Your voice at a
national level
History of NZMSA
The New Zealand Medical Students’ Association (NZMSA) is a student-led association established in 1972. We have a proud history of representing medical students, with many highlights along the way. Our vision is to represent, unite, and empower medical students in Aotearoa on the views, issues and concerns relevant to them. The overall goal of our work is to improve the health of New Zealanders.
NZMSA Meet Our Team
Executive Directors
The NZMSA President and Vice Presidents of Advocacy, Engagement, and Workforce lead and oversee all projects run by the organisation, as well as act as the primary spokespersons for our initiatives. If there is a student issue of national concern, these individuals are the best persons to reach out to!
Thomas Hartono
President
Tēnā tātou! Ko Thomas toku ingoa (he/him) and I am honoured to be your NZMSA president for 2025. I am currently a TI based in Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay, although I have spent a majority of my clinical time in the big capital Te Whanganui-a-Tara. I look forward to continuing the incredible mahi of NZMSA, and to guide our work towards issues that are important to you and all medical students across the motu. Please don’t be a stranger and feel free to reach out. I am always more than keen for a chat!
Divyashri Thakkar
VP Advocacy
Kia ora koutou! Ko Divyashri toku ingoa (she/her) and I am excited to be continuing my role as Vice President Advocacy in 2025. I am currently an ALM5 based in the windy capital, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. With the shifting political climate and leadership, I am committed to driving NZMSA’s advocacy mahi forward, prioritising equity, student wellbeing, and meaningful change for our medical whānau. I look forward to working alongside tauira across Aotearoa to ensure our voices are heard and our needs are met.
Sujean In
VP Engagement
Kia ora! I’m Sujean, a 4th year at Waitematā. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, I migrated to Ōtautahi, later moving to Tāmaki Makaurau to study, completing a Bachelor of Health Sciences prior to medicine. I’m also passionate about public health research! As VPE, I’m inspired by jeong—a Korean value of compassion that fosters strong communities, similar to kotahitanga. My mission is to foster connection and fellowship among medical students across Aotearoa, delivering national-scale events with a focus on equitable access, diversity, and local engagement. Let’s make 2025 a year of meaningful connections, inclusion, and growth for us all!
Ashley Pereira
VP Workforce
Kia ora koutou! Ko Ashley tōku ingoa (he/him). I’m thrilled to be stepping into the role of VP Workforce this year. Based at Middlemore and calling Tāmaki Makaurau home, I’m here to support TIs across the motu as they navigate the journey from med school to the workforce. In this role, I’ll be advocating for your needs, addressing any challenges you face, and working alongside the Workforce Working Group to create valuable events and resources. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Executive Officers
The Secretary, Treasurer, Partnerships Officer and Communications Officer are key players in the day-to-day operations of NZMSA in terms of managing the organisation's internal administration, finances and external communications with stakeholders, collaborators and the national student body.
Aanirudh Kheterpal
Secretary
Kia Ora everyone. I am a TI based in Auckland City Hospital and I am incredibly excited to take on the roles of Secretary and AUMSA VPE this year and the challenges they will bring. I am passionate about medicine and NZMSA is an exciting way to contribute to the field. Outside of it, I love to explore the mountains and the NZ bush on my free weekends. I am hoping to make my communication from NZMSA accessible and timely for 2025.
Cynthia Zhang
Treasurer
Kia ora! I'm Cynthia, a 4th year based at Auckland City Hospital, and I'm thrilled to be your NZMSA Treasurer for 2025. I'm super excited to contribute to NZMSA’s mahi of advocating for and supporting medical students across Aotearoa. In this role, my goal is to optimize our financial resources to strengthen current and future initiatives. Outside of medicine, I love exploring new places or reading a good book. Looking forward to an incredible year together!
Ali Dohan
Partnerships Officer
Kia ora everyone! I’m Ali, a 4th year based in Dunedin for clinical years. I happen to also be born and raised in Dunedin so I can’t seem to get away. My motive for entering into NZMSA is to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of medical students and be a part of a team that shares similar goals. My role involves finding new – and building on existing – connections for NZMSA, and developing mutually beneficial agreements that will provide greater resources for NZMSA. Outside of medicine, you can find me going for a run, working out at the gym, or spending quality time with friends.
