College of GPs announces new President and Board member

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) has announced its new President and re-elected Board member, who will both officially take up their roles on 26 July 2025.

College President

Only one nomination was received for the role of College President - Dr Luke Bradford, therefore no election took place. Dr Bradford has been the College’s Medical Director since 2023 and has now officially been confirmed as President-elect.

"Thank you to those who have reached out and wished me well since the announcement," says Dr Bradford.

"We all know the sector faces many well-documented challenges and within the membership there are many perspectives on how we can address these challenges to improve the state of the workforce, improve health outcomes and provide timely and equitable access to primary care services. It is my aim to represent your views on these important topics diligently and with integrity.

"Continuing the work to ensure general practice and rural hospital medicine attracts the best and the brightest of the future generations who are well trained and equipped to become highly skilled specialists is high on my agenda. As is providing a supportive environment for our members as they progress through their careers.

"I’d like to also acknowledge outgoing President Sam Murton who has been in the role for the past six years and had a significant impact across primary care and the wider heath sector. She is recognised and respected for her strong sense of advocacy, and I’ve enjoyed working alongside her over the past two years in my time as medical director."

College Chief Executive Toby Beaglehole says, "Dr Bradford is well-known across the sector for his future-focused approach to advocacy. His time as Medical Director has equipped him with a strong sense of our members’ priorities and the actions we need to take to address their challenges. I look forward to working with him as we continue our efforts to build a sustainable workforce for our members and their patients alike."

About Dr Bradford

He trained in Southampton in the UK and moved to New Zealand in 2008. Initially working in emergency medicine, Dr Bradford left the hospital system and worked in urgent care, hauora medicine at Ngati Kahu Hauora, completed GPEP training and then onto 5 th Avenue.

He has chaired at PHO level and was Chief Medical Officer at Bay of Plenty DHB prior to being appointed Medical Director of the College in 2023. In his role as Medical Director Dr Bradford advocates for College members and the wider primary care workforce and is a regular commentator across national media providing clinical advice and updates.

College Board member

For the role of College Board member, there were seven nominated candidates and following the voting process, Dr Karl Cole has been re-elected as a College Board member.

About Dr Karl Cole

Dr Cole is a GP in Papatoetoe, South Auckland where he co-owns and has developed a purpose-built multidisciplinary Health Hub serving a diverse community. A NZ-trained doctor of Ngāi Tahu descent, he gained Fellowship of the RNZCGP in 2004 and has been dedicated to general practice ever since.

He is a strong advocate for independent, community-led primary care and believes that the future of general practice must be flexible, patient-centred and ready for the digital age. His experience spans both frontline medicine and health system leadership, ensuring he understands the challenges facing primary care from multiple perspectives.

Karl sought re-election on to the College board to continue advocating for GPs, championing innovation and ensuring the specialty remains sustainable, adaptable, and valued in an evolving health system.

College Chief Executive, Toby Beaglehole says "I welcome back Dr Karl Cole to the board, who has extensive experience within ICT-enabled change and is passionate about patient-centred care with an emphasis on self-management. I look forward to working with him for the next three years."

"To our outgoing President, Dr Sam Murton, on behalf of the Board I’d like to acknowledge Sam for her contribution and dedication to her role as President. Her knowledge and expertise have helped guide the College’s strategic direction and our advocacy efforts over the past six years. I have enjoyed working alongside her since arrive at the College last year," says Mr Beaglehole.

The tenure for the roles of College President and Board member is three years, with the option to run for a second three-year term.