Waikato will become home to New Zealand’s third medical school, with Cabinet approving the business case for the new school and the establishment of a graduate-entry medical programme at the University of Waikato, MP for Taupō Louise Upston says.

“Myself, along with past and current colleagues, have been advocating for a medical school in the Waikato for many years, so it’s exciting to see it come to fruition,” says Ms Upston.

“For communities like Tokoroa, Taupō, and Tūrangi, this means more opportunities for local students to train as doctors and better access to healthcare. It’s a practical, long-term investment in rural health that will make a real difference on the ground.

“The new Waikato medical school represents a significant investment in the health workforce and will help address longstanding workforce shortages, particularly in rural and regional areas.

“The school will have a strong focus on primary care and rural health, supporting the Government’s priority of improving access to timely, quality healthcare across the country.

“It will deliver a more flexible pathway into medicine with a graduate-entry programme, attracting a broader range of students and building a stronger, more diverse workforce.”

The Government has committed $82.85 million to the project, alongside more than $150 million in funding from the University of Waikato and philanthropic partners.

Construction and planning for new teaching facilities and clinical placements will begin shortly, with the programme expected to provide 120 new doctor training places per year from 2028.

The announcement builds on the Government’s wider investment in the health workforce, including 100 additional medical school places being added across the University of Auckland and the University of Otago over the term of this Government, and recent expansion of nursing, pharmacy, and midwifery programmes.

“This is a major milestone for the region and a step forward in strengthening New Zealand’s health system,” says Ms Upston.

“It reflects this Government’s commitment to investing in regional growth, delivering better health outcomes, and ensuring more people have the opportunity to study and train closer to home.”

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