It is my pleasure to create my first formal newsletter as Chief Executive Officer. I would like to thank the Executive Committee for their trust in me to help move the College forward with the revised governance structures and roles, the development of the College strategy, and the fresh approach to our training and education activities. While there is a significant amount of work, I am looking forward to it with renewed vigour, hoping to truly help this College move forward.
Governance Review
The Governance Working Group is steadily moving forward with recommendations for future committee structures, and I hope that we will be able to announce the structures soon, along with a change management plan to implement the new ideas.
I am currently recruiting for an Operations Manager, and this process is going particularly well. We have had a significant number of applicants, and the quality of those on the long list already seems much higher than I anticipated. My intention is to have someone in post by mid-June.
Society Rules
This year there will be a change to the society rules, brought about by the Societies Act 2022, the governance changes, and our accreditation with MCNZ. We aim to hold an SGM later in the year to approve the new rules, with significant consultation occurring prior.
Strategy
The term of our current strategy ended in 2024 so we must develop a new one in 2025. I received great feedback from members in 2023 and at Boot Camp 2024 on the draft proposed version I shared. I will be finalising it, presenting it to the Executive Committee and members, with an aim of having it endorsed by the members at the SGM to be called for the revised society rules.
Well-being officers – please volunteer
The well-being policy is finalised and available. We are still looking for Fellows to be well-being officers. The role is very, very small; the number of times we are called upon for someone needing additional support is only once or twice a year. But at those times, it is useful for us to have someone independent who is able to mentor, help, and support whoever needs it. If you have any interest at all in supporting us by being a well-being officer, please get in touch with me.
Membership fee 2025
The AGM agreed to the revised membership fee (Fellows and overseas trainees) of $1300 (plus GST if applicable). The membership fee for NZ-based trainees is set at $650 plus GST.
I will issue membership invoices later in May. As in previous years, anyone who wishes to pay in instalments should contact the office as soon as they receive the invoice so that we may set up the instalment invoices. If you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to discuss options, please feel free to email me so that we can find appropriate solutions.
Registrar Committee involvement
The registrar committee is seeking more trainees to be involved in their advocacy, support, and guidance to registrars.
Bootcamp 2026 – 18, 19, 20 September 2026
Reserve the date in your diary for Bootcamp 2026. It will be the 25th anniversary of the College and we’re planning to make this an extra celebratory affair. We will hold it in Auckland due to the high number of guests that we plan to invite, most of whom will be from Auckland.
College history – seeking someone to help develop the history of the College
I am hoping that we can develop a record with the history of the College from its early days as AMPA through to now. I’m seeking someone who has an interest in developing this. Please contact me to discuss. I aim to have funding for this important and fun project, which will contribute significantly the College’s prestige.
MCNZ call for applications or nominations to join the MCNZ Education Committee
I received a notification from MCNZ, requesting applications or nominations to join the MCNZ Education Committee. The email text is copied below my signature block. Questions and applications should be directed to MCNZ.
Adrian
| Adrian Metcalfe Chief Executive Officer Level 2, 110 Lunn Avenue, Remuera, Auckland 1072, New Zealand P. 64 9 527 7966 www.rnzcuc.org.nz |
Request for member of a medical college to participate in the work of the Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand – applications or nominations
Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand (Council) is seeking nominations from medical colleges, to appoint a vocationally-registered member of a medical college, to its Education Committee (the Committee).
We are also seeking expressions of interest from vocationally-registered doctors with experience in medical education and training in joining the pool of potential accreditation panel members. While we are seeking expressions of interest broadly, we are particularly seeking Māori members.
We would be grateful if you would support this nomination process and circulate this to relevant college members.
Education Committee
The Committee is a standing committee of Council that advises and makes recommendations to Council about medical education and training in Aotearoa New Zealand. It also makes decisions on the accreditation status of training providers. You can view the Committee’s terms of reference on our website.
The ideal candidate will:
- have a strong interest in how medical education and training in Aotearoa New Zealand is provided to medical students and medical trainees, with experience of contributing to the delivery of a medical college’s vocational training programme/programmes
- be able to participate constructively in discussion with other Committee members regarding education matters including the Council’s role in accrediting medical schools, districts of Te Whatu Ora for prevocational medical training, and medical colleges as vocational training and recertification providers
- understand Council’s wider role and function as a regulatory body
- be actively practising and participating in a Council-accredited vocational recertification programme.
The successful applicant will join the Committee in August 2025 for a period of three years. The appointed member must be able to commit to attending quarterly meetings (two via Zoom and two at Council’s offices in Wellington).
The remaining meeting dates for 2025 are 5 June, 14 August, and 20 November. The member should be available to attend their first meeting on 14 August 2025.
As a member of Council’s Education Committee, the appointed member is likely to be invited to join several accreditation panels over their term of office.
Accreditation panel member
Council accredits prevocational training providers (Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora districts) and Aotearoa New Zealand vocational training and recertification providers. Our standards for prevocational and vocational training providers identify the core criteria that must exist in all accredited training programmes. In partnership with the Australian Medical Council, we accredit Aotearoa New Zealand medical schools and Australasian medical colleges.
Accreditation panels are responsible for:
- assessing the training programme and the training provider against the accreditation standards
- assessing the information provided by the training provider in the self-assessment and through the accreditation site visit
- preparing a draft report that assesses the programme against the accreditation standards and identifies strengths and areas for improvement.
Please visit our website for more information about the Council’s work in medical education and training.
Nominations – Education Committee position
To be considered for this vacancy, we will need the candidate’s CV and a cover letter.
We ask that each college nominates only one individual to the Education Committee position and provides a letter of support.
Please send nominations for the attention of Chris Jenkinson, Manager – Education, including the candidate’s covering letter and CV, and the college’s letter of support, at education@mcnz.org.nz by 11 June 2025.
Interviews for the vacancy are likely to take place between 23 June and 14 July 2025 via Zoom.
Expressions of interest – accreditation panel member pool
We invite individuals interested in joining the accreditation panel member pool to contact the Council directly at education@mcnz.org.nz, with a copy of their CV and a covering letter identifying their experience in medical education and training.
Further information or questions
Council staff are available for informal discussions with interested applicants.
If you have any questions about these opportunities, or wish to discuss it in more detail, please feel free to contact the Council’s Education team at education@mcnz.org.nz.
Ngā mihi
Chris Jenkinson
Kaiwhakahaere – Mātauranga
Manager – Education
Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand