Master the Auckland
Multiple Mini Interview
The University of Auckland MBChB uses a fully asynchronous 8-station MMI delivered through Kira Talent — no live interviewer, a 30-second reading window per station, and NZ-specific themes including Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Māori health equity and the New Zealand health system.
8
Stations (7 assessed)
~25%
Of ranking score
30s
Reading window
3 min
To record
The format
What is the Auckland MBChB MMI?
New Zealand’s only medical-school MMI — and it’s unlike any live UK format you may have encountered.
The University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FMHS) uses a Multiple Mini Interview delivered asynchronously through the Kira Talent platform. Unlike the live MMI used by many UK schools, there is no interviewer in the room: you record your responses to video prompts on your own device.
The MMI comprises 8 stations — 7 assessed and 1 administrative/orientation station — and is worth roughly 25% of your ranking score. Each station begins with a 30-second reading window, then about 3 minutes to record. Stations assess communication, ethics, problem-solving, teamwork, self-awareness and social responsibility.
UCAT-ANZ context
UCAT-ANZ is weighted at approximately 15% of the Auckland MBChB selection score for the 2027 entry cohort. From 2028 entry, CASPer replaces UCAT-ANZ at Auckland. Always verify current entry requirements directly with FMHS Auckland.
Asynchronous video format
You record your responses via Kira Talent and the panel reviews them after submission — no live interviewer and no synchronised session.
Why it matters
Why Kira Talent prep is different
Recording without a live interviewer introduces unique pressures that demand specific strategies.
Camera presence
Natural eye contact with the lens, calm body language and a clutter-free background are all assessed even without a live observer.
30-second reading window
Use the short window to identify the core question, decide your opening sentence and structure your key points before recording starts.
No retry
Kira Talent does not allow re-recording after submission. Practise starting confidently from the first second and recovering naturally from a stumble.
Station playbook
Auckland MMI station themes & tips
Prepare for each of the 7 assessed station themes with targeted strategies and frameworks.
Motivation for medicine
Articulate a genuine, reflective and specific motivation to practise medicine in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Expect prompts like “Why do you want to study medicine?” or “What experience has most shaped your decision to apply?” Assessors look for genuine insight gained from work experience or volunteering — particularly in New Zealand clinical or community settings.
Top tip — anchor to a real experience
Avoid generic answers. Anchor your motivation to a specific experience — a clinical observation, a kaiāwhina interaction, or volunteering with a hauora (health) service. Reflect on what you learned, not just what you saw.
Ethical scenarios
Navigate ethical dilemmas using both the four pillars of biomedical ethics and MCNZ professional standards.
Ethical stations may present dilemmas around patient autonomy, confidentiality, resource allocation or professional conduct. In the NZ context, assessors also value awareness of the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) Code of Ethics and the role of cultural safety in clinical decision-making.
Top tip — Four Pillars + cultural safety
Weigh Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence and Justice. For NZ scenarios, also consider how cultural safety — particularly for Māori whānau — interacts with conventional bioethical principles.
Role play / communication
Demonstrate empathy, active listening and clear communication through recorded role-play scenarios.
These stations present a scenario (e.g. a distressed peer or a simulated patient conversation) and ask you to respond as if speaking directly to the person on camera. Because there is no live actor to react to you, you must convey empathic listening through tone and pacing alone.
Top tip — use the SPIKES protocol
- Setting up the conversation
- Assessing the patient’s Perception
- Seeking an Invitation to share
- Delivering Knowledge clearly
- Responding to Emotions empathically
- Summarising the Strategy
Te Tiriti o Waitangi & Māori health equity
Demonstrate understanding of Te Tiriti obligations in New Zealand healthcare and Māori health equity.
This station is unique to NZ medical schools and reflects Auckland FMHS’s commitment to graduating doctors who can fulfil Te Tiriti obligations in practice. Prompts may ask you to discuss a specific article of Te Tiriti, reflect on Māori health disparities, or consider how a doctor can support tino rangatiratanga (Māori self-determination) for their patients.
Key preparation areas
- Read the three articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and their relevance to healthcare (kāwanatanga, tino rangatiratanga, ōritetanga)
- Understand Te Whatu Ora — Health New Zealand’s obligations under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022
- Be able to name and reflect on specific Māori health disparities (e.g. rheumatic fever, cancer screening equity, mental health)
Rural health & workforce
Reflect on rural and regional health challenges and your awareness of NZ workforce needs.
NZ faces significant rural health workforce shortages, and Auckland’s Regional Rural Admission Scheme (RRAS) reflects this national priority. This station may ask why rural healthcare matters, what challenges rural doctors face, or how you feel about practising outside a main urban centre. Otago also has a rural origin pathway for HSFY.
Top tip — show informed commitment
Draw on personal experience of rural communities if relevant, but avoid superficial enthusiasm. Acknowledge the professional trade-offs (scope of practice, isolation, resource constraints) and show informed commitment rather than vague positivity.
The New Zealand healthcare system
Understand the structure of Te Whatu Ora — Health New Zealand and current health-system challenges.
Questions may ask about the role of Te Whatu Ora — Health New Zealand (the national health agency, formerly District Health Boards / DHBs), the two-tier primary/secondary care structure, Pharmac’s role in medicine funding, or current pressures such as workforce shortages and wait-lists.
Key facts to know
- Te Whatu Ora replaced 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) in 2022 under the Pae Ora Act
- Pharmac funds medicines and medical devices within a capped annual budget
- MCNZ registers and regulates medical practitioners
Self-reflection & personal growth
Demonstrate insight, self-awareness and the capacity to learn from experience.
Reflection stations ask you to evaluate a past experience, describe how you handled a challenge, or articulate what you would do differently. Authentic, specific examples with genuine learning are far more compelling than polished but generic answers.
Top tip — STAR + Learning
Use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and then add a fifth step: Learning. Reflective depth — what you noticed about yourself — is what separates strong from average responses.
MAPAS pathway
MAPAS Specialty Interview
A separate 5-station interview for verified MAPAS (Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme) applicants, completed alongside the general 8-station MMI.
Format overview
- 5-station interview delivered in addition to the general 8-station MMI
- Stations assess cultural identity, whakapapa connection, community commitment and commitment to Māori and Pacific health equity
- Applicants must have verified NZ Māori or Pacific ancestry and be NZ citizens or permanent residents
- Prepare genuine, specific reflections on your cultural identity and connection to Māori or Pacific health communities
Reflective preparation
The MAPAS Specialty Interview rewards authenticity and depth of cultural reflection — not rehearsed answers. Practise speaking freely about your whakapapa and community connections.
For MAPAS eligibility and application details, visit the Auckland FMHS MAPAS office directly. Our tutors include MAPAS applicants who can offer peer insight into the process.
1-to-1 prep
Get Auckland MMI-ready
Realistic Kira Talent-style practice is the single biggest driver of success in an asynchronous MMI.
What’s included:
- Simulated asynchronous-style MMI with timed recording practice
- Station-by-station debrief covering all 7 assessed themes
- Dedicated coaching on Te Tiriti, Māori health equity and NZ healthcare-system stations
- MAPAS Specialty Interview coaching available on request
- Questions generated using our Prometheus question bank (NZ school-specific questions available)
NZ-specific preparation
Generic MMI prep is not enough. Our coaches understand Auckland’s Kira Talent asynchronous format, its station themes, and what the FMHS assessors are looking for.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Auckland Kira Talent MMI, the MAPAS Specialty Interview and how Otago differs.
Ready to master your Auckland MMI?
Join New Zealand applicants who prepared with NextGen MedPrep.
Considering a UK application?
View the UK MMI preparation guide →