A Far North health provider has made the "very difficult decision" to close its after-hours services temporarily due to ongoing staff shortages.

There will be no doctor available on-site at Rawene Hospital after hours from 5pm to 8am Monday to Sunday, starting next week.

Hauora Hokianga announced the planned closure with "great reluctance" on Tuesday morning in a Facebook post by chief executive Margareth Broodkoorn.

"Over the past couple of years, Hauora Hokianga has been challenged with the recruitment of our health workforce and more recently is facing critical medical and nursing workforce issues which are impacting our ability to provide services.

Rural GP and Associate Dean Rural Health at Auckland University Dr Kyle Eggleton joined Kate Hawkesby to discuss.

LISTEN ABOVE