Foucauldian discourse analysis is used to examine data from a healthcare participation process in rural communities.

Two key discourses included an incomer/local discourse, and a discourse of rural tradition relating to local practitioners.

Discourses drew on idealised notions of rural authenticity and were used by participants to prioritise some contributions.

Participants used discourses to establish themselves and their ideas as being representative of the ‘real’ rural community.

This paper highlights complex power relations at play within remote and rural communities during an engagement process.