New Medical School Training Network Targets Regional Doctor Shortages

Health Minister Simeon Brown said the decision will help create a stronger connection between medical education and the communities facing the greatest workforce pressures.

The regions that will host clinical training for the University of Waikato's new medical school from 2028 have been officially confirmed, marking a major step in New Zealand's efforts to grow its healthcare workforce and improve access to medical services outside major cities.

Health Minister Simeon Brown said the decision will help create a stronger connection between medical education and the communities facing the greatest workforce pressures. Research has consistently shown that doctors are more likely to work in the regions where they complete their training, making regional placements an important part of addressing long-term shortages.

Students enrolled at the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine will complete their first year at the University of Waikato before spending three years undertaking clinical training in one of five regions: Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki/Whanganui, Hawke's Bay, and Nelson/Marlborough.

Training will take place in major regional hospitals including Waikato Hospital, Tauranga Hospital, Taranaki Base Hospital, Whanganui Hospital, Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Nelson Hospital and Wairau Hospital, alongside placements in surrounding communities.

New programme aims to keep doctors closer to home

The medical school will add 120 graduate-entry medical students each year, increasing New Zealand's capacity to train doctors domestically. A key feature of the programme is its focus on allowing students, particularly those from regional and rural areas, to remain close to their home communities throughout much of their education. Students will gain experience across hospitals, general practice clinics and community health services, giving them exposure to a broad range of healthcare settings.

Brown said the approach is designed to strengthen primary care services and help build a sustainable pipeline of doctors for areas that often struggle to attract and retain medical professionals. The training model draws on successful international examples where students spend significant periods learning in community-based healthcare environments rather than remaining solely in large urban hospitals.

Nationwide placement network to support future workforce growth

Alongside the confirmation of training regions, the Government has announced the creation of a national distributed clinical placement network that will support students from the Universities of Waikato, Auckland and Otago.

Developed in partnership with Health New Zealand and the three universities, the network will coordinate clinical placements across the country and help expand training opportunities as student numbers grow.

Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey said the initiative includes the establishment of Community Clinical Learning Centres in smaller towns, creating more opportunities for students to train directly within rural communities.

The centres will complement the Government's rural training hubs programme, which provides educational pathways, placements and support services for future healthcare workers.

Doocey said training health professionals in rural areas increases the likelihood they will remain there after graduation, helping strengthen frontline healthcare services where demand is often greatest.

The Government believes the combination of regional medical training, community-based learning and a coordinated national placement system will play a key role in developing the next generation of doctors and improving healthcare access across New Zealand.