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Applications update

From 2027, there is a change in employment arrangements for the General Practice Education Programme (GPEP) with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) taking over employment for registrars in their first year of GPEP training who would have previously been College employed.

This change will see Health New Zealand replace the College as the employer. The practice-employed option will still be available and will not be impacted by this change.

Candidates applying for the 2027 GPEP intake will select an employment option from Health New Zealand employed, practice-employed or self-funded.

The College will continue to be the primary contact for all GPEP queries. The process for HNZ employment queries will be confirmed and communicated with the relevant candidates.

Applications for the 2027 GPEP intake will be open from 10am Monday 9 March – Monday 13 April 2026.

If you have any questions about this change or the application process, please contact: gpepapplications@rnzcgp.org.nz. Please check back here regularly for updates and further information.

Key admission dates

  • Applications for the 2027 GPEP intake will be open from 10am Monday 9 March – Monday 13 April 2026.
  • Successful applicants will be sent conditional offers of training in June/July
  • GPEP year 1 starts the following February

Applying for GPEP

To apply for GPEP you need to:

  1. check you are eligible
  2. prepare your documentation, application answers, and pick your referees
  3. complete your application form
  4. pay the application fee.

Before you begin your application form, it’s a good idea to read the step-by-step admission process and documentation and reference requirements.

If you are a doctor who trained in general practice overseas, you should apply first through our Prior Specialist Training programme.

Tips for completing the application form

  • We recommend completing the application in Chrome or Edge on a computer.  It will work on smartphones and tablets; however the best user experience is on a computer.
  • Be aware the login uses multifactor authentication. This means you can expect to be sent a verification code to your email address each time you log in to the portal. Ensure you use an email address you will have long term access to.
  • To save your application for later completion, click 'Finish Later.' This will ensure your progress is saved and you can complete your application later.
  • If you log back in to your application and experience the page refreshing itself, restart the browser and log back in again – this should take you straight to your homepage.

If your application is unsuccessful

You are welcome to reapply for GPEP again the following year.  If you have concerns about the admissions process, please read our Appeals Policy.

Pātai about the application process?

Email us at gpepapplications@rnzcgp.org.nz.