Latest news with #WaikatoUniversity
RNZ News
a day ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Waikato University promises planned medical school won't be downsized despite less govt funding
Health Minister Simeon Brown. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Waikato University is promising its planned new medical school will not need to be downsized, despite the government putting much less money than originally expected into the project. Opposition parties, however, want the government to show how it arrived at the revised costings. In 2023, National campaigned on a $380 million school in Waikato , with the Crown putting up $280m and the university raising the remaining $100m. However, on Monday, the government confirmed it would contribute $85.25m to the school , with the university chipping in $150m, with the help of philanthropists. The revised numbers came as the result of a business case , which was secured by ACT in coalition talks. The school, which will start its four-year programme in 2028, will prioritise clinical placements in rural and regional communities. "The admissions criteria will be around graduate entry, and it will be about ensuring that the people who come forward have demonstrated commitment to rural communities," said Health Minister Simeon Brown. "That will be a key part of the admissions criteria: to make sure that we are training in place, staying in place. That's a key part of why this government's investing in it." The Rural Health Network said the school was an "exciting opportunity" to boost the much-needed rural workforce. Rural Health Network Photo: Supplied / Rural Health Network Dr Fiona Bolden, chair of Hauora Taiwhenua, said rural-origin students, who were trained rurally, and by rural health professionals, were six times more likely to work rurally than otherwise. "I think that this gives a chance for those people who may be more diverse and done other other degrees, first of all, to find a way to get through medical school," she said. "The design of the course has been set up to make sure that they are trained in long-term general practice placements, so they get to learn about continuity and the community in which they're placed." However, with the first graduates not set to enter the workforce until 2032, Dr Bolden expressed frustration it had taken this long. "We already need these people right now, we're already about 130 full-time equivalent GPs short in rural areas right now, and we only have 500 full-time equivalents in total. What that actually means is a lot more GPs than just the 130, because it's quite unusual now for someone to work a full-time equivalent because of the nature of the job and how the job's changed." Throughout the process, the country's two existing medical schools argued they could train more students at a lower cost. Reacting to the announcement, the University of Otago said it was confident it could continue to deliver high-quality medical education. "We are disappointed that government did not follow the alternative and more cost-effective option of further increasing the intakes into the country's existing medical schools," said associate professor Megan Gibbons, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Health Sciences. "However, any investment that supports growing and sustaining the health workforce is a step toward strengthening care for our communities - particularly in rural and underserved regions." The University of Auckland currently had 170 medical students at Waikato Hospital and in general practices in the region. Professor Warwick Bagg, Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, said proceeding with the Waikato school was a positive signal for medical education in New Zealand. "One hundred and twenty additional doctors will in time contribute to addressing the workforce shortage. They will add to the 360-plus University of Auckland graduate doctors each year," he said. University of Auckland Medical and Health Sciences Dean, professor Warwick Bagg. Photo: Supplied Labour and the Green Party called on the government to show its working. Brown confirmed the business case would be proactively released "soon", but would not put a specific timeframe on it. Labour's health spokeperson Dr Ayesha Verrall said decisions needed to be transparent. "It's harder and more expensive to see a doctor than ever, and we need to be confident investments in medical training will deliver. It is not clear how this investment is better for New Zealand than the alternatives," she said. The Greens' tertiary education spokesperson Francisco Hernandez pointed to earlier Treasury advice which had concerns over Waikato's ability to contribute to the costs. "The government got advice that approving the Waikato medical school would raise the risk profile of Waikato University from medium to high," he said. Despite the revised costs, Hernandez expressed scepticism the project would not blow its budget. "The cost estimates have shifted so much, I wouldn't be surprised if there's scope creep down the line, and Waikato Uni ends up having to come back to the government with a begging bowl, because the cost ends up being more than what they thought it would be." Green Party tertiary education spokesperson Francisco Hernandez. