19894 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

19894 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What operational changes, if any, are planned to support graduates of the proposed University of Waikato medical school into employment in rural and primary care settings?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that the University of Waikato’s focus is on developing a curriculum to support students in rural and primary care settings. As part of this, there will be longer term clinical placements in rural and primary care settings. The location selection is currently underway, which includes prioritising places in smaller areas that can support the programme and benefit from more graduates working in primary care. The funding model for the development of the new medical school includes PGY1 and 2 placements which will increase the overall number of PGY1 and PGY2 doctors in the system and with the development of the primary care pathway, more PGY2 placements will become available in primary care settings.