Does NZ still have a colonial bias for overseas doctors?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-05-23 00:01

New Zealand

Luis Mendelez via Unsplash

There are "striking similarities" between modern-day and colonial policies for how New Zealand categorises international medical graduates, often favouring doctors from the UK and other high-income countries. New research highlights how in the 1980s, graduates from the “old white Commonwealth” were almost automatically accepted into New Zealand, and more recently questions have been raised about why a UK medical test is considered equivalent to a NZ medical test. The authors say that despite New Zealand's reliance on international doctors due to local shortages, many qualified overseas doctors struggle to find placements today.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

This article explores the history of medical licensing for overseas-trained doctors in Aotearoa New Zealand. Since 1849, policies have often favoured doctors from the United Kingdom and other highincome countries, while others face tougher requirements like the New Zealand Registration Examination process. Despite the country’s reliance on international doctors due to local shortages, many qualified overseas doctors struggle to find placements today. The article highlights how current policies may reflect old colonial biases and calls for fairer, more transparent systems to better address New Zealand’s healthcare needs.

Journal/
conference: NZMJ

Organisation/s: Massey University

Funder: N/A

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