The New Zealand Government has approved $83 million in funding for a new medical school at the University of Waikato. This new school, called the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine, will open in Hamilton and is planned to start teaching students in 2028.
New Zealand is not training enough doctors to meet the needs of its aging and growing population. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the new school will help fix that by preparing more doctors, especially for smaller towns and rural areas. It will be the third medical school in the country.
The University of Waikato will add over $150 million to the project, bringing total funding to more than $200 million. Students will study for four years and focus on becoming general practitioners (GPs), especially in places where doctors are currently hard to find. The first group of students will graduate in 2032.
Health Minister Simeon Brown said the school will focus on primary care. This means helping people stay healthy and treating them before they need to go to the hospital. The school will train 120 new doctors every year once it opens.
The government and university leaders say this is great news for the Waikato region, as it brings jobs, new students, and more health support to local communities.
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