19901 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

19901 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Has he had any assurances that the clinical placement capacity for the proposed University of Waikato medical school will be net additional, as opposed to reallocated from existing placement capacity?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that the objective of the new medical school at the University of Waikato is to provide 120 additional clinical placements. Health New Zealand is working with the University of Waikato and other universities to plan for this additional capacity. Approval to Deliver 1 provided the assurance that there was capacity within the system to provide 120 additional placements. Approval to Deliver 2 will provide further detail on clinical placement plans for the additional students.