Latest news with #UniversityofWaikato
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
News of new medical school welcomed in Waikato
By Libby Kirkby-McLeod of RNZ The announcement of a new medical school at the University of Waikato has been welcomed by local business, community, and medical leaders. The government confirmed yesterday it will fund $82.5 million of the school, with the university paying the remaining $150 million, backed by philanthropists. 'Otago is being overlooked' Waikato Chamber of Commerce chief executive Don Good said he had no concerns about the university being able to secure the money needed to get the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine off the ground. "There are some very wealthy families in the Waikato that you probably have never heard of, and they are very community-minded," he said. Good said people who made money in the Waikato put it back into the region. While he spoke warmly about people in Waikato, he was not so impressed with some of the actions of those outside the region. He said there had been a long-running campaign against a Waikato medical school by the existing medical schools in Auckland and Otago. But the Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences in Auckland, Professor Warwick Bagg, told Morning Report that while the university had put forward its case against a third school, it was pleased that the government had invested so heavily in medical student training. "If you are a patient waiting to see a doctor you are going to be pleased that in the years to come we will have more locally trained doctors to see, I think that's really good news," he said. Kawhia is a small coastal settlement west of Ōtorohanga, where John Burton has been a local GP for 33 years. He said he was thrilled the new medical school was happening and he wished it had happened 20 years ago. Dr Burton has trained many student doctors over the years and said he enjoyed it. But he said rural practices currently spent a lot of time training the wrong people and he was looking forward to students who were not coming from the big cities. "We have a lot of medical students come here, down from Auckland, and they all say they love it, it's wonderful experience, but for the majority of them they're Aucklanders and this is a foreign world for them and although it's a lovely adventure, it's not what they're going to end up doing." Rural Health Network chair Dr Fiona Bolden said students from rural areas who trained rurally were six times more likely to work as a rural doctor. Down the country a bit from Kawhia, Waitomo Mayor John Robertson said a Waikato-based medical school was a positive announcement for young people in his town. He said proximity to training opportunities was important. "The fact that it's so close is an advantage, and for some students they can live in the area, get a bus up to Hamilton each day," he said. A University of Waikato spokesperson told RNZ the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine would be located within a new Division of Health precinct. Detailed designs were under way and work was expected to start later this year after the main contract had been awarded and the building consent had been received. The university said it also had plans for dedicated student accommodation next to the Health Precinct for medical school students. The first students are expected to be welcomed in 2028.
Scoop
a day ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Opening Up Highly Productive Land For Housing
The Government is proposing to open up some of Aotearoa's most highly productive agricultural land to make it available for housing development. Sweeping proposals to change the RMA national direction include the country's most productive agricultural areas, which are classed according to how versatile they are for primary production. According to the proposal, Land Use Capacity 3 land would no longer be protected in the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL), which restricts the rezoning, subdivision, and use of Highly Productive Land. Consultation on the proposed changes to the NPS-HPL runs until this Sunday, 27 July 2025. The SMC asked experts to comment. The SMC has also gathered expert reactions on proposed RMA changes to housing and slash management. Emeritus Professor David J. Lowe, University of Waikato, comments: 'It is proposed that the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land is emended to remove land use capability (LUC) class 3 soils from their current protection 'from inappropriate land use and development'. The proposal is poorly considered and, if it goes through, would be an irreversible blunder of intergenerational scale for multiple reasons. 'Future generations of New Zealanders are being robbed of the potential productivity of versatile soils by people with a vested interest. The Luxon-led coalition government has an ethical, moral, and legal obligation to provide for future as well as current generations. 'Contrary to popular myth, New Zealand does not have large areas of highly productive soils. Rather, such soils, encompassing LUC classes 1 and 2 along with most class 3 soils, make up only 14% of New Zealand's soils. Class 1 (0.7%) and 2 (4.5%), the most versatile soils, amount to a mere 5.2%, with class 3 soils another 9.2 %. Removing class 3 soils from protection would leave just 5% of New Zealand's soils to sustain the entire nation in perpetuity. 'Many of the highly-productive (versatile) soils typically have taken around 10,000 to 20,000 years, some 50,000 years and even longer (several hundred thousand years in Pukekohe area), to develop and hence are irreplaceable. 'The versatile soils confer the key capability to produce a wide range of crops yet over 10% have already been lost to lifestyle blocks and housing, with around 33% of the best land (highly versatile soils) in Auckland and Waikato lost for good to urban expansion under an accelerating process. 