The University of Auckland’s Rural Medical Immersion Programme (RMIP) will expand to Taupō in 2027, creating new opportunities for medical students to train in rural healthcare settings and strengthening connections with communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The year-long programme places fifth-year medical students in rural locations, where they work alongside general practitioners, rural hospital doctors and multidisciplinary teams. Through these placements, students gain broad clinical experience while building a deeper understanding of the unique strengths and challenges of rural medicine.
Taupō will become the programme’s fifth year-long placement site, joining Hāwera, Hauraki/Thames, Te Kūiti and Wellsford.
RMIP academic lead Dr Hannah Lawn says the expansion reflects the University’s strong commitment to rural health training.
“The move into Taupō reflects the outstanding support of local clinicians and the wider community for growing the rural medical workforce,” she says.
“By immersing students in both clinical practice and community life, we aim to inspire more graduates to pursue rewarding careers serving rural New Zealand.”
Taupō Hospital clinical lead Dr Ralston D’Souza says the team has been preparing for this opportunity for some time.
“We’re really excited to have RMIP expand to Taupō,” he says. “Our team has worked hard to build a strong culture of training and pastoral care for both students and resident doctors.”
He says the wider community has also played an important role in supporting training in the region, particularly by helping with short-term accommodation for students.
“Our past students have been some of the strongest advocates for bringing RMIP to Taupō,” he says.
D’Souza also drew on his own experience of rural training, noting the long-term impact it can have.
“I completed the Whakatāne Rural Health Interprofessional Programme in 2016, and it completely changed the trajectory of my life,” he says. “I grew up in Auckland and now live and work in Taupō as a rural hospital medicine specialist and GP.
“I’m hoping to inspire more students to take a similar path.”
University of Auckland Rural Health Unit Director and Associate Dean Rural Health, Associate
Professor Kyle Eggleton, says the RMIP model has a strong track record.
“RMIP is proven to increase the likelihood that medical students will go on to become rural doctors,” he says.
“The Rural Health Unit is committed to building the future rural medical workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand, and we believe this initiative will help grow the number of rural doctors in Taupō.”
The addition of Taupō builds on the University’s long-standing commitment to rural health. Through extended placements, students develop enduring relationships with patients, clinicians and communities, while gaining experience across primary, secondary and community-based care.