A clinician who redesigned an alcohol and drug programme that more than tripled completion rates and helped participants improve their health, relationships and confidence has been named the Supreme Winner of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora's 2026 Allied Health Awards.
Barbara Pike, from Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS) in Waitematā, was recognised for developing CHIME, an innovative group programme that provides people with a welcoming, non-judgemental environment to explore their substance use and take their first steps towards recovery.
With completion rates increasing from 23 percent to 74 percent, CHIME is helping more people engage with treatment and make lasting positive changes in their lives.
The 2026 Allied Health Awards were held on Allied Health Professions Day, October 14, recognising excellence and innovation across our second-largest clinical workforce.
More than 14,000 staff across 43 professions deliver vital services in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation throughout the country.
These awards honour their expertise and the impact they make every day for patients and whānau.
Each district held local awards, with winners submitted for national consideration.
A judging panel of representatives from the Ministry of Health, unions and sector leaders selected our national category winners and overall Supreme Award recipient.
Barbara was acknowledged for her work in redesigning the alcohol and drug programme.
She brought together staff and people who had used the service to identify what was working, what wasn't, and how the programmes could be made more accessible, engaging and effective.
The national awards ceremony was held at the AUT South Campus in Auckland and attended by finalists from across the country with teams gathering in their districts to watch a livestream.
Other winners were chosen for their commitment to making a positive contribution to equity, inspiring and leading others in clinical practice, collaborating with other professionals, showing outstanding potential through clinical excellence, and improving access to quality health services for rural communities.
“It has been a challenging period for the health system, and I know that what has been asked of people across Health New Zealand has been significant,” says Mark Darrow, Health New Zealand Board Chair and awards presenter.
“Through all of that, we continue to see amazing people doing amazing things for patients, whānau and communities every day.
“That is why events like this matter. We need to pause at times and recognise the achievements, the innovation and the quiet leadership that happens right across the system, often away from public view and often under real pressure.
“The allied health, scientific and technical workforce is fundamental to the care New Zealanders receive.
“The theme for this year, Better Health Together, is exactly right. The best outcomes come when people work together, across professions, services and communities, with patients and whānau at the centre of that work.”
The Allied Health Scientific and Technical workforce includes more than 40 professions working across hospitals, communities, homes, schools and specialist services.
These professions support prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and ongoing care for New Zealanders.
They work across the life course and across all clinical specialties within hospitals and community settings.
This workforce contributes to around 80 percent of diagnosis through physiological, cognitive or psychological measurement, radiological imaging and laboratory testing.
They also oversee medicines reconciliation and management, and lead rehabilitation and support that enables safe early discharge of patients after illness, injury, life changing or life preserving surgery or treatment.
Notes to editor:
2026 Health New Zealand Allied Health Awards winners
- Equity Award: Ophthalmology Allied Health Clinical Team, Counties Manukau
- Leadership Award: Stacey Neilson, Clinical Physiologist, Lakes
- Quality Improvement and Innovation in Practice Award: Barbara Pike, Psychologist, Waitematā
- Supporting Education in Practice Award: Clare Roberts, Occupational Therapist, Counties Manukau
- Interprofessional Practice Award: Community Alcohol and Other Drugs Regional Services, Waitematā
- Emerging Practitioner: Nari-Jane Guthrie, Physiotherapist, Te Toka Tumai
- Rural Healthcare Champion: Margaret Tahere, Dental Therapist, Te Tai Tokerau
- Supreme winner: Barbara Pike, Psychologist, Waitematā