Lara Zijl 
Waikato, New Zealand – In a significant move for the region’s healthcare, former National MP and current Hamilton City Councillor, Tim Macindoe, has been appointed as an ambassador to advocate for the University of Waikato’s proposed third medical school. The initiative aims to address the critical shortage of General Practitioners (GPs) across New Zealand, especially in rural areas.
The proposed medical school, based on an internationally proven model, has been a topic of debate since 2017. However, it gained traction after the National Party campaigned on it ahead of the recent general election. The university signed a memorandum of understanding with the new government earlier this year, and Health Minister Dr. Shane Reti announced that an initial cost-benefit analysis provided confidence for the project to progress to the next stage.
Despite some opposition, including ACT leader David Seymour expressing dissatisfaction with the analysis, Macindoe remains optimistic. He believes the new medical school will not only help fill the GP shortage but also bolster local hospitals by integrating them into the training program.
The project is expected to cost around $380 million, with $100 million to be funded by the university. Macindoe will be visiting councils around the country to raise awareness and garner support for the initiative.
