New Zealand Welcomes Doctors from Japan and South Korea to Strengthen Healthcare Workforce

New Zealand’s healthcare system is set to benefit from a new recruitment opportunity, as the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) has added Japan and South Korea to its list of comparable health systems. This decision makes it easier for doctors from these countries to have their credentials recognised and enter the workforce faster—helping address New Zealand’s ongoing doctor shortage.

Faster Registration, More Doctors
Previously, doctors from non-comparable health systems had to sit the NZREX exam and undergo lengthy training. Now, doctors from Japan and South Korea can skip this process and begin working after a 12-month supervised practice period.

Recruiters expect strong interest from medical professionals in these countries, offering much-needed relief to overburdened general practices and reducing patient wait times.

Benefits to New Zealand’s Healthcare System
✅ More GPs and primary care doctors to fill critical shortages.
✅ Better cultural representation for New Zealand’s growing Japanese and Korean communities.
✅ Faster onboarding process for internationally trained doctors.

Challenges and Workforce Needs
While this is a step forward, concerns remain about supervision capacity, as New Zealand already faces shortages in senior doctors. Samantha Murton, President of the Royal New Zealand College of GPs, emphasised the need for more support and funding to train incoming doctors effectively.

Additionally, Health Minister Simeon Brown’s recent $79 million investment in healthcare workforce training—including placements for both overseas and local graduates—is a welcome boost, but experts say New Zealand still needs 500-600 more GPs to meet demand.

This policy change is a positive step toward addressing the doctor shortage, but its success will depend on recruitment efforts, retention strategies, and adequate support for both new and existing healthcare professionals.

Please click here for the source article: https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/03/09/nz-opens-the-door-to-more-doctors-from-japan-south-korea/