Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners have launched a joint campaign to attract more international general practitioners to Aotearoa, aiming to shore up GP numbers across urban and rural communities.
The partnership is designed to make it easier for overseas doctors to understand the roles, pathways and support available to become practising GPs in New Zealand. A new suite of resources and video testimonials, released today, offers practical insights into day‑to‑day clinical work, workforce pathways and lifestyle opportunities from major centres to remote parts of the motu.
College President Dr Luke Bradford says the initiative arrives at a critical moment. He highlights the professionalism and purpose of general practice and the privilege of delivering continuity of care in communities large and small. The campaign, he says, showcases the clinical autonomy, professional development and community connection that general practice offers.
Health New Zealand Acting Director Living Well Astuti Balram emphasises that the work reflects a whole‑of‑system approach. “Health NZ is about the whole health system — not just specialist hospital services. We are delighted to be working with the college to attract more UK‑trained doctors to become NZ GPs,” she said.
The campaign sits alongside existing efforts to strengthen primary and rural care, including funding to support up to 50 New Zealand‑trained graduate doctors each year to train in primary care settings. Together, the partners say, these measures form a coordinated, long‑term approach to international recruitment that supports workforce sustainability.
Materials developed for the campaign are aligned with Health New Zealand’s international recruitment programme and are intended to respond to growing interest in community‑based specialist roles within a team‑focused health system. The resources aim to demystify the transition for overseas doctors, clarifying credentialing, training pathways and the supports available for relocation and integration into New Zealand practice.
The campaign positions New Zealand as a destination where doctors can practise high‑quality, specialist medicine while enjoying a world‑class lifestyle and a health system built around teamwork and continuity of care. Officials say the partnership will be monitored to ensure it helps meet workforce needs across both metropolitan and regional areas.