Ann Anson
Communications Officer
Kia ora all, I’m Ann! I’m in my fifth year at North Shore Hospital, and am excited to be part of NZMSA for a second year, this time as Communications Officer! It’s been awesome being able to give back to the medical community through NZMSA, and I hope this year to ensure our organization remains accessible and connected to all medical students across Aotearoa. When I’m not studying or working, in my spare time I love to crochet, sew, as well as create calligraphy art!
Executive Representatives
Our Representatives are elected via their respective student organisations, liaising between them and NZMSA. Scattered across Aotearoa's campuses and clinical sites, they are friendly faces who advocate on your behalf and contribute to our Advocacy, Engagement and Workforce Working Groups.
Sara Aruquipa
Te Oranga
Kia ora med whānau x
Ko Sara Aruquipa Southerwood tōku ingoa, e noho ana au ki te Ōtakou ki Whakaihu Waka ki Pōneke.
I am excited and honoured to be one of the Te Oranga NZMSA Reps for 2025. Within this role I want to make sure all our medical tauira feel supported and cared for in Medicine. Outside of medicine I like to collect plants (and try to make sure they are well watered), going for swims and staying active.
Arihia Waitai-Morehu
Te Oranga
Kia ora e te whanau! Ko Arihia Waitai-Morehu tōku ingoa, e noho ana au ki Tamaki Makaurau mo te whare wānanga, engari, no paeroa ahau…ko te taone o LnP. Within this rōpu I sit with the position of a Te Oranga NZMSA Rep and am honoured with the responsibility to be a voice for both all medical tauira within Aotearoa. I am excited to be part of a rōpu that strives for the betterment of our medical tauira, that advocate on their behalf, that create and run amazing events and kaupapa to engage our tauira around the motu, and who constantly want the best for all of us. Mahia ki te mahi. Mauri ora!
Māia Lockyer
Te Oranga
Kia ora rā! Ko Māia Lockyer tōku ingoa. He uri ahau no Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Ngāti Porou, me Rongomaiwahine hoki. E noho ana au ki Ōtepoti. I sit on the NZMSA executive as an advocacy representative linking NZMSA and Te Oranga, the national Māori medical students executive. In this role I am privileged to extend and gather whakaaro and create strategies surrounding how best we can represent and advocate for the needs of tauira Māori as well as for the communities we will one day serve. Mauri ora!
Kameron Li
Auckland (Pre-Clinical)
Kia ora! I’m Kameron, and I am currently a 3rd year based in Auckland. I’m really excited to be part of the advocacy working group as this is a new experience and I look forward to making the most of my time as NZMSA Pre-Clinical Rep. I hope to make a meaningful difference to ensure that med school is a little smoother for everyone. Outside of studying (or procrastinating it) I enjoy staying active, trying to cook new food and travelling.
Maitreyi Jain
Auckland (Clinical)
Kia Ora everyone I’m Maitreyi, a TI at North Shore hospital in Auckland. I’m the NZMSA Clinical Rep and in the Workforce working group. In my spare time (ha ha) youll catch me at the gym, reading books or watching movies, or painting. I’m so excited about the NZMSA mahi which directly effects the hauora of our future and current colleagues. I love working with other tauira and so excited to be part of the kaupapa.
Geraldine Atchico
Auckland (Clinical)
Kia ora e hoa! Ko Geraldine tōku ingoa - I have the pleasure of being a TI at Rotorua Hospital this year. I am incredibly honoured to be the Clinical Representative for Waipapa Taumata Rau, also working as part of the NZMSA Engagement working group. I am incredibly passionate about fostering connections across both medical schools in Aotearoa, as well as nurturing interconnection across all year levels, ensuring that all tauira feel supported, heard and valued. In my spare time, I love to travel - always on the hunt for a good coffee spot!
Matthew Brooks
Dunedin (ELM)
Kia ora, I’m Matthew, a third year based in Dunedin. I’m excited to represent Otago ELM students through my role as the OUMSA rep in 2025. My goal this year is to increase engagement between both medical schools, especially focusing on engagement between preclinical students and NZMSA. In my spare time I love to play badminton and sing in choirs around Dunedin. Please say hi if you see me around Dunedin or have any questions, and all the best with this year!
Evie Clatworthy
Dunedin (ALM)
Kia Ora! I’m Evie, a TI who has stuck around in Ōtepoti. I’ll be acting as the NZMSA rep on DMSAA for 2025. This allows me to do mahi on both groups and liaise between the two - being a voice for the Dunedin ALM students in NZMSA, and feeding back NZMSAs mahi to DMSAA.
