Regulation of Physician Associates Marks a Turning Point for Rural Healthcare

The Government has announced that Physician Associates (PAs) will be formally regulated under the Medical Council of New Zealand, a step that supporters say will strengthen patient care and help address staffing shortages. Regulation is expected to begin in 2026 and could pave the way for a New Zealand-based PA training programme.

While the PA role has long been embedded in the healthcare systems of the United States and United Kingdom, it is still emerging in Aotearoa. Around 50 PAs currently practise across New Zealand, all of whom were certified in the US, UK or Canada.

The move to regulate the profession has been welcomed by practitioners who say it will support safer, more consistent care and offer greater clarity for both patients and healthcare teams. Lee Spencer, PA at Te Kuiti Medical Centre, sees regulation as an overdue but essential shift.

“It gives the profession legitimacy and assurance to the public that these people are qualified and competent,” says Spencer. “They’re not doctors, but they are trained clinicians with defined scopes and a valuable role to play — especially in places like ours.”

PAs are medically trained professionals who work under the supervision of doctors. They perform a broad range of autonomous clinical duties, from diagnosing illnesses to managing treatment plans. They are considered essential team members who improve access and continuity of care.

“Without regulation, it’s harder to integrate PAs fully into the clinical team. There’s always a question mark for some people — even if the PAs themselves are highly skilled,” Spencer says. “Regulation removes that doubt.”

Supporters believe the regulation of PAs will enhance workforce efficiency, reduce appointment delays, and provide much-needed relief for overstretched doctors and nurses. However, not all voices in the sector have been supportive. In late 2024, several health organisations raised concerns about duplicating existing roles. They argued that the focus should be on bolstering the current workforce of locally trained professionals. Still, data from the 2010–2015 pilot programme and more than 340,000 patient visits since show high satisfaction and strong safety outcomes, reinforcing the value of the PA role in clinical settings.

“The goal isn’t to flood the system with a new profession,” says Spencer. “It’s about filling gaps in care where needed — and doing so with oversight, training, and public trust. PAs can play a key role to improving New Zealand’s health care crisis; by extending a doctor’s reach, we improve patient access, reduce wait times, and enhance the quality of care.”

For existing PAs, regulation represents not only recognition but a foundation for career development. With clearer scopes, accountability, and the backing of the Medical Council, the profession is poised to grow in both numbers and impact.

As New Zealand looks to innovate within its health workforce, regulated PAs could become a vital part of the solution.