FAQs

The New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine (NZCPHM) was established as an incorporated society in 2008 to represent the medical specialty of public health medicine in New Zealand. Its establishment ensured that public health needs unique to New Zealand were represented and acknowledged within the New Zealand context.

The NZCPHM has three main functions:

1. It administers a continuing professional development programme for recertification of Public Health Physicians in New Zealand.
2. It provides the only certified training programme for the post-graduate medical speciality of public health medicine in New Zealand.
3. It develops policy and advocates for important public health issues on behalf of NZCPHM members and the New Zealand public.

The College also acts as a Vocational Education and Advisory Body for the Medical Council of New Zealand and is a member of the Council of Medical Colleges.

The New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine (NZCPHM) was established as an incorporated society in 2008 to represent the medical specialty of public health medicine in New Zealand. Its establishment ensured that public health needs unique to New Zealand were represented and acknowledged within the New Zealand context.

The NZCPHM has three main functions:

1. It administers a continuing professional development programme for recertification of Public Health Physicians in New Zealand.
2. It provides the only certified training programme for the post-graduate medical specialty of public health medicine in New Zealand.
3. It develops policy and advocates for important public health issues on behalf on NZCPHM members and the New Zealand public.

The College also acts as a Vocational Education and Advisory Body for the Medical Council of New Zealand and is a member of the Council of Medical Colleges.

Public health is a specialty of medicine that many doctors contribute to by the nature of their work. The NZCPHM offers Associate Membership to qualified medical practitioners registered in a scope of practice other than public health who have experience in, and a commitment to, Public Health Medicine.

College membership offers the opportunity to be part of a professional organisation that reflects the values that probably underpin your interest and commitment to public health medicine. The College provides a world class training programme which allows people of like minds to be brought into the 'whānau': the beginning of a journey that will hopefully last a lifetime. It provides an environment where colleagues contribute to each other's development, encourages the exploration of ideas, provides opportunities for continuing professional development and honours those who continue to contribute but who no longer have active careers in public health.

As a member of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine you will benefit from:

• the opportunity to contribute to College policy, submissions and discussion around Public Health issues
• the opportunity to attend the College Annual Scientific Meeting at which health sector leaders and inspirational speakers discuss topical issues with College members
• the opportunity to network with like-minded public health experts and colleagues
• notice of continuing professional development opportunities relating to public health
• access to online resources including presentations and discussion papers by Fellows
• the use of post-nominal letters AMNZCPHM (Associate Member)
• eligibility to participate and vote at the AGM
  

As a member of the College, we would expect you to have some or all of the following:

• A willingness to uphold the College's core set of values demonstrated by:

- Behaving honestly and ethically

- Advocating to improve public health and reduce health inequities in Aotearoa New Zealand

- Acting swiftly on important public health threats

- Undertaking training and continuing professional development to ensure the safety and effectiveness of their practice

- Improving their cultural safety, developing cross-cultural partnerships and acting to address cultural bias whenever they find it

- Working in partnership with Māori

- Empowering communities to act on public health issues that affect them

- Supporting colleagues and multidisciplinary teams personally and professionally

- Seeking to use evidence as the basis of their practice

- Seeking sustainable processes and outcomes

- Promoting excellence in health and health services planning and management

- Working with vulnerable communities

- Recognising New Zealand's status as a Pacific Nation

• A willingness to support colleagues starting on the journey
• A desire to share work that will help inform the work of colleagues and others in public health
• A desire to make a personal contribution to the College through supervising, mentoring or sharing
• A desire to honour the role of the Treaty of Waitangi in your work
• A commitment to the prevention of ill health and reduction of inequalities on a population level
  

To become an Associate Member, you need to complete the application process here.

You will need to provide:

1. A statement outlining the reasons why you would like to become an Associate Member
2. A brief Curriculum Vitae listing work experience and qualifications, particularly in relation to public health
3. A completed nomination form with the dated signatures of two Fellows of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine (FNZCPHM)

You will also need to arrange for a Certificate of Professional Status to be submitted directly to the College from the Medical Council of New Zealand and/or any other regulatory authority that you have been registered with within the last five years.

Your application will not be processed until all required document is received and payment made.

There is a one-off fee for your application to be processed and an annual membership fee will apply; the current fee can be found here.

Membership fees go towards: College administration; the governance of all College programmes, activities and functions; information systems and ongoing maintenance; the NZCPHM Annual Scientific Meeting; communications including monthly newsletters and media releases; the coordination and delivery of a MCNZ accredited vocational training programme; administration of the John McLeod Fund; and TOPS administration.

If you have any other questions that are not covered here, please contact the College:

Email: admin@nzcphm.org.nz

Phone: 04 472 9183