This report presents the results of our 2025 workforce survey. Key findings include 20,530 practising doctors, a 2.6% rise from last year. Nearly half are women (49.6%), and representation of Māori (5.5%) and Pacific (2.7%) doctors is growing among younger doctors. International medical graduates continue to play a vital role, especially outside the main centres.

Our Strategic plan for 2021 – 2025 outlines our vision and purpose and how we will enhance the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi through achieving our strategic priorities.

Under section 14 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (“Act”), Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa |
Medical Council of New Zealand (“Council”) gives notice of an amendment to the notice titled “Scopes of Practice and
Prescribed Qualifications for the Practice of Medicine in New Zealand Notice 2024” published in the New Zealand Gazette, 30 September 2024, Notice No. 2024-sl4580

This gazette notice lists the fees payable from 1 July 2025.

Council has not issued standards specific to practice within the purpose of the End of Life Choice Act 2019 (EOLCA). Council considers that the provision of health services under the EOLCA falls within the wider practice of medicine, to which Council’s statements are directed. This document sets out existing Council statements alongside the relevant sections of the EOLCA.

Terms of reference for our Education Committee, approved by Council in December 2025.

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.

An amendment of this notice was published on 1 October 2024, Notice No. 2024-sl4980 and another amendment was published on 31 March 2025, Notice No. 2025-sl1765.

A one-page visual guide outlining the registration pathways available to International Medical Graduates, including both permanent and temporary options.

This document covers the terms of reference and delegations of Council's Health Committee. Te Rōpū Hauora | the Health Committee (the Committee) is a standing committee of Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand.

These are the current standards and have been updated to reflect the changes to ACLS requirements for interns. These standards identify the basic elements that must exist in all accredited prevocational intern training programmes. Providers of prevocational training programmes must demonstrate they meet these accreditation standards.

We will achieve our vision, deliver on our purpose, uphold the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and be a sustainable organisation through our strategic priorities.

These standards identify the basic elements that must exist in all accredited prevocational intern training programmes. Providers of prevocational training programmes must demonstrate they meet these accreditation standards.

RNZCUC accreditation report relating to the visit on 21 and 23 October 2025

Under sections 11 and 13 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand (“Council”) gives notice of an amendment to the notice titled “Scopes of Practice and Prescribed Qualifications for the Practice of Medicine in New Zealand Notice 2024.

This policy details the advanced cardiac life support requirement for PGY1 interns.

Council's submission to Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health on their consultation around the regulation of physician associates under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.

Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand set these Professional Standards for Physician Associates 2026 (the standards) under section 118(1)(i) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. The standards will come into force on 1 October 2026.

This document sets out the standards against which prevocational medical training programmes are
accredited by Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand (Council).

This gazette notice lists the fees payable from 1 July 2026.

Under sections 11 and 13 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand (“Council”) gives notice of an amendment to the notice titled “Scopes of Practice and Prescribed Qualifications for the Practice of Medicine in New Zealand Notice 2024.

In August 2021, Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand, underwent a full performance review that showed compliance to our obligations under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCAA). This independent report documents the findings from the review.

This report presents the results of our 2024 workforce survey. Key findings include the continuing increase in the proportion of Māori and female doctors in the workforce, as well as a 3.4 percent increase in the overall size of the workforce.

This policy outlines the process we follow when requiring that a doctor has an approved chaperone present during their consultations.

Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | the Medical Council of New Zealand (the Council) is considering making changes to the advanced life support (ACLS) requirement for interns in the Provisional General scope of practice (postgraduate year 1, or PGY1) interns.

Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | the Medical Council of New Zealand (the Council) considers it important that all interns have the knowledge and skills to manage and supervise resuscitation events and therefore we have a longstanding requirement that interns hold New Zealand Resuscitation Council (NZRC) CORE Advanced certification.

Practice intentions - To be completed by doctors applying for a PC to return to work after an absence of three or more years

Provisional general scope - application to vary practising certificate

Provisional vocational scope - application to vary practising certificate

Application for general scope of practice for doctors on a provisional general scope of practice (excluding Interns).

Application for change of scope from provisional vocational to vocational (ex-provisional)

If you are in a collegial relationship, you should use this form to record the details of any audits of your medical practice.

If you are in a collegial relationship, you should use this form to keep a record of the CME activities you complete.

If you are in a collegial relationship, you should use this form to keep a record of any peer review you do.

Complete this form to confirm you are enrolled and actively participating in an approved recertification programme.

Form to confirm that the doctor is enrolled and actively participating in Inpractice, the recertification programme for doctors registered in the General scope of practice.

NZREX Clinical - Application to withdraw from an examination

NZREX Clinical - Application to change to a later examination

Declaration: Special purpose scope of practice – postgraduate training

Application for a practising certificate for doctors registered in a provisional or special purpose locum tenens scope who are returning to medical practice in New Zealand. This form supersedes the REG9 and REG11 forms.