'The high-value soils of the Pukekohe-Bombay area have been facing 'death by a thousand cuts' over the past few decades under housing pressure yet it is seldom appreciated that these soils, only ~4,400 ha in extent (~3.8% of New Zealand's horticultural land) produce ~26% by value of New Zealand's vegetable production adjacent to the country's largest market and under a horticulturally favourable climate. 'The versatile soils, including many LUC 3 soils, must be preserved: – to support a wide variety of viable land use options, including cropping, to meet the foreseeable needs of future generations – to facilitate the sustainable production of food and fibre and other services and to help maintain food sovereignty (the ability to maintain authority over New Zealand's food supply) – to preserve soil ecosystems that provide environmental services and confer the greatest natural protection to the environment – to maintain natural capital and soil diversity 'The versatile soils have – high energy-use efficiency and yields for various crops – high pollution absorption capacity – moderate or better soil resilience 'There are plenty of less-versatile soils available for housing. 'In conclusion, preservation of nationally scarce highly-productive land including LUC class 3 soils for growing crops is of paramount importance because further loss needlessly and irreversibly limits this option for current and future generations. Hence the proposed amendment should be abandoned. 'Further, rather than maintaining its disparaging attitude to science, and geoscience in particular, and its reprehensible ridiculing of expert opinion, the current coalition government should engage meaningfully and respectfully with soil scientists and horticulturalists to resolve the conflicts and self-interest of vested parties with respect to land use in New Zealand.' Conflict of interest statement: Lowe is a former professor in Earth Sciences, School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton. He is not commenting on behalf of the institution. Dr Pierre Roudier, President, New Zealand Society of Soil Science, comments: 'Land classified as Land Use Capability class 3 (LUC3) represents the backbone of New Zealand's food and fibre production and high-value exports. It makes up two-thirds of the land currently protected under the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL) and supports a wide range of primary production, ranging from dairy and arable farming to viticulture and horticulture. In Taranaki, 80% of LUC3 land is used for high-value dairy exports, while in Marlborough and Tasman, around 30% supports intensive horticulture, including vineyards. LUC3 land is characteristically extensive and highly productive, supporting large-scale farming and a wide range of crops across New Zealand's varied climates. If the protection of LUC3 land were removed entirely, New Zealand would risk losing large, connected and versatile areas of land that are essential for both domestic food supply and high-value export industries. Once this land is built on, it's lost from food production forever. 'Blanket removal of protections of LUC3 land from the NPS-HPL is not required to achieve the housing goals the Government has set. Exceptions to the current NPS-HPL already exist that allow councils to approve urban development on LUC 1-3 land when justified. Meanwhile, blanket removal of LUC3 protections risks large-scale rural residential subdivision, which is an inefficient use of our best land. Research shows that the most pressing issue on HPL is residential lifestyle development, significantly more so than edge-of-city expansion. This type of development breaks up productive farmland into smaller, disconnected parcels, which not only makes the land harder to farm efficiently but also introduces new pressures because of 'reverse sensitivity' (when new residents in rural areas object to normal farming activities, leading to restrictions on farms). These impacts reduce the overall productivity and versatility of the land. Rural residential blocks on LUC class 3 land now take up an area equivalent to nearly 60% of all the land in New Zealand used to grow vegetables – highlighting the scale of land lost to low-density residential development. 'The Regulatory Impact Statement outlines 4 different policy options, ranging from a status quo to a complete removal of LUC3 protections. One of the more balanced options would allow councils to enable urban growth on LUC3 land through local planning processes, while still protecting that land from residential lifestyle subdivision. This targeted approach would support housing goals near urban areas without opening the door to uncontrolled sprawl across the wider countryside. 'The proposed Special Agricultural Areas (SAAs) are poorly defined and currently limited to just two regions (Pukekohe and Horowhenua), raising concerns about transparency, national consistency, and scientific rigour. Their effectiveness depends on being grounded in biophysical land qualities, not just current land use. This narrow focus risks excluding other significant food-producing areas and ignores future shifts due to climate or market changes. SAAs could also be less efficient than refining the existing LUC system, which already covers the whole country and is based on scientific land assessment. Without clear criteria and wide consultation, SAAs may create confusion and leave large areas of valuable land unprotected – especially if protections on LUC3 land are lifted before the SAA framework is finalised.' Conflict of interest statement: 'Pierre Roudier is employed full-time by the Bioeconomy Science Institute as a Senior Scientist. He is also the current President of the NZ Society of Soil Science (NZSSS), and his commentary is provided from his perspective as President of the NZSSS.'
