Coasties may soon see more doctors available in local clinics as New Zealand welcomes a new fast-track process to bring in specialist doctors from overseas.

This initiative, announced by Health Minister Dr Shane Reti, is expected to help ease the ongoing strain on the country’s health workforce by accelerating the registration process for eligible international specialists.

Starting 1 November, doctors trained in fields such as anaesthesia, emergency medicine, dermatology, and psychiatry from the UK, Ireland, and Australia will be able to complete the application process in just 20 working days—a major reduction from the usual six-month wait time.

According to Dr Reti, the move is designed to support improved access to healthcare across New Zealand, including on the Hibiscus Coast, where residents have felt the impact of the national doctor shortage.

“Speeding up a process that would usually take up to six months will help to fill critical gaps in New Zealand’s health workforce sooner and is just another step to improve Kiwis’ access to good, fast healthcare while we progress longer-term initiatives,” Dr Reti stated.

He added that these initiatives include increasing student placements at Auckland and Otago Medical Schools and looking into the development of a third medical school in Waikato.

The Medical Council, which oversees the registration of doctors in New Zealand, expects the new pathway to attract a greater number of UK and Irish-trained specialists.

This influx of overseas talent will provide a temporary but valuable solution as New Zealand works to expand its homegrown health workforce.

Dr Reti also expressed appreciation for the dedication of internationally qualified doctors, noting their continued contribution to maintaining quality healthcare.

“While we work to build our own, home-grown health workforce, internationally qualified specialists continue to have a critical role in providing quality health services for New Zealanders—I thank them for their hard work and dedication.”