| New Zealand Medical Students' Association | |
| Established: | 1972 |
| Location: | New Zealand |
| Members: | c. 3,000 |
| Homepage: | www.nzmsa.org.nz |
The New Zealand Medical Students' Association Incorporated (NZMSA) is the peak representative body for all medical students in New Zealand. The NZMSA executive is composed of representatives that are elected from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin medical schools. NZMSA represents medical students on many levels, from universities to government representation.[1]
Membership is open to students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree at either the University of Otago or the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
The president is elected annually by the NZMSA Executive and holds the position for one year. Any member is eligible to run for the position of president.
Source:[2]
NZMSA issues two awards per year to a nominated member of the association. The awards are the NZMSA President's Award for Individual Excellence and the NZMSA Award for Best New Student Initiative.
This is awarded to "a student who makes an outstanding contribution to the medical student body, recognised for creative problem solving; inspiring their peers and others around them; and their energy and enthusiasm for medicine, education and their community".[3]
This is awarded to "an individual or group of students who have started the most innovative and successful project for that preceding academic year".
Each year, the New Zealand Medical Students' Association holds a conference which brings together medical students from all around the country.
The location of the conference varies from year to year. In 2011, the conference was held in Auckland.
The annual NZMSA Sports Exchange was established in 2010. Teams from each of the four medical schools in New Zealand compete in a variety of sports.