Scoop
2 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
ProCare Welcomes Announcement Of New Waikato Medical School As A Commitment To Strengthening Primary Care Workforce
Leading healthcare provider, ProCare, warmly welcomes the announcement from Health Minister Simeon Brown and Universities Minister Dr Shane Reti that Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new medical school at the University of Waikato. While the school won't open until 2028, the announcement includes a strong focus on primary care and rural health which is much needed. Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive of ProCare says: 'With around 50% of GPs due to retire in the next 10 years this is a significant and timely investment in New Zealand's healthcare workforce. The decision to prioritise primary care and rural health in the new Waikato Medical School aligns closely with the needs of our communities and the future of general practice. 'This is more than 'just' a new medical school – it's a long-term investment in the health and wellbeing of the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. We commend the Government for listening to the sector and taking decisive action,' continues Norwell. The graduate-entry programme will add 120 new doctor training places annually, helping to address the growing shortage of GPs and primary care clinicians across the motu. 'General practices are already feeling the strain of being able to meet increasing patient demand – especially in our rural and underserved communities. This announcement is a proactive step toward ensuring continuity of care and equitable access to health services,' says Norwell. 'This is a pivotal moment which will help reshape the pipeline of medical education. By creating more flexible pathways into medicine and embedding primary care at the heart of training, we can attract a more diverse and community-focused cohort of future doctors,' Norwell adds. The announcement also complements recent expansions in nursing, pharmacy, and midwifery programmes at the University of Waikato, reinforcing a holistic approach to workforce development. 'It is unclear at this early stage exactly how the four-year degree programme will focus specifically on primary care, but we look forward to working collaboratively with the University and the Government to help support clinical placements of those graduates and ensure that students gain meaningful experience in general practice settings,' concludes Norwell. About ProCare ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi. As New Zealand's largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to more than 830,000 people across Auckland and Northland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to
Scoop
2 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
MP Tama Potaka & MP Ryan Hamilton: Waikato To Become Home Of New Medical School
Hamilton will become home to New Zealand's third medical school, with Cabinet approving the business case for the new school and the establishment of a graduate-entry medical programme at the University of Waikato, MP for Hamilton West Tama Potaka and MP for Hamilton East Ryan Hamilton say. 'This is a proud day for Hamilton. Establishing a medical school here recognises our city's growing role as a centre for education, research, and healthcare delivery across the wider Waikato and beyond,' says Mr Potaka. 'This has been years in the making. I want to acknowledge the long-standing work of former Hamilton MPs Hon. David Bennett and Hon. Tim Macindoe, and MP for Taupō, Louise Upston, who have strongly championed the case for a Waikato-based medical school. It's fantastic to see that advocacy now delivering real results for our city. 'This investment will give more students from places like Hillcrest, Silverdale, and Claudelands the chance to pursue medicine close to home – while reinforcing Hamilton East as a hub for future-focused learning and health leadership,' Says Mr Hamilton. 'The school will have a strong focus on primary care and rural health, supporting the Government's priority of improving access to timely, quality healthcare across the country. 'It will deliver a more flexible pathway into medicine with a graduate-entry programme, attracting a broader range of students and building a stronger, more diverse workforce.' The Government has committed $82.85 million to the project, alongside more than $150 million in funding from the University of Waikato and philanthropic partners. Construction and planning for new teaching facilities and clinical placements will begin shortly, with the programme expected to provide 120 new doctor training places per year from 2028. The announcement builds on the Government's wider investment in the health workforce, including 100 additional medical school places being added across the University of Auckland and the University of Otago over the term of this Government, and recent expansion of nursing, pharmacy, and midwifery programmes. 'This is a major milestone for the region and a step forward in strengthening New Zealand's health system,' says Mr Potaka. 'It reflects this Government's commitment to investing in regional growth, delivering better health outcomes, and ensuring more people have the opportunity to study and train closer to home.'
Scoop
2 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
New Waikato Medical School Gets Green Light
A new medical school will be established at the University of Waikato as part of the Government's plan to build a stronger health workforce, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Universities Minister Dr Shane Reti say. 'Cabinet has approved the business case for the new school, which will have a strong focus on primary care and rural health,' Mr Brown says. 'With $82.85 million in Government funding and over $150 million from the University, supported by philanthropic investment, this is a substantial commitment to education and regional development in the Waikato. '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.' The school will offer 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. 'It also builds on the University's recent additions of nursing, pharmacy, and midwifery programmes, demonstrating a strong and growing commitment to developing New Zealand's health workforce.' A full cost-benefit analysis was presented to Cabinet before any proposal was finalised, as part of the National – ACT coalition agreement. Mr Brown says the school builds on the Government's record investment in the health system and workforce. 'Today's announcement adds 120 doctor training places each year, starting in 2028 – a significant boost to our long-term pipeline of homegrown medical workforce. "This is 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.' Dr Reti says the decision represents a significant step forward for both the University of Waikato and the wider region. 'This is a major milestone for the University and a real boost for tertiary education in the Waikato. 'It strengthens the University's position as a leader in education, training, and research, and creates new academic and economic opportunities for Hamilton, the Waikato, and rural communities. '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. '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.'
