1 October 2026
Today marks a historic and long-awaited milestone for healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand, as the Medical Council of New Zealand begins registration of Physician Associates (PAs).
For many New Zealanders, this may be the first time they have heard of the Physician Associate profession. While newly regulated in Aotearoa, Physician Associates are experienced medical professionals who have been part of healthcare systems around the world for decades, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Canada.
Working alongside doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, Physician Associates are trained in the medical model and support the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of patients. Around the world, they have become valued members of healthcare teams, helping improve access to care and supporting patients to receive timely treatment.
Although today marks the beginning of formal regulation, Physician Associates are not new to healthcare in Aotearoa. Approximately 60 Physician Associates are already working in urban and rural communities throughout Aotearoa, supporting patients and healthcare teams in primary care and other clinical settings.
For the patients and communities already receiving care from Physician Associates, registration provides an important foundation for that work to continue. It means Physician Associates can continue contributing to patient care as part of a regulated health profession, with defined professional standards and accountability to the public. As Aotearoa works to meet the healthcare needs of a growing and ageing population, every appropriately trained member of the health workforce has a role to play in helping people receive safe, timely and accessible care.
This milestone reflects years of dedication, partnership, consultation, and perseverance by many individuals and organisations who shared a common vision for strengthening Aotearoa’s health workforce. We extend our sincere gratitude to the healthcare professionals, employers, educators, policymakers, patients, whānau, iwi representatives, community leaders, and advocates who participated in the consultation process. Your willingness to engage, share perspectives, and contribute thoughtful feedback has helped shape the future of this profession in Aotearoa New Zealand.
We also extend our sincere gratitude to the Medical Council of New Zealand for its leadership throughout the regulatory process and for its commitment to public safety, professional standards, and quality patient care.
With this milestone comes an important responsibility. Health is a taonga, and supporting and protecting the wellbeing of our communities is both a privilege and a responsibility. As Physician Associates become part of Aotearoa’s regulated health workforce, we recognise the importance of providing inclusive, culturally safe and responsive care that honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and reflects the diverse communities we serve.
Physician Associates are committed to continuing their journey of learning and practising tikanga Māori while working alongside patients, tamariki, kaumātua, and their whānau. We recognise that healthcare is about more than treating illness. It is about building relationships, listening with respect, understanding individual needs and values, and supporting people through some of life’s most important decisions.
While the current Physician Associate workforce has been trained internationally, the vision for the future is firmly rooted in Aotearoa. Registration provides the foundation for developing local education and training pathways, creating opportunities for New Zealanders to enter the profession and helping build a sustainable workforce for generations to come.
Today’s milestone is therefore both an achievement and an invitation. It celebrates the contribution of internationally trained Physician Associates who have already demonstrated their value in Aotearoa’s communities, while opening the door to future locally trained practitioners who will further strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.
The work ahead will focus on earning trust, raising awareness of the profession, supporting successful integration into healthcare teams, and continuing to demonstrate how Physician Associates can complement existing professions in delivering safe, accessible, and high-quality care.
As our population grows, ages, and faces increasingly complex health needs, innovative workforce solutions will be essential. Physician Associates are one part of that future, working collaboratively alongside doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals to help ensure New Zealanders can access the care they need, when and where they need it.
We are proud of what has been achieved, humbled by the trust that has been placed in us, and hopeful for what lies ahead.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.
Media contact:
Meghan Branning, Physician Associate
New Zealand Physician Associate Society
Nzpas.org.nz, socials@nzpas.org.nz