In my spare time I’m usually at the beach or at some cafe having a coffee and a sweet treat. Please say hi if you see me around!! Keep up the good mahi e te iwi.
Katherine Coombes
Wellington
Kia ora! I’m Katherine, a TI based between Pōneke and the Hawke’s Bay Region for 2025. I’m excited to be representing NZMSA as the WHPSA rep this year. My goal is to strengthen the connection between our regional sites and NZMSA, ensuring that medical students across Aotearoa are informed on NZMSA's mahi. In my spare time you will likely find me out on the trails, running or hiking. If you see me around Wellington or have any questions, I’m always up for a chat!
Sara Jane Russell
Christchurch
Kia ora! My name is Sara Jane, and I’m a TI based in the beautiful city of Christchurch, with my home being in South Africa. I’m thrilled to be representing NZMSA as the CMSA rep this year, with the goal of fostering seamless communication between the two organizations. Another focus is ensuring students are well-equipped for life after their studies, helping them transition smoothly into the workforce. I love doing exercise (whether that be in the pool, driving range or at the gym), drinking coffee and spending time with my friends and family.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee gathers leaders from student organisations across Aotearoa, including Te Oranga, AUMSA, OUMSA ELM, DSMAA, WHPSA and CMSA. Chaired by NZMSA's Directors, this Committee sets the direction for our advocacy work, directing our organisation's vision, goals and culture.
Te Rato Leach
Te Oranga Tumuaki
Ko Te Rato Kewa Leach tōku ingoa, he uri ahau nō Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Ngāti Porou hoki. He tauira rata ahau i te tau tuaono ki te Tūranganui a Kiwa, ko ahau te tumuaki o Te Oranga i tēnei tau. My name is Te Rato and I whakapapa to Tairāwhiti, where I am also a final year medical student based out of Gisborne hospital. While Tairāwhiti will always be my whānau's home, I grew up in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton, and have spent my 5 years at university in Dunedin and Pōneke. This year I serve as Tumuaki for Te Oranga, established in 1998 to support tauira tākuta Māori around the motu, through our guiding objectives of whakatairanga (uplift and advocate), whakapiri (enhance connection), and whakatipu (encourage growth).
Elai Tuivaiti
Te Oranga Tumuaki Tuarua
Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Elai taku ingoa, he uri tēnei nō Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whakaue, Taranaki me Ngāti Hāmoa.
Ko Tumuaki Tuarua o Te Oranga i tēnei tau 2025.
Hi all, I am Elai – the VP of Te Oranga for 2025. I am in 5th year MBChB on a gap year undertaking a BMedSci (Hons). I aspire to be a doctor so that I may contribute to the mission of achieving equity in health for all.
Brooke Williams
Te Oranga Kaituhi
Kia ora koutou. Ko Brooke Kaipiri Williams tōku ingoa. He uri ahau nō Ngai Tai ki Tōrere me Tūhoe. I sit on Te Oranga as the kaituhi (secretary). I’m a TI based in Tairāwhiti this year. Through my role with NZMSA I wish to advocate for for tauira Māori and to tautoko our future doctors towards achieving equitable health outcomes.
In my free time I enjoy playing football, and splashing in the waves at Makorori.
Noah Appleby
Te Oranga Mangai
Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Noah Appleby tōku ingoa. I whakapapa back to Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki on the East Coast. This year I am the NZMSA Māngai on Te Oranga and NZMSA. I liaise between the two executives to ensure regular and effective communication and maintain the strong relationship formed between both of our executives. I am currently in a gap year between 4th and 5th, completing my BMedSci (Hons), which focuses on bariatric surgery in Aotearoa.
Daniel Lavin
AUMSA President
Kia ora koutou, I`m Dan a TI based in Tāmaki Makaurau, originally from Whanganui, President of AUMSA and here to represent our medical students at Waipapa Taumata Rau. You best believe I am excited to work alongside NZMSA to support them in all their amazing mahi. Importantly, to ensure the students on our side of the island have a loud voice.
Aanirudh Kheterpal
AUMSA VP Education
Kia Ora everyone. I am a TI based in Auckland City Hospital and I am incredibly excited to take on the roles of Secretary and AUMSA VPE this year and the challenges they will bring. I am passionate about medicine and NZMSA is an exciting way to contribute to the field. Outside of it, I