Who we are
The New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons (NZAPS) is a non-profit, professional association devoted to maintenance of excellent ethical and professional standards within the field and the provision of information to all interested parties.
The aims of the Association are simply put:
- We are committed to upholding the highest standards of surgical excellence, both in clinical practice and in the training of future specialists.
- We are committed to fostering the growth and spread of knowledge within our discipline by the promotion of research and adherence to the principles of evidence-based practice.
- We are committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical practice in which the patient’s safety and welfare are the first consideration.
The NZAPS is a professional association of approximately 47 qualified and registered
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Apart from one or two retired surgeons and some overseas members, this constitutes the entire New Zealand–wide workforce of Plastic
Surgeons. As such, NZAPS provides a voice for Plastic Surgeons in discussions with the government, the Ministry of Health and bodies such as the Medical Council. The Training and Education sub-committee of the association is responsible for overseeing matters pertaining to the training of Plastic Surgeons in New Zealand and accordingly liaises closely with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in this regard.
The association accepts as members only Surgeons who hold the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) or an equivalent qualification in Plastic Surgery. Usually this means that the holder has completed at least six to eight years of study and advanced surgical training, after graduating from Medical School; in some cases, members have completed up to 14 years of such training before entering professional practice. The differences in training times reflect the specific sub-specialty training requirements of sub-disciplines of Plastic Surgery such as cranio-maxillo-facial surgery, Paediatric Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery. Prospective members have to be sponsored by an existing member and their nomination then seconded by another NZAPS member; admission is then decided by a vote of the membership at the Annual General Meeting.