General Executive

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Kia Ora koutou! My name is Rosie and I’m in my fourth year of medicine based at Waikato Hospital this year!  I grew up in the (not-so) mighty Timaru, and with family across the lower South Island I’m definitely a small town girl at heart. Up in Auckland I’ve got myself involved in all things rural health, from the Grassroots team, through to teaching and rural research. I love the rural community at uni and advocating for our regional and rural students. I’m passionate about contributing to rural communities in my work in the future and encouraging other students to do the same.  Outside of uni, I’m a huge fan of the outdoors and am looking forward to living out my tramping, camping, adventure dreams this year away from the big smoke. I’m always up for chat (seriously I can talk to anyone for ages haha) so don’t hesitate to come say hi If you want to get in touch, you can email president@grassroots.org.nz

Tēnā koe, I’m Sara! Being Taranaki raised (hardcore!) and spending the past four years in the big smoke, I’m realising you can take the girl away from the local dairy ice creams, but you can't take that feeling out of the girl. I miss the salty air, muddy knees, and the kind of community where everyone's waving and down for a yarn. Grassroots felt like exactly what I was missing, and I'm stoked to be your VPE this year! Together, we will teach Aucklangi true kiwi slang.

Email me! communications@grassroots.org.nz

I am Genevieve, a third-year medical student with a love for running, the outdoors, and (slightly obsessively) staying organised. Although I am not from New Zealand, my roots are in rural South Africa. Growing up as a farmer’s daughter, I witnessed firsthand the stark disparities in healthcare between rural and urban communities. This shaped my passion for advocating for underserved communities and working toward more equitable access to healthcare.  Grassroots is where these passions come together. It is an inspiring platform that raises awareness of important issues in rural and underserved health, and I am excited to work alongside you all to make 2026 a successful and impactful year for the club.

Kia Ora! My name is Billie Le Mesurier-Cowbourne and I’m your treasurer for 2026!

I’m a fourth year medical student, and this year I’m heading back home to Northland for placement at Whangārei hospital. 

I’m really passionate about promoting rural health and supporting students interested in rural medicine. I was one of the RRAS Reps last year and I’m looking forward to being apart of the Grassroots team again in 2026. 

Outside of medicine, I love being outdoors, especially tramping or running around on a hockey pitch.

Kia ora, ko Jesse tōku ingoa, he uri tēnei nō Ngāpuhi. I am a Grassroots MAPAS Representative for 2026 and a fourth-year MBChB student. Born and raised in the Karetu Valley, the Bay of Islands is my home in every sense of the word.

My goal is to return to Te Tai Tokerau to practise as a doctor and give back to the communities that have shaped me. I am committed to championing equity for Māori and rural New Zealanders and to strengthening whakawhanaungatanga for ngā tauira, the future of rural health in Aotearoa."

Pō mārie,
Jess

Kia Ora! 

Ko te Atua O Taiehu te mauka

Ko Ōtākou te awa

Ko Tākitimu ko Uruao kā waka 

Ko Ōtākou te marae

Ko Kai Tahu, ko Kāti Māmoe, ko Waitaha kā iwi

Ko Kati Moki, ko Kāi te Pahi, ko Kāi te Ruahiki, ko Kāri Taoka kā hapū

Ko Molly tōku ingoa

I was born and raised in Ōtautahi, spent a lot of my childhood in Hokitika and now my whānau currently resides in the whop whops of Tauranga. I am a 3rd year med student who loves the out doors, going off grid and escaping the concrete jungle. I am super excited to weave Te Āo Māori into all things rural health this year along side Jesse! Bring on 2026

We’re Sam and Riya, your Grassroots Social Reps for 2026. We’re both 3rd-year medical students who grew up rurally, Sam from the beach town of Ōpunake in Taranaki, and Riya from Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty. Raised where the nearest shop is 20km away, we know how to make an event worth travelling for. We’re excited to keep Grassroots events fun, inclusive, and well-run, giving the rural sector the attention it deserves. Growing up where everyone knows everyone, we’re ready to bring that same sense of community to Grassroots, and we can’t wait to see you all at the events this year!!!   

Hi everyone! We’re Charlotte and Sanskruti, third-year medical students and your Sports and Welfare reps for this year. We both share a passion for rural healthcare and are really excited to be part of a group that represents rural communities in Aotearoa!! We’re so looking forward to working alongside the wider Grassroots team and helping create a year full of fun, inclusive events and strong support for everyone involved.

Kia Ora! My name is Ethan and I have the honour of being one of your education reps this year alongside Omar.  I’m currently in my third year of medicine, and despite being born and raised in the heart of Tamaki Makaurau I’ve developed a keen interest in rural health.  With this in mind, Omar and I aim to foster a culture that promotes involvement in the rural scene to all FMHS students.  Looking forward to seeing you all get amongst it.

Kia ora whānau, I’m Omar, a 3rd year med student and one of your edu reps for 2026. My goal this year is to make sure no one in FMHS suffers academically (except me). Despite my strong rural background (went to school 5 mins away from Grafton campus) I'm passionate about rural health and along with Ethan we will make sure the rural scene in FMHS is accessible and friendly to all.

Kia ora everyone

We are Kyran Fawkner and Jade Askin, your new RRAS reps for 2026! Both of us originate from places smaller than Auckland, Jade coming from a farm near Feilding, and Kyran from New Plymouth. Last year we both really enjoyed all the fun that grassroots had to offer and we are super excited about being able continue this in 2026.

Along the way we hope to meet more awesome people who share our keen interest in rural Healthcare. This year is gonna full of (hopefully) great tutorials and many cool events. We can't wait to get to know you guys! 

Kia Ora, I’m Sophie. I’m stoked to be your rural stream rep this year. I grew up on a farm in Tamahere, studied down South, and am now based in Tamaki Makaurau as I head into my third year of medicine. I got involved with Grassroots as I’m passionate about increasing engagement with rural medicine within our cohort, and the wider medical community. The trips, tutorials, and community I found within the rural stream last year were one of my absolute highlights, and I look forward to building on that strong foundation for the year to come. I’m always here to reach out to if you want to get in touch!

Hi everyone! I’m Alina, the Pharmacy Rep for Grassroots 2026

I’m in my third year of Pharmacy this year and so excited to be part of a team that’s

passionate about rural health. Having grown up rurally, both in Nepal and New

Zealand, I’ve come to really value rural healthcare and would love to give back to

the kind of communities that have inspired me to pursue health in the first place.

Pharmacy isn’t often talked about enough in rural settings, but it plays such an

important role, so I’d love to help advocate for it and support students in any way

I can. Can’t wait to meet you all and looking forward to an awesome year ahead :)

Kia ora! I’m Georgia, your 2026 nursing representative. I’m a third-year nursing student from rural Bay of Plenty. I love long yarns, cooking, crocheting, and spending time outdoors (very much grandma hobbies, I know). I’m excited to combine my passion for nursing with my love for all things rural. If you’re a nursing student even slightly curious about escaping the city or supporting rural communities, Grassroots is for you. Feel free to reach out, I’m always keen for a chat and to meet like-minded people!

Kia ora koutou katoa! We are Sean (from East Auckland) and Michael (from Rotorua), your Grassroots Medical Imaging Representatives. We both share a keen interest in rural healthcare and are thrilled to have this opportunity to make a positive impact by bringing to light the many challenges rural communities face when accessing healthcare. We look forward to working alongside the rest of the Grassroots team this year!