Data from the Ministry of Education show 51,845 people were predominantly studying within the health sector last year.
Data from the Ministry of Education show 51,845 people were predominantly studying within the health sector last year.
Health study enrolments have surged to a decade high, but concerns remain it’s not going to fix ongoing workforce shortages.
Ministry of Education data show 51,845 people were enrolled in health as their predominant field of study last year – the highest figure since records began in 2016.
The figuresare based on students’ predominant field of study, meaning the main area of study within their qualification.
International students made up a large portion of the growth, with 4900 enrolled in 2025 – up from 3430 in 2016.
Nursing enrolments rose by 13.8% over the 10 years, with numbers peaking last year at 17,790.
Dental policy director Robin Whyman said these students will be qualified as oral health therapists, rather than dentists.
“Dentistry, which trains dentists for our community, has a cap of 60 domestic students.”
“The public may see an improvement in access to child and adolescent oral health services if the students undertaking these programmes remain in the oral health workforce, and can achieve employment in the Health NZ community oral health service,” he said.
“The biggest barrier to New Zealand students wishing to join the dental workforce is the cap on domestic training places, with between 800 and 900 applications per year for the 60 domestic places.”
Public health enrolments were the only sub-sector to drop, from 8725 in 2016 to 6480 last year.
“And 61% of new graduates have already stated that they will look elsewhere, overseas or internationally, if they can’t secure a job here in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Whare stressed that it’s also becoming harder for students to take part in unpaid placement, with rising living and fuel costs.
“Placements are often full time and require students to cover travel, accommodation, uniform, childcare and food [costs].
“So if the Government can look at paid placement allowances, maybe looking at travel and accommodation support to tertiary providers, some fuel subsidies, and better local placement planning would be great.”
Health Minister Simeon Brown. Photo / RNZ, Mark Papalii
Health Minister Simeon Brown said it’s encouraging to see rising enrolments in health courses.
“Since 2023, hundreds more doctors and around 2000 nurses have joined Health New Zealand’s front line, many of them recent graduates.
“Our health graduates have a vital role to play in the future of our healthcare system, and we will continue to support them into frontline roles where they are needed most, so more New Zealanders can access the care they need.”
Brown said strengthening and increasing our homegrown health workforce remains a focus in his role.
Whare said expanding supported entry roles across hospitals, community, primary care, and aged-care settings would help retain graduates.
“They’ve been striking for the last couple of years in regards to safe staffing and better work conditions.
“Nurses are doing what they have to do to ensure their patients are well-looked after and advocated for.
“And maybe if they’re able to align it with the training numbers, and how many funded jobs are available would be really beneficial for the people on the ground trying to match students to jobs.”
Jaime Cunningham is a Christchurch-based reporter with a focus on education, social issues and general news. She joined Newstalk ZB in 2023 after working as a sports reporter at the Christchurch Star.
