Workstreams focus on meeting the health needs and improving outcomes of specific populations or groups, such as rural or mental health. The purpose varies based on their population and may oversee project work carried out by other alliance groups (service level alliances, service development groups or working groups).

The membership of a workstream will include urban and rural professionals who participate (e.g. referrers or providers) in the relevant services, those who work in key related services, management from relevant health organisations and others who bring important perspective such as consumer, Māori, Pacific, migrant and rural voices.