Construction begins on Waikato medical school

Ground has officially been broken on the Waikato’s new medical school, marking a major milestone in the Government’s plan to train more GPs and bolster access to primary healthcare across regional New Zealand.

Health Minister Simeon Brown and Universities Minister Dr Shane Reti say construction of the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine represents a significant long-term investment in medical education and the future health of rural and regional communities.

“Today’s sod-turning on the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine is a significant step forward for the University of Waikato, for regional development, and most importantly for the future of primary care in regional New Zealand,” Brown says.

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

Cabinet approved the business case in July, allowing the University to progress new teaching facilities and begin planning clinical placements for the graduate-entry programme. The model is designed to attract a broader range of students into medicine and support a more flexible, diverse workforce.

Brown says the initiative builds on the Government’s broader efforts to strengthen the primary care workforce pipeline.

“Breaking ground today delivers one of the most significant workforce investments in a generation. From 2028, the Waikato medical school will train an additional 120 doctors each year, on top of the 100 extra places being added at Otago and Auckland between 2024 and 2026,” he says.

“Together, these initiatives will increase the number of New Zealand-trained doctors, improving access to timely care and strengthening primary care.”

The medical school will take a strong focus on primary care and rural health, offering clinical placements in regional and rural communities.

“This is about making it easier for people to see a doctor when they need one,” Brown says. “A workforce trained in and connected to rural communities is essential to keeping people well, treating disease early, and reducing long-term health impacts. At the same time, the Government is investing in the immediate needs of our primary care workforce with our Primary Care Tactical Action Plan.”

That plan includes a series of workforce initiatives designed to address shortages and improve access to care. These include clinical placements for overseas-trained doctors to work in primary care, new training opportunities for New Zealand-trained graduate doctors and nurse practitioners, incentives for practices to recruit graduate nurses, accelerated education pathways for primary care nurses, and the addition of 100 new medical training places across the Universities of Auckland and Otago over the Government’s term.

Reti says the sod-turning represents a major step for the University of Waikato and the wider region.

“By expanding its education and training programmes, the University is creating new pathways for students and driving academic and economic growth across Hamilton, the Waikato, and rural communities,” he says.

“This is about more than a new building, it’s an investment in people. Providing access to medical education locally means students can train closer to home while helping build a resilient, regionally connected workforce. This approach supports regional development, builds local expertise, and strengthens healthcare across rural New Zealand.”

The first cohort of students is expected to begin training in 2028.