Employer application for approval of position and supervisor (UK & Irish graduates, comparable health system, and locum tenens pathways)

Provisional vocational scope - application for approval of position and supervisor

APPLICATION FORM SUPERSEDED - Please use the new REG12 form
Application for a practising certificate for an IMG registered in a provisional general scope returning to medical practice in New Zealand.

Supervision report for IMGs on a provisional vocational or special purpose scope doing telemedicine, pathology, diagnostic and interventional radiology, public health medicine and medical administration.

Supervision report form for doctors on General scope or vocational scope.

Special Purpose: Visiting Expert - Application for approval of invitation and supervision

This sheet provides information on how Professional Conduct Committees (PCCs) request information, what powers they must obtain information, what they do with information they receive, and answers some frequently asked questions.

Special purpose scope - application to amend practising certificate

The purpose of this agreement is to set out the terms of reference for the collegial relationship and clarify the objectives and responsibilities of each colleague.

if you are in a collegial relationship you should use this form to keep a record of the meetings you have with your colleague.

If you are in a collegial relationship, you should use this form to record any optional activities you complete - that is, activities that are not specifically required.

Application for registration in New Zealand

Doctors on provisional general and special purpose scope: Employer application for approval of position and supervisor

Provisional vocational (VOC4) scope - application for approval of position and supervisor

Referee report for use when applying for registration.

Application for Special Purpose: Visiting Expert Registration for teaching as a Visiting Expert

Application for vocational registration if you don't hold an approved postgraduate medical qualification from New Zealand or Australia.

Application form for provisional vocational registration if you hold an approved postgraduate medical qualification.

This information sheet provides guidance to chaperones approved by the Medical Council of New Zealand (Approved Chaperone) about their role and responsibilities when acting as a chaperone.

This consultation document is seeking stakeholder feedback on the Medical Council of New Zealand’s (Council) proposal to gazette an increase to the practising certificate (PC) fee and disciplinary levy, to be effective from 1 September 2020.

In order to practise in New Zealand you must be both registered and hold a current practising certificate. This policy outlines Council's rules around practising certificates.

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

Our strategic plan for the period from 1 June 2014 to 30 June 2015

Our strategic plan for the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016

In the November 2015 edition of Medical Council News we looked at stimulating debate amongst health organisations about the urgent need to address Māori health inequity, concerns around processing laboratory results, retrospective changes to patient records and why British doctors move to New Zealand.

In this issue of Medical Council News, we look at outcomes and initiatives from the Council’s planning day, our discussion paper Better Data – the benefits to the profession and the public, Council’s revised Statement on advertising, doctors’ responsibilities around aviation safety and the need to provide more detail on medical certificates.

This policy gives an overview of the rules we apply in deciding whether to register as a doctor or physician associate in New Zealand. There will also be a specific policy that applies to the pathway you are registering under and the two policies should be read together.

This report presents the results of the 2026 workforce survey. Key findings include 21,097 practising doctors, a 2.8% rise from last year. Over half are women, and representation of Māori (5.8%) and Pacific (2.8%) doctors is growing.

New Zealand and Australian graduates: This checklist will help you to confirm your eligibility for registration, tell you what documents you need to provide, and will tell you what documents you need to have verified at source by EPIC.

Postgraduate training - Checklist for registration in New Zealand

Research - Part A: Checklist for registration in New Zealand

CHKL3: Passed approved examinations

Checklist 4: Comparable health system - checklist for registration in New Zealand.

Australian general scope pathway - Part A: Checklist for registration in New Zealand

NZREX Clinical - Application for recount of result

FORM SUPERSEDED - Please use the new REG12 form
Application for a practising certificate for international medical graduates registered on a provisional vocational scope returning to medical practice in New Zealand

This report presents the results of our 2022 workforce survey. Key findings in this report include that the proportion of Māori doctors increased to 4.7 percent, the proportion of female doctors increased to 47.9 percent, and the total number of practising doctors increased to 19,350.

V1 Superseded version of Council's Te Mahere Rautaki Strategic Plan.

V2 Superseded version of Council's Te Mahere Rautaki Strategic Plan.

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023

Checklist for registration in New Zealand - locum tenens registration

Checklist 2: United Kingdom and Irish medical graduates - Part A: Checklist for registration in New Zealand

Special Purpose: Teleradiology - Checklist for new applicants

Special Purpose: Teleradiology - Checklist for reapplying applicants

Checklist 5: Practice profile form for use by doctors applying down the comparable health system pathway.

CHKL8: United Kingdom general registrants pathway

NZREX Clinical - Checklist of documentation that must be provided with application

Application for registration as a physician associate in New Zealand.

We are seeking stakeholder feedback on the Medical Council of New Zealand’s (Council) proposal to gazette changes to its existing fees and disciplinary levy, to be effective from 1 July 2022.

Evaluation of Council's RPR programme by Malatest International - mid year report for 2015

Medical Council's five-year strategic plan through to 2022

We are proposing two key changes to the comparable health system pathway to registration in the Provisional General scope of practice. We welcome your feedback about these proposed changes before we make any decisions.

