Kia ora koutou,

Spring has arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand, and with it a busy and consequential few months for our College community. The theme of this issue of O&G Magazine – operative obstetrics – is a reminder of the skilled, high-stakes work at the core of our specialty, and one that connects naturally to the conversations our committees have been having around workforce, training, and the sustainability of O&G services across the country. I am pleased to bring you this update.

RANZCOG Aotearoa New Zealand ASM 2026: A Moment to Reflect

When the winter edition of O&G Magazine went to press, the Aotearoa New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting was still ahead of us. I can now report that it was a resounding success. Attendance reached record numbers, and the feedback from members has been so positive, both about the quality of the preconference workshops and the scientific programme and the overall experience of coming together as a community.

What came through clearly in that feedback was how much our Aotearoa New Zealand members value having a locally focused event. The opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the country, to discuss issues specific to our health system and context, and to engage with science and practice that reflects who we are as a community – these are things that the Aotearoa ASM provides uniquely. I hope those of you who attended left feeling as energised as I did.

It was also a fantastic occasion welcoming our new Fellows and recognising the incredible contributions of some of our members at the elevation and awards ceremony, which I was delighted to host.

None of this happens without an enormous amount of behind-the-scenes work, and I want to again extend my sincere thanks to the Organising Committee. Thank you to everyone who contributed, including our sponsors, speakers, and all those who supported the event.

For anyone who was unable to attend (and everyone who did), save the dates for the next Aotearoa ASM: 2–4 April 2027 in Napier, Hawke’s Bay. I encourage you to come along, engage, present your research, and connect with colleagues.

An Election Year with Health Front and Centre

With the New Zealand General Election set for 7 November, it is an opportune moment to push women’s health to the top of the agenda. Health has emerged as a strong focus for voters and parties alike, and RANZCOG has been making the most of that environment to advance our advocacy priorities.

He Hono Wāhine, the Aotearoa New Zealand Committee, and Te Kāhui Oranga ō Nuku developed our election advocacy priorities through careful consultation with members. Those priorities – full funding of maternity ultrasound, full funding of cervical screening, investment in digital infrastructure, and establishment of a national pelvic pain service – are finding a receptive audience. I once again encourage you to continue raising these priorities with candidates and in your wider networks as we approach November. Your voice as a clinician carries weight, and the months before an election are an important window in which to use it.

A Changing Legislative Landscape

The regulatory environment governing health in Aotearoa New Zealand continues to evolve. At the time of writing, four important pieces of legislation that warrant your attention are working their way through the legislative process.

• The Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill represents significant change to the health system structures established under the original Pae Ora reforms.
• The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill will reshape the relationship between the Minister and regulators like the Medical Council, and introduce a new Health Practitioners’ Review Committee. RANZCOG submitted on earlier consultation for the review and will be responding to the select committee process.
• The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (3 Day Postnatal Stay) Amendment Bill. Alongside the New Zealand College of Midwives, RANZCOG has raised concerns about the need for adequate resourcing, both workforce and facilities, to support expansion of postnatal care. The College has also advocated for a flexible approach that accommodates the individualised needs of women and their whānau.
• The Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill seeks to provide clarity of definition, however RANZCOG has submitted in opposition to the Bill, with concern that the language used does not reflect biological reality and would have unintended consequences for health care access and treatment.

Workforce, Training, and Private Practice

Te Kāhui Oranga ō Nuku and the Aotearoa New Zealand Committee remain focused on workforce and training as priority areas throughout this period. The pressures on our O&G workforce are well known to members, from training challenges to the sustainability of services, including in provincial settings.

In this O&G Magazine issue focused on operative obstetrics, it is appropriate to acknowledge the challenges of obstetric service provision and ensuring responsive and safe care for women, babies, and whānau. It is also important to acknowledge that this often-non-deferrable work does override other training opportunities or less urgent gynaecological care that is still essential for women. We continue to advocate for both longer-term health service planning and more immediate solutions to be able to balance obstetric service provision, quality training, and gynaecological care.

We continue to work constructively with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora on supporting high-quality training and addressing the issues raised in the Medical Council’s Torohia medical training survey and through RANZCOG’s training site accreditation processes. There is ongoing work to do to improve workplace culture and wellbeing and to ensure our trainees are able to meet all their training requirements including access to gynaecological surgery, colposcopy, and ultrasound training. We’re also working with Te Whatu Ora on refining workforce modelling to give a better understanding of the O&G workforce that will be required to provide care in the future.

I’d like to acknowledge the work of the RANZCOG Aotearoa New Zealand Private O&G Committee that was established in late 2025. Changes to private insurance arrangements have been an ongoing concern for members, and the Private O&G Committee has navigated supporting members and providing professional expertise in a collaborative way that focuses on bringing parties together to strengthening ongoing access and care for women.

Looking Ahead

There is much to look forward to as we move into the final months of 2026 – not least the outcome of the General Election and what it may mean for the women’s health priorities we have been working so hard to advance. I am greatly appreciative of the continuing work you all do to keep the system functioning, and I am genuinely encouraged by the engagement of our membership and the work of our committees and staff on behalf of O&Gs and the women of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ngā mihi,

Dr Emma Jackson