Rural health leaders highlight opportunity to strengthen the rural GP workforce

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are highlighting an opportunity to strengthen rural general practice so communities can access high-quality health care close to home.

Rural communities experience poorer health outcomes than urban populations, with significant inequities for rural Māori. Many rural practices are struggling to recruit GPs, while a substantial proportion of the workforce is approaching retirement.

College President Dr Luke Bradford says rural GPs are highly skilled generalists who provide care across a broad scope of practice.

“We know rural communities experience poorer health outcomes and greater barriers to accessing healthcare. Strengthening the rural GP workforce is one of the most effective ways to improve access, reduce inequities and ensure people receive the care they need, when they need it.

“This is not simply a workforce issue. It is about ensuring rural New Zealanders have equitable access to high-quality healthcare.”

A review published today in the New Zealand Medical Journal brings together three decades of New Zealand literature on rural medicine. It identifies repeated calls for rural-specific postgraduate training and highlights the role dedicated pathways can play in supporting rural medical careers.

The College has developed GP Rural, a proposed postgraduate pathway within the established General Practice Education Programme. It would give registrars sustained preparation for rural practice and help support broader rural medical career pathways as rural health services evolve.

Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network Chief Executive Dr Grant Davidson says this is about building a rural health workforce that is equipped for the communities it serves.

“Hauora Taiwhenua continues to invest in encouraging young people into health careers of all types. However, we need specific training for those people who will be working at the top of their scopes in rural areas. For doctors that means a dedicated Rural GP Training Pathway would give them the skills, experience and confidence they need to build sustainable careers in rural communities.

“Rural communities cannot afford to wait for the workforce gap to grow further. Investing in rural GP training now is an investment in the long-term sustainability of rural health care and in ensuring people can continue to access care closer to home.”

College Chief Executive Toby Beaglehole says GP Rural is a practical opportunity to support the future workforce.

“GP Rural would prepare doctors for the realities of rural practice and support more of them to build long-term careers in rural communities.

“Workforce shortages cannot be solved overnight. Long-term progress requires sustained commitment and collaboration across the health system.”

The College and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network encourage continued investment in rural medical workforce development. GP Rural could make a meaningful contribution while supporting a more integrated approach to rural medical training and career development.

Notes for editors

• The review is: Blattner K, Clay L, Miller R, Nixon G, Stokes T. Rural medicine in Aotearoa New Zealand: a narrative synthesis of the literature with a postgraduate focus. New Zealand Medical Journal. 25 September 2026;139(1642):141–149.
• The review synthesised 36 New Zealand articles published across a 30-year period.