When applying for registration at the end of your medical training you will have to answer questions relating to your fitness to practise. This guide will help you to figure out what you may need to declare to Council.

We are seeking stakeholder feedback on the Medical Council of New Zealand’s (Council) proposal to gazette changes to its existing fees and disciplinary levy, to be effective from 1 July 2021.

This document outlines Council's decision around the Practising Certificate Fee and Disciplinary Levy for 2020/2021 and the reasons for this decision.

This consultation sets out two proposals for registration of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in the Provisional General scope of practice in Aotearoa New Zealand based on an applicant having passed Part 1 and Part 2 of the United Kingdom (UK) Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test.

Report on our progress with our strategic directions covering the period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015

Report on our progress with our strategic directions covering the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016

This guidance explains what doctors should consider when using artificial intelligence (AI) in patient care. Because AI is increasingly being used in medical practice, it is essential that doctors do so ethically and responsibly, to ensure patient safety and the privacy of health information.

Council is proposing to extend the provisional vocational assessment period from 18 to 24 months. This will enable a specific cohort of specialist IMGs who may not otherwise meet the standard, to gain provisional vocational registration and complete discrete training to address identified
deficiencies in their qualifications, training and experience.

This form outlines the additional information that will be required by the RNZCGP so it can provide us with advice on your application for vocational registration in general practice.

Prevocational medical training accreditation report for Capital and Coast District Health Board following site visit on 24 and 25 March 2021

Prevocational medical training accreditation report for Hutt Valley District Health Board following site visit on 12 and 28 October 2020

This policy, which comes into effect on 1 April 2020, sets out on when we might make public in some way, information about an order or direction made by us about a doctor.

RNZCUC accreditation update status as of 17 December 2024

RNZCUC accreditation update status as of 22 March 2024

Prevocational medical training accreditation report for South Canterbury District Health Board following site visit on 24 and 25 July 2018

In May 2019 Council consulted with stakeholders on a revised statement and resource on cultural competence, cultural safety and achieving best health outcomes for Māori. The feedback can be found here. The final documents were completed in October 2019.

Prevocational medical training accreditation report for Northland DHB following site visit on 1 and 2September 2021

Prevocational medical training accreditation report for Taranaki District Health Board following site visit on 27 and 28 July 2021

Prevocational medical training accreditation report for Southern District Health Board following site visit on 26 August 2020.

Prevocational medical training accreditation report for Tairāwhiti District Health Board following site visit on 4 and 5 May 2021

Malatest Evaluation of the RPR Programme - end of year 2014

NZAMM accreditation report relating to the visit on 18-19 November 2020

NZDSI accreditation report relating to the visit on 3 and 4 August 2022

RNZCGP accreditation report relating to the visit from 18 to 21 March 2024

NZCSRH accreditation report 2026.

Evaluation of changes to prevocational medical training by Malatest International - end of year report for 2018

Update on Wairarapa DHB's accreditation status as at 27 October 2023

Our strategic plan for the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.

Prevocational medical training accreditation report for Te Whatu Ora - Lakes following site visit on 24 and 25 May 2022

Prevocational medical training accreditation report for Wairarapa District Health Board following site visit on 17 and 18 October 2019.

Prevocational medical training accreditation report for Counties Manukau DHB following site visit on 13 and 14 June 2024.

Prevocational medical training accreditation report for Waikato District Health Board following site visit on 14 and 15 September 2021

Evaluation of Council's RPR programme by Malatest International - end of year report for 2015

NZCPHM accreditation report relating to the visit on 4, 5 and 6 May 2022

Update on Waitemata DHB's accreditation status as at 1 July 2022

Prevocational medical training accreditation report for Te Whatu Ora - Te Tai Tokerau following site visit on 29 and 30 April 2024

In late 2009 we asked the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) to undertake a full review of how we were performing. This is their report on how we did.

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1982 to 30 June 1983

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1983 to 30 June 1984

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1986 to 30 June 1987

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1987 to 30 June 1988

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1989 to 30 June 1990

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1992 to 30 June 1993

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1994 to 30 June 1995

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019

Our strategic plan for the period from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014

Our strategic plan for the period from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019

In this issue of Medical Council News we acknowledge the contribution and mana of Mr Andrew Connolly, our Chair and leader over the last five years. We also highlight our two new statements on professional and sexual boundaries in the doctor-patient relationship and the Ministry shares guidance around new laws relating to medicinal cannabis.

PGY2-OS - Application for pre-approval to complete PGY2 overseas

PGY2-OSER - Application for removal of PGY2 endorsement after completing PGY2 year overseas or when when referred to Council by Advisory Panel

This gazette notice lists the scopes of practice and prescribed qualifications for Physician Associates.

Prevocational medical training accreditation report for MidCentral District Health Board following site visit on 30 and 31 March 2021

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1984 to 30 June 1985

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1985 to 30 June 1986

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1988 to 30 June 1989

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1990 to 30 June 1991

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1991 to 30 June 1992

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1993 to 30 June 1994

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012

Council's annual report for the year from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017