Physician associates in Aotearoa New Zealand: advocating for your profession
Date published:
23 Mar 2026
When the Aotearoa New Zealand Government moved to regulate physician associates last year, we acted quickly. Our message was clear, introducing a new, unproven role is not the solution to a healthcare system already under pressure. Instead, the priority should be investing in and growing the existing, highly trained and regulated workforce you’re part of.
In
our submission to the Medical Council of New Zealand's consultation, we reinforced a clear position—there is no demonstrated need for physician associates, particularly when there is no local training pathway and significant workforce gaps remain among regulated health professionals. The focus needs to be on growing the existing Aotearoa New Zealand regulated healthcare workforce.
We also raised key concerns on your behalf. Physician associates must not replace physicians or trainees, reduce training opportunities, or add to supervision burdens. They cannot safely manage undifferentiated patients independently, and any role must be tightly regulated.
Just as importantly, we emphasised that cultural safety, cultural competence and Hauora Māori must be central to any regulatory approach. We also recommended changing the title 'physician associate' to a term such as ‘clinical assistant’.
This work builds on our ongoing advocacy and the work of our Binational Physician Assistant/Associate Working Group. A draft RACP position statement will be released for member consultation soon, giving you the opportunity to have your say.