Abstract: A nurses working party was formed by the primary health care SSDG in 1979 to investigate the feasibility of integrated community based nursing services. A six month trial was held in a mainly urban area (population 5637) testing these ideas in 1980. Using the existing time of the four nursing services in the area a team approach was used with all nurses being responsible to a coordinating nurse. The present role of the public nurse and district nurse was integrated – this new nurse was called a community health nurse. These two nurses worked from a base located in te trial area. Liaison and coordination were established with the Plunket and practice nurse. The results of the trial enabled the primary health care SSDG to prepare a plan on community based nursing services