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith Brown said the Tertiary Education Commission had provided advice to the Universities Minister, Dr Shane Reti, which showed Waikato was in a strong financial position, and could leverage its balance sheet. He and the Prime Minister were satisfied Waikato could meet its end of the bargain, and if the philanthropists could not come through the university had the "financial firepower" to backstop it. "They are confident, having reached out to their donors, that they've got really strong pledges to be able to support that, and we have also wanted to be reassured that those pledges are real. That's why the Treasury work happened, and why we've taken a little bit of time to work through it," Christopher Luxon said. Waikato University said its planned new medical school would not need to be downsized despite the government putting much less money into the project. University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley said the initial cost of the project was a high-level estimate of the maximum funding that might be needed. "It was always going to be the case that as we interrogated the costs in detail, it [the overall cost] would come down. "The costs that we've now identified are the true costs that reflect the facilities we actually need." He said the university expected its $150m contribution to be half from operating profits and half from donations. "We're a long way down the track with commitments to that level of philanthropic support already, and the university is in very good financial shape at the moment. "We're confident we can make the commitment." The university's focus would be training students who wanted to work in primary care and outside main centres, where the need was greatest, Quigley said. "We have a plan to ensure that students spend three of their four years in the medicine programme in clinical placement in rural and provincial areas." The university'sprogramme had the support of communities, doctors, and other healthcare professionals, he said. "Where we've got to today has taken a while, but probably was necessary to build the level of support needed." The university was finalising where students would go for their clinical placements with rural and regional communities. Quigley said it was about time New Zealand gave those with any undergraduate degree an easier pathway to enter medicine, in line with other countries like Australia. University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley. Photo: RNZ / Joanne O'Brien ACT leader David Seymour, meanwhile, was taking credit for the money saved from National's original proposal. The party had secured a commitment in its coalition agreement with National to conduct a business case before the project could go ahead. "I guess when people come to you and say 'we've figured out how to do it $200m cheaper,' it's kind of hard to say no. I think saving $200m and getting a third medical school, not a bad day," Seymour said. Luxon, on the other hand, said the decision was made as a Cabinet. "Success can have many fathers and mothers, and if everyone's feeling good about it in our government, that's fantastic," he said. 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1News
a day ago
- Health
- 1News
Govt gives green light and $83m for Waikato medical school
The Government has approved a business case and $83m in funding for a new Waikato University medical school, as part of a plan to strengthen the health workforce. The New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine will receive more than $150 million from the university — supported by philanthropy — according to the Government, bringing total funding to more than $200 million. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the third medical school for New Zealand would not just be a "significant investment" for the health system but for Hamilton and the Waikato region. "New Zealand simply isn't training enough doctors to meet the future needs of our growing aging population or to replace those doctors retiring, and that has to change." The new school was a "practical step" to change that by boosting the medical workforce, creating new educational opportunities in the Waikato and helping deliver better care closer to home, he said. ADVERTISEMENT "It's certainly a big win for the future of our health workforce; it's a big win for the Waikato; and, most importantly, for patients." Health Minister Simeon Brown said the school would focus on primary care and rural health. "Today's decision will enable the University of Waikato to begin construction on new teaching facilities later this year and start planning for clinical placements, while giving more students the opportunity to study medicine in New Zealand," he said. Experts have warned that the initial proposal for the facility was likely to be unaffordable. (Source: 1News) The medical school would add 120 doctor training places annually from 2028, offering a graduate-entry programme "providing a flexible new pathway into medicine that helps attract a broader range of students and build a stronger, more diverse workforce". "It's an innovative model that supports our focus on strengthening primary care, making it easier for people to see their doctor, helping Kiwis stay well and out of hospital." The Government approved precisely $82.85 million in direct funding for the project. ADVERTISEMENT Brown's office said a full cost-benefit analysis was presented to Cabinet before any proposal was finalised. ACT had negotiated for the analysis to be completed before any binding funding decision could be approved, in its coalition agreement with National. Universities Minister Shane Reti said the funding decision represented a "real boost for tertiary education in the Waikato". "By expanding access to medical training, we're creating new opportunities for students from across the region and beyond, while also helping to future-proof the local workforce," he said. "This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking initiative this Government wants to see from our universities – investing in regional growth, building local capability, and delivering on the needs of rural communities." The Health Minister added the new places were "on top of the 100 additional medical training places that are being added over the term of this Government across the University of Auckland and University of Otago". Report found more cost effective training could be delivered by the two existing schools and both universities could increase intakes quicker with increased funding. