PCBC is a collective representative service run by ProCare and supported by some of the most experienced primary care leaders and employment relations specialists.
Register for PCBC representation at MECA in 2026
For the past four years, PCBC has represented general practices through MECA and PSAAP processes, supporting practices to navigate complex bargaining requirements and sector changes. As our Network owns general practices and directly employs nurses, GPs and primary care teams, we understand the financial, operational and workforce impacts. Our service seeks to work for the collective benefit of general practice and the patients we all serve.
Practices can choose to register for MECA or PSAAP representation, or both.
Why choose PCBC to represent your practice?
Our strength comes from pragmatic, first‑hand experience owning and running general practices, combined with decades of strong, vocal advocacy on behalf of practices across Aotearoa.
We hold long‑standing, influential relationships with senior health leaders nationwide, giving us a clear and credible voice with decision‑makers on funding and system‑level issues.
Our team includes some of New Zealand’s most experienced primary care leaders, supported by experts in bargaining, negotiation, and navigating complex processes.
We work closely with a diverse cross‑section of practices: rural and urban, large and small, VLCA and non‑VLCA. Their insights ensure our positions are balanced, evidence‑informed, and grounded in the realities practices face.
MECA Bargaining
The current Primary HealthCare Multi Employer Collective Agreement (PHC MECA), which covers hundreds of primary healthcare employers, expires on 30 June 2026. As a result, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) has initiated bargaining for a new collective agreement.
Bargaining will first be initiated with the employers currently covered by the agreement, but NZNO may also choose to initiate bargaining with employers who are not currently covered. If your practice receives a notice initiating bargaining from NZNO, you have statutory obligations under the Employment Relations Act.
This means you must participate in bargaining, either by attending all the bargaining meetings yourself and participating in discussions, or by appointing an authorised representative, such as PCBC. Bargaining meetings can involve many days of meetings over several months, sometimes years, depending on the issues being negotiated.
During bargaining, both the union (NZNO) and the employers (and their representatives) must bargain in good faith. This includes considering and responding to each other’s proposals, continuing discussions even if a deadlock is reached on one or more of the issues, and working towards concluding a new collective agreement, unless there are genuine reasons not to.
Whether you are represented by PCBC or represent yourself, once a settlement is reached, you will need to decide whether you are prepared to ratify and become party to the new collective agreement.
If you disagree and choose not to ratify the agreement, you have the right not to become party to it. If this happens, NZNO has the right to discuss the proposed agreement with you directly to see if they can address your concerns or change your mind. However, the final decision will be yours.
Where we come in:
PCBC can act as your authorised employer representative, managing the process on your behalf and ensuring:
- Your practice meets its legal obligations
- Your interests are represented collectively
- You receive clear, practical guidance throughout bargaining
- You receive support with implementation once bargaining concludes
Register your practice for PCBC representation at MECA in 2026
Read the full terms and conditions
Cost: 10c per enrolled patient (ESU) per annum. Your ESU total will be confirmed by you at the time of registration.
PSAAP
PSAAP (the PHO Services Agreement Amendment Protocol) is the document that outlines the key arrangements relating to the contracts that PHOs hold for the provision of services to their local populations, and the corresponding agreements that PHOs hold with their general practices and other providers known as the PHO Services Agreement (PHOSA).
The PSAAP forum is the place where proposed capitation uplifts are consulted on. It also has a function of information sharing and discussion of issues that may have a consequential impact on parties to the agreement.
Most decisions at PSAAP are made by consensus. On rare occasions when issues are referred for negotiation, four Contracted Provider negotiators will be appointed by the nominated Contracted Provider agents (general practices) to represent the interests of all Contracted Providers.
Where we come in:
PCBC can act as a Contracted Provider agent to represent you in this process. PSAAP representation is now available free of charge to all general practices, regardless of whether they use PCBC for MECA representation or belong to any specific PHO.
Sign up to our PSAAP representation service.
View the PSAAP ‘why and how’ document from the Secretariat.
View the Agent Organisation Summary dossier.
