Primary care medical pathway

In March, the Minister of Health announced a number of initiatives to support an increase in timely access to primary care for all New Zealanders, including supporting more doctors and nurses into the primary care workforce.

More locally trained doctors in primary care - Beehive.govt.nz (external link)

One of those initiatives included the development of a new domestic primary care pathway to support New Zealand medical graduates to train and work in general practice and other eligible primary care settings. From 2026, the pathway will provide up to 50 funded placements each year. This is part of the Government’s commitment to grow and retain more doctors in primary care, helping communities access timely GP appointments.

The pathway has been designed with strong input from the sector. In May, we hosted a national workshop with more than 30 representatives from primary care, training, regulation, unions and districts, where we tested ideas and agreed the key building blocks.

We have also established a Primary Care Medical Training Pathway Reference Group. This group brings together GPs, training directors, unions, regulators, Hauora Māori, rural representatives and others, and provides advice, insights and connections to ensure the pathway works for those delivering and training in it.

The pathway will begin in 2026 and is open to New Zealand trained doctors at the PGY2 stage. After completing the usual PGY1 year in hospital, trainees will move into primary care placements.

These extended primary care placements are designed to:

• Develop core generalist skills
• Strengthen your connection with patients in community settings
• Build understanding of how primary care fits within the wider health system
• Support equity and access across Aotearoa.

All Medical Council requirements for registration will continue to be met, and training flexibility will be maintained. From 2027, the annual recruitment cycle will include the option to signal a preference for the primary care pathway. A separate process for house officers to signal their interest in the pathway will open later this year.

Read our guidance document to find out more. [PDF, 429 KB]

PGY1 house officers can apply now to express an interest in taking part in the pathway, which will provide longer, more immersive placements in primary care settings during their PGY2 year.

You can apply for the pathway using the following link: Expression of Interest Pre-vocational medical training in Primary Care Practices (external link).

Applications will close on Friday 9 January 2026.

If you have any questions, please speak with your local RMO unit, director of clinical training, or prevocational educational supervisor. You can also email the national team at workforce@tewhatuora.govt.nz.

We ran an expression of interest process for general practices who may want to host placements from 2026. This process closed on 10 October and we received 169 responses.

If you have any questions, please email workforce@tewhatuora.govt.nz.