Construction will begin this year on a new medical school at Waikato University.  

The Government's chipping in $83 million, alongside $150 million from the University and philanthropic investors. 

It'll have a strong focus on primary care and rural health and offer a graduate-entry programme. 

Health Minister Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking they’ve gone through a rigorous process to ensure it’s as efficient and cost-effective as possible, so they can build the long-term pipeline that New Zealand needs. 

The postgraduate course element is already a successful model in Australia, he says. 

Brown told Hosking that it's about attracting people who are already living in rural communities, giving them opportunities to train and stay in place so we can attract and retain graduates.  

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