Cross Health said the deal will allow it to refocus on its core pharmacy business, under the Unichem and Life Pharmacy brands. 

The sale of The Doctors is conditional on approval from Green Cross Health’s shareholders, which will be sought at a July meeting. 

Subject to the satisfaction of the shareholder approval condition, the sale is expected to be completed at the end of July 2026. 

Following completion, Green Cross Health’s board will consider options for the most efficient use of the sale proceeds, which may include retaining some proceeds to invest in the growth of its pharmacy division and a distribution or return of capital to shareholders. 

The company said the sale would enable it to refocus on its core pharmacy business, which operates a network of pharmacies throughout New Zealand under the Unichem and Life Pharmacy brands. 

Green Cross Health has been approached for comment. 

Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.