By 'Alakihihifo Vailala, PMN
Photo: Supplied / Google Maps
The newly-established medical school at Waikato University, the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine, will not implement specific quotas for Pacific students, according to the Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.
But he says that the academic institution, which will begin in 2028, will prioritise under-represented communities.
In an interview on Pacific Mornings, Reti says, "What they have indicated is that as part of the selection process, even though they may not have targeted pathways or quotas per se, that the selection process will take into account those areas where we are under-represented, underweighted, where we have vulnerable populations as part of that selection process.
Dr Shane Reti says the academic institution, which will begin in 2028, will prioritise under-represented communities. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
"But they have indicated in this first instance that there won't be quotas per se."
His comments follow the government's announcement of the new medical school at the University of Waikato.
The third medical school in the country will receive $82.85 million in government funding and over $150m from the university, most of which comes from philanthropic donations.
"What I would like to see are the graduates focused and directed as much as possible towards where we have need, and those areas where we have need are general practice, rural environments," Reti says.
"And then within those areas, of course, we have needs for Pasifika, we have needs for Māori, we have a range of other needs."
According to the Ministry of Health, Pacific people make up 2.6 per cent, or 522, of all doctors in New Zealand. This represents a threefold increase since 2005, when there were around 131 Pacific doctors.
In a related initiative, Reti announced a $4m contribution to assist Fiji in addressing a severe HIV outbreak.
He says the funding will mainly support educational initiatives and boost diagnostic capabilities.
"Our contribution will help them with what some would say is the most important component to HIV, that is, the education component, which will have a close association with drug use through the Pacific."
Reti's comments followed discussions after the recent Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers' meeting in Suva, which he described as action-oriented, with clear objectives aimed at tackling regional challenges.
The meeting also focused on preparations for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders' summit in Honiara later this year.
Reflecting on cultural milestones, Reti celebrated New Zealand's first-ever Bislama Language Week in Papamoa, coinciding with Vanuatu's 45th independence celebrations.
He praised the significance of cultural recognition and community engagement, sharing his experiences during a diplomatic mission to Vanuatu with Foreign Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters.
"I've had the privilege of standing on the new wharf at Vanuatu on a diplomatic mission that I've had with Minister Peters," Reti says.
"I've had the privilege of standing underneath the roof of the women's market and had the privilege of standing in the talking circle beside the Parliament, and so they were able to get a further sense of, oh, he's actually been in our home.
"He's been in our place. He gets us. So it was just a wonderful event, and very excited for them."
-This article was first published by PMN.