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Auckland and Otago universities had previously offered to train more medical students if that could be supported by the Government. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Health Sciences at Otago, Associate Professor Megan Gibbons, acknowledged today's announcement of a third medical school as part of the Government's strategy to address New Zealand's healthcare workforce needs. "We are disappointed that Government did not follow the alternative and more cost-effective option of further increasing the intakes into the country's existing medical schools," she said. "However, any investment that supports growing and sustaining the health workforce is a step toward strengthening care for our communities — particularly in rural and underserved regions." Four-year programme to begin in 2028, first graduates by 2032 University of Waikato vice-chancellor Professor Neil Quigley called the announcement a "landmark moment" for New Zealand. "We will be offering a programme that selects and trains doctors in a fundamentally different way and will complement New Zealand's two existing medical schools. ADVERTISEMENT "It will be designed to produce more graduates who choose to become GPs and who want to work in regional and rural communities." Quigley said the four-year programme would begin in 2028, with first cohort graduating and entering the workforce in 2032. Pro vice-chancellor of health Professor Jo Lane said the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine curriculum would train "the doctors New Zealand needs". "Our curriculum will prioritise clinical placements in regional and rural health settings, allowing graduates to experience working with diverse populations while building deep connections in the communities they serve."
Scoop
2 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Delighted With The Announcement Of A Third Medical School At Waikato University Focussing On Rural Doctors
Hauora Taiwhenua is excited by the Prime Minister's long-awaited announcement of the support for a third medical school at Waikato University. It is well known that New Zealand is suffering from an acute shortage of family doctors, and that shortage is the most pronounced in rural areas. Going into the last election, the National Government had promised to fund a proposal from Waikato University that put forward a very different approach to the existing two Medical Schools at Auckland and Otago. The proposal was to offer opportunities to existing graduates and provide a significant part of the training in rural and regional New Zealand. The coalition Government had asked for a detailed business case before continuing that commitment. Cabinet has today given the green light, meaning that the Waikato proposal could show positive financial, as well as medical, outcomes for the country. Hauora Taiwhenua's CEO, Dr Grant Davidson, stated, 'We are thrilled that the Government has met its election promise to provide a rurally focussed medical training programme in New Zealand. This will complement the excellent training programmes already in operation at Auckland and Otago, while providing a graduate-entry option with strong community immersion. It will give hope to rural general practice that the continuance of a targeted workforce for rural communities is important to this Government.' The Waikato proposal follows well-proven design principles for rural medical training in both Australia and Canada. Clear research shows that rural-origin students who train in rural areas and are trained by rural health professionals are six times more likely to work in those rural areas post-graduation. While graduates from the Waikato programme will be able to follow any medical specialty, as is the case with graduates from Auckland and Otago, we hope that by having more exposure during the training to general practice, that a higher percentage of graduates will see the benefits of working in the community. Hauora Taiwhenua notes that a third medical school for the population of New Zealand is not unusual. Based on Australia, we would have between four to five medical schools for New Zealand's population of over five million people. This initiative will see an extra 120 doctors trained each year starting in 2028. This will add to the extra 100 medical training placements that the Government has supported into Otago and Auckland's programmes over its current term, along with the funding of 120 Nurse practitioners and support packages for rural practices to take on graduate nurses. Last week, representatives of the nine Chapters of Hauora Taiwhenua met with the coalition Government to get an update on progress towards the published Rural Health Strategy. In holding the Government to account, one of the pressing questions was why the commitment to the Waikato proposal was delayed. Minister Brown at the time told the group that a decision was pending. It is pleasing to see that the commitment has now been honoured. Dr Davidson added that he is encouraged that "Our collective efforts strive to empower our rural communities by ensuring they have access to high-quality healthcare services delivered by professionals who understand and are committed to rural values and needs has been heard."
