More than 2000 patients around Wellington will have to find a new doctor next year after the Hataitai Medical Practice shuts down.
The general practice will close on 28 March for an indefinite sabbatical.
The family-owned practice has operated for more than 40 years and two generations.
Dr Philip Wong said patients would have to enrol with other GPs across the city.
"They'll be distributed amongst the available GP colleagues within the Wellington region in the short term, and they've got some months of lead time in which to do that," Dr Wong said.
He said that although the main reason for the closure was for a sabbatical, there were also a number of business reasons.
"On that sabbatical we'll be stopping to contemplate and reflect and definitely to continue education, we'll still want to continue to further ourselves and essentially we'll be taking time to do so. To reflect on the years and decades of work that we've done and the amazing people we've served in this community for such a long time."
"We're also a business owner and it's quite a complicated conversation that may involve how small businesses function in New Zealand, Dr Wong said.
"We don't make these decisions independently and we don't make them lightly."
He was unsure how much space other GPs in the area would have for taking on patients.
"There will be bits of availability from the other practices, specifically I don't know. We're just providing the best service as we can as front line general practitioners.
"It's hard to speak on the other general practitioners.... From that point of view I think we're doing as best as we can within the system that we work in.
"We know there are multiple sectors that are under considerable pressure, we've all got our own pressures but we're fronting up to those pressures as best as we can."
Tū Ora Compass Health chief executive Justine Thorpe said the practice had been a massive asset to the community.
"The family-owned business has been a linchpin of the Hataitai community for many years over two generations of GPs. We wish the owners all the best for their sabbatical and thank them for their dedication and hard work over the years," Thorpe said.
"We have several practices within Wellington, including city practices that have more than enough capacity for those currently enrolled at Hataitai. Patients will need to call the new practice to enrol. Information will be sent to all patients to support them with this process.
"We know it's a challenging time for Primary Health care, and we will continue to work with and support our practice network to ensure it remains sustainable."