2 February 2026
Jane Craddock
By email: [FYI request #33029 email]
Tēnā koe Jane
I refer to your information request dated 28 November 2025 made under the Official Information Act
1982 (the Act). You have requested the following information:
Please can I request all correspondence, meeting minutes, cost-benefit analyses, business
cases or plans, role development plans, directives from Health NZ or the Ministry of Health of
the Minister for Health, and any correspondence or documentation involved in any formal or
informal discussions, plans, or policy relating to the creation of a training programme or course
for Physician Associates at the University of Otago?
Our response to your request follows.
On 16 August 2024 the University of Otago’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Health Sciences participated in a
30-minute Zoom discussion on the training of physician associates in New Zealand, which included
representatives of the New Zealand Physician Associate Society (NZPAS).
On 26 April 2025 the New Zealand Government announced that overseas-trained physician
associates would be regulated under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.
On 5 August the University received a further email from NZPAS offering a meeting concerning training
for physician associates in New Zealand, but no meeting occurred.
The University of Otago does not hold further information
relating to the creation of a training
programme or course for physician associates at the University of Otago.
We hope this information will be helpful.
If you are not satisfied with our response to your information request, section 28(3) of the Act provides
you with the right to ask an Ombudsman to investigate and review this response. However, we would
welcome the opportunity to discuss any concerns with you first.
Ngā mihi
Bill Frewen
Manager Policy and Compliance
Office of the Registrar and Secretary to the Council | Te Tari o Te Pouroki me te Kaituhi ki te Kaunihera
PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
[University of Otago request email]
otago.ac.nz
