36697 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Vocational Education

36697 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Vocational Education: Has the Minister received advice from the Tertiary Education Commission about the new Waikato Medical School; if so, did its most recent advice indicate there was an increased risk to Waikato University’s financial position if the school was approved?

Hon Penny Simmonds: Yes, I have received advice from the Tertiary Education Commission regarding the Waikato Medical School. The TEC’s most recent advice noted that Waikato’s financial position saw a marked improvement in 2024 and that its 2025 performance signalled a further strengthening of this position. The TEC noted that while this project would technically increase the overall risk to Waikato’s financial sustainability, it has the headroom to manage shocks, and its management team has previously demonstrated an ability to implement the required actions to respond to financial pressures as they arise.