Health Minister Jonathan Coleman took time out last week to drop in on college students attending a Health Careers Day.
Mr Coleman and Whanganui MP Chester Borrows surprised the nearly 100 students at Whanganui Hospital for the careers day, and spent about 20 minutes chatting with the group.
Mr Coleman told students about his background and the experiences he enjoyed as a doctor, including a stint as a flying doctor in Australia.
Whanganui District Health Board human resources and organisational development manager Hentie Cilliers said the careers day, hosted yearly by the health board, was about investing in the future of the Whanganui health sector.
"Having the minister of health here to speak to the group was a highlight for the students," he said. "It will be interesting to see if his visit translates into a number of them choosing health as a career.