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ACTPledged

An extra $400 million for general practice to keep GPs and add appointments

● Health2 tracked updates
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✦ AI Overview

Pitched as cutting GP waiting times by keeping experienced doctors in practice, helping them see more patients and attracting more from overseas, rather than subsidising extra visits.

📋 ACT: Shorter Waits for your GP, October 2026 →

What it does

  • An ongoing $100 million a year boost to general practice on top of normal capitation increases, totalling $400 million over the first four years.
  • Helps practices offer competitive pay and keep staff, so fewer GPs retire early or move overseas. ACT cites figures that 35 percent of GPs intend to retire within five years and 18 percent are considering a move overseas.
  • Supports practices to offer extra hours and reward additional appointments. ACT says GPs now average 33.9 hours a week, down from 36.4 a decade ago.
  • Streamlines medical regulators so qualified overseas doctors can start work sooner.
  • David Seymour said the extra $100 million a year was an increase of about 6 percent, which he hoped would mean at least 6 percent more patients seen.
  • Announced on 18 October 2026 by ACT's Tāmaki candidate James Christmas. ACT presents it alongside its Pharmacy First, medicines and cancer centre plans.

The debate

The General Practice Owners Association (GenPro) welcomed the pledge, with chair Dr Angus Chambers calling the extra money "a welcome recognition that we need to invest in the workforce" while saying the detail of the funding would be critical. Labour is campaigning on three free GP visits a year, funded by its capital gains tax, plus low-interest loans for doctors and nurse practitioners to set up or buy into practices. James Christmas said there was "no point promising more free appointments, if there aren't enough doctors to provide them".

This overview is summarised by AI from public sources. It may contain errors and is a guide, not the definitive record — we welcome corrections.

❓ Our Questions — you decide

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Should general practices get an extra $100 million a year from the government?
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Should GP funding focus on keeping doctors working rather than making visits free?
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Should it be easier for overseas-trained doctors to register to work here?
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Key milestones

18 Oct 2026official
ACT pledges $400 million for general practice

ACT said it would add an ongoing $100 million a year to general practice, on top of normal capitation increases, to keep doctors in New Zealand, attract more from overseas and deliver more appointments.

ACT will invest $400 million to get Kiwis more GP appointments (ACT) ↗
18 Oct 2026news
GP owners welcome the pledge

RNZ reported the General Practice Owners Association welcomed the boost, with chair Dr Angus Chambers saying the detail of the funding would be critical to delivering improvements for patients and practices.

ACT wants funding boost to retain GPs, attract more from overseas (RNZ) ↗

Sources

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