New Survey Shows Ongoing Staffing Challenges in New Zealand General Practices
A recent survey has highlighted that many general practices across New Zealand are still struggling to hire enough doctors. The report, which was released on 14 September 2026, examined 206 medical practices to understand the current state of primary healthcare staffing.
According to the findings, 47% of general practices currently have vacancies for General Practitioners (GPs). While this number is high, it shows a slight improvement compared to previous data, where the vacancy rate stood at 54%.
Despite this small decrease, the high number of unfilled positions remains a significant concern for the healthcare sector. Many clinics continue to face difficulties in maintaining a full team, which can impact the availability of appointments and the overall workload for existing staff.
The survey provides important data for policymakers and health organizations as they look for ways to support the medical workforce. Addressing these vacancies is considered a priority to ensure that all New Zealanders have reliable access to primary healthcare services in their local communities.