Scoop
2 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
ACT Saves Taxpayer Hundreds Of Millions On Waikato Medical School
'ACT's commitment to delivering better healthcare outcomes while valuing taxpayers' money has helped deliver a better outcome on the new Waikato Medical School,' says ACT Leader David Seymour. ' Initial estimates forecast that the taxpayer would need to stump up $280 million. Today's announcement confirms they will only need to invest $82.5 million. This is down to Waikato University agreeing to contribute a higher proportion of the medical school's costs. ACT's rigorous questioning helped ensure a more efficient investment meaning Kiwis get better outcomes for less. 'Families across New Zealand are feeling the squeeze, from rising grocery bills to long waits to see a GP. We can address both issues, but it requires every taxpayer dollar to be spent wisely, especially when it comes to something as vital as healthcare. 'New Zealand has a critical shortage of doctors, especially in rural communities where people often wait weeks for appointments or drive hours just to see a GP. The Government has taken several steps to address this, such as reducing red tape for overseas doctors, simplifying prescription rules, expanding existing medical school placements, and encouraging graduates to stay in the country. But there's still more that needs to be done. 'The idea of a new medical school at the University of Waikato was proposed to train more doctors with a focus on rural and regional health. ACT has always agreed with the desired outcome. Our role has been to ask the tough questions: was this the best use of taxpayer money to achieve the goal? Would it work, and could it be done for less? 'ACT insisted that a full cost-benefit analysis be done before signing off on such a large investment. We demanded better planning, transparency, and accountability. We raised concerns about the initial analysis failing to consider other options to address the issue. 'As a result, officials and Waikato University revised their assumptions, refined the proposal, and delivered a plan that achieves the goal of more doctors trained for rural communities at a significantly lower cost to taxpayers. 'ACT has always said we must save money where it counts so we can invest where it matters. This improved investment is a great example, with more money left in your back pocket and a solution found.'
Otago Daily Times
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Otago's Collier paddles to world title
The Central Otago school of paddling excellence has produced another champion. Nick Collier has become the first New Zealander to win gold at the junior and under-23 canoe slalom world championships. He claimed victory in the under-23 kayak cross in Foix, France. Collier, 21, who hails from Alexandra but has been based in Waikato for the past four years, went one better than his silver medal at the same world championships in Poland two years ago. In Foix, he had to overcome some strong rivals and a parochial French crowd cheering for a one-two from Titouan Castryck and Gino Benini. Castryck, a silver medallist in the K1 at the Paris Olympics and a past junior and under-23 world champion, had already won the kayak slalom final in Foix but had to settle for silver in the kayak cross, in which competitors race down a whitewater course, navigating through a series of obstacles. It is the same event in which Finn Butcher, also from Alexandra, won gold at the Paris Olympics. ''I'm just astounded,'' Collier told the International Canoe Federation after his win. ''It has been a really long, hard year of training. ''I narrowly missed out last year in the semifinal. ''I got on the podium the year before, so it was incredible to make this comeback here in France and get on the top step of the podium this time. ''Having two French guys in the final, you could hear the crowd, it was so loud. You wouldn't really know who they were cheering for, but there was a really strong Kiwi contingent here. And they were all cheering me, willing me down the course. ''It was such a cool feeling.'' Collier made the shift from Central Otago to Hamilton in 2021 after winning a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship to study at Waikato University. He now lives in Cambridge, which is closer to Okere Falls, near Rotorua, for training. Collier's victory came a day after fellow New Zealand paddler Oliver Puchner won silver in the canoe single final. Puchner, from Pukehina in western Bay of Plenty, was competing at his final under-23 world championships and it was by far his best performance. In the under-23 women's C1, Kahlia Cullwick made the semifinals, finishing 25th after also making the semifinals in the K1 event, while junior women's C1 paddler Rosie Rex made the final, finishing 11th in a big advance for her career. — RNZ/APL
