A record number of Pacific Peoples junior doctors (55) have started work in hospitals across New Zealand this year, alongside a strong cohort of Māori graduates (77). This group represents a quarter of new doctors and will help reshape the future of the country’s health workforce, said a Health New Zealand statement.

Looking at ophthalmology training in New Zealand, two of seven trainees selected in 2025 were Māori and one was Pasifika, said Dr Justin Mora, co-chair for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) Māori and Pacific Peoples Eye Health Committee. “Increasing the number of Māori and Pasifika ophthalmologists is a key component of RANZCO’s Te Tiriti and Pacific Peoples Action Plans to improve eye health among Māori and Pasifika people.”

In 2016, RANZCO undertook a revision of its selection process and has since offered additional selection points for Māori and Pacific Peoples, Dr Mora said. “We have also been working hard to increase interest in ophthalmology among medical students and junior doctors. One example of this is the ophthalmology mentoring day for Māori and Pasifika medical students and junior doctors. From these mentoring days, we now have a database of almost 50 Māori and Pasifika medical students and junior doctors who have expressed an interest in ophthalmology.”