ACT pledges $400m over four years to boost GP pay and appointments

What happened

ACT is committing $400 million over four years—$100 million annually on top of normal capitation increases—to general practice to retain doctors and increase appointment availability. The party says the funding will help practices offer competitive pay, retain experienced staff, and encourage GPs to work longer hours. ACT leader David Seymour noted that 35 per cent of GPs intend to retire within five years and 18 per cent are considering moving overseas. The party also plans to streamline medical regulator processes to attract qualified doctors from overseas. GPs currently work an average of 33.9 hours a week, down from 36.4 a decade ago, and restoring previous levels would be equivalent to hundreds of additional full-time doctors without recruiting new ones. The General Practice Owners Association welcomed the commitment, saying sustained investment is essential to retaining GPs and improving access to primary care. ACT contrasts its approach with Labour's policy of three free GP visits, arguing that increasing supply through better pay and conditions addresses the real problem of workforce capacity rather than simply subsidising demand.

Why it matters

This policy extends ACT's election platform, which has focused on fiscal restraint and specific spending commitments. On 11 October, Seymour released a fiscal plan cutting $12.4 billion in government debt through spending reductions; this healthcare announcement represents targeted investment within that framework, contrasting with other parties' approaches to healthcare funding.

Follow the whole thread: ACT 2026 election policy platform

Key facts

• $400 million committed over four years ($100 million annually)
• 35% of GPs intending to retire within five years; 18% considering moving overseas
• GPs work average 33.9 hours a week, down from 36.4 a decade ago
• One in four adults and one in five children missed a GP visit in 2024/25 due to long waits
• Medical Council recognises 29 countries for streamlined doctor registration

Covered byRNZStuffNZ Herald1NewsNewstalk ZBNot covered byOtago Daily TimesNewsroomThe SpinoffBusinessDeskinterest.co.nz

Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.

Where the outlets differ

Newstalk ZB and 1News provide the most detail on workforce statistics and policy rationale. NZ Herald emphasises ACT's contrast with Labour's three free visits policy. Stuff's headline focuses narrowly on the payment incentive. RNZ's article is mainly a link to live election coverage with limited detail.

What outlets are saying