Auckland RRAS — Regional Rural Admission Scheme
Auckland FMHS · 2027 Entry · Rural Eligibility · Separate Ranking Pool
The Regional Rural Admission Scheme (RRAS) is a dedicated admission sub-scheme at the University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FMHS). It is designed to increase the proportion of MBChB graduates from rural and regional backgrounds — research consistently shows that rural-origin doctors are far more likely to practise in rural communities after graduation. RRAS-eligible applicants compete in a separate ranking pool against other RRAS applicants, giving rural-background students a fairer chance at a medical school place. This guide covers who qualifies, how rurality is assessed, what evidence is required, how the separate ranking pool works, and how RRAS relates to MAPAS and the Otago Rural Origins pathway.
RRAS eligibility criteria
To be eligible for RRAS you must meet the general MBChB academic and UCAT-ANZ requirements and meet at least one of the following educational background criteria:
5 or more years of primary education (Years 1–8) at a school in a rural or regional area as defined by Statistics New Zealand's 2020 Urban Accessibility classification.
3 or more years of secondary education (Years 9–13) at a school in a rural or regional area as defined by Statistics New Zealand's 2020 Urban Accessibility classification.
Note that residence in a rural area is not sufficient — the criterion is based on the location of the school you attended, not where you lived. If your school is in a qualifying rural area but you commuted from a city, you would need to confirm with FMHS admissions whether your specific situation is eligible.
Statistics NZ 2020 Urban Accessibility classification
The Statistics New Zealand 2020 Urban Accessibility (UA) classification assigns geographic areas across Aotearoa New Zealand to categories based on their accessibility to urban centres. RRAS eligibility applies to schools in the qualifying zones of this framework — typically medium urban accessibility, low urban accessibility, remote and very remote classifications.
Major urban centres (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin and their surrounding suburban areas) are classified as highly urban accessible and do not qualify for RRAS purposes.
Examples of qualifying areas (not exhaustive): most of Northland outside Whangārei urban zone; King Country; Wairoa district; East Cape and Gisborne rural areas; Taihape; Central Hawke's Bay; most of Southland and West Coast outside Invercargill and Greymouth urban zones; many areas in Manawatū-Whanganui outside Palmerston North urban zone. The classification operates at a fine geographic level — your specific school address determines classification, not just your general region.
If you are unsure whether your school is in a qualifying area, you can check using the Statistics NZ Urban Accessibility tool at stats.govt.nz, or contact Auckland FMHS admissions for confirmation.
Evidence required — the principal letter
Auckland FMHS requires official documentary evidence of your rural school attendance. The required evidence is:
- Must confirm your full school attendance record (years attended and dates)
- Must be sent directly from the school principal to FMHSadmission@auckland.ac.nz
- Must be received by the FMHS application deadline
- Self-reported or informally written letters are not accepted
If you attended multiple schools (some rural, some urban), you may need letters from multiple principals confirming the rural school attendance that satisfies the 5-year primary or 3-year secondary criterion.
How the separate RRAS ranking pool works
RRAS applicants who are eligible and who meet the general academic and UCAT-ANZ thresholds are ranked separately from general applicants. This means:
- You are competing against other RRAS-eligible applicants — not the full pool of 317-place applicants
- The selection criteria are identical to the general category (GPA 60% + UCAT-ANZ 15% + MMI 25%) — no academic concession applies
- You still complete the Kira Talent MMI and UCAT-ANZ under the same conditions as general applicants
- RRAS places sit within the overall 317 domestic cohort; the number of RRAS-designated places is not separately published
The practical effect of the separate ranking pool is that a strong rural applicant with a GPA and MMI that might place them on the border of the general pool may rank more comfortably within the RRAS pool — but this depends on the quality of the RRAS applicant cohort in each cycle.
The Rural Stream in Phase 1 of Auckland MBChB
After gaining admission to Auckland MBChB via RRAS, students gain access to the Rural Stream in Phase 1 of the programme. The Rural Stream:
- Provides early rural clinical exposure and community placements alongside standard MBChB training
- Includes mentorship from rural clinicians and community engagement with rural health providers
- Prepares students for rural practice as a career pathway from early in the programme
- Does not change the overall 6-year MBChB qualification or degree outcome
As of 2026 publicly available documentation, no formal bonded rural service obligation is attached to RRAS admission. Accepting an RRAS place does not commit you to rural practice after graduation.
RRAS compared to MAPAS and Otago Rural Origins
| Scheme | University | Basis of eligibility | Interview? |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRAS | Auckland | Rural/regional school attendance per Statistics NZ 2020 UA classification | General Kira Talent MMI (same as all Auckland applicants) |
| MAPAS | Auckland | Māori whakapapa or Pacific community connection | General Kira Talent MMI + 5-station MAPAS Specialty Interview |
| Rural Origins | Otago | 4+ years rural education or residence (per GCH classification) | No interview for HSFY/Graduate categories |
Dual RRAS + MAPAS eligibility: Some applicants are both Māori or Pacific and from a rural background. In that case, you can apply for both RRAS and MAPAS at Auckland in the same cycle. Each scheme has a separate ranking pool and separate application process. You complete both the general Kira Talent MMI (required for all Auckland applicants) and the MAPAS Specialty Interview (required for MAPAS applicants).
Common RRAS pitfalls
- Leaving the principal letter to the last minute. The principal letter must be sent directly from the school to FMHS admissions. Schools have administrative processes, and principals may be unavailable during exam periods or school holidays. Request the letter at least 6–8 weeks before the application deadline.
- Assuming 'rural' just means 'not Auckland'. Rurality is defined by the Statistics NZ 2020 Urban Accessibility framework. A school in Palmerston North central urban area does not qualify; a school in a rural Manawatū township may qualify. Check your specific school address against the classification — don't assume.
- Not applying to RRAS because of uncertainty about quota. The RRAS quota is not published. If you are eligible, applying costs nothing and gives you access to a separate, less competitive ranking pool. Do not self-deselect because you don't know how many RRAS places exist.
- Confusing RRAS with a bonded scheme. RRAS does not require you to work rurally after graduation. It is not a bonded scheme. Accepting an RRAS offer does not impose a rural service commitment. The Rural Stream in Phase 1 is an educational opportunity, not an obligation.
Prepare for your Auckland MBChB application
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Frequently asked questions
Related NZ guides
- MAPAS guide
Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme — eligibility, MH04 form and Specialty Interview.
- Get into Medical School NZ
Complete front-door guide including all equity pathway callouts.
- Otago HSFY guide
Rural Origins equity group at Otago — 89–98 competitive range for rural sub-pool.
- NZ vs Australia medicine
Compare rural schemes in NZ and Australia — RRAS vs AU bonded medical places.