It wasn't easy being a GP in 1986. "In 1986, most people were still putting their dollars in a shoebox under the front desk. It was very unusual to have a computer in a surgery back then. So you've got to remember, it was a very different world," - Canterbury GP.
In 1990 Canterbury GPs formed a co-op and bought a building in Gloucester Street to initiate after-hours care.
Jim Bolger was the Prime Minister of New Zealand leading a National government. "The impetus for Pegasus Health came from the government’s 1991 green and white health reform papers that recommended a competitive, quasi market approach to providing health services. It was a winners and losers approach and as part of it they wrote to GPs and said we’re not satisfied with the existing arrangement and want to contract with you individually, " Dr Paul McCormack
The Pegasus Health mission statement for the 1990s was "The promotion of best clinical practice with optimal and ethical use of finite resources."
Athlete Barbara Kendall burst into national prominence by winning gold in boardsailing at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and became one of New Zealand's best performed female Olympians.
It was Thursday 13 August 1992. The early Pegasus pioneers brought together the majority of Christchurch GPs to form an Independent Practitioner Association (IPA).
The foundation was originally established in Australia by the Kiwi-born ophthalmologist (eye doctor) to treat eye problems in poorer countries. It was launched in New Zealand in October 1992. Within six years 200,000 people had their sight restored via cataract surgery.
Between 1983 and 1993 the Government established 14 Area Health Boards (AHBs) in New Zealand. Funding was based on a population formula.
In July 1993 the National-led Government introduced some major structural changes to the New Zealand health system.
In 1993 four Regional Health Authorities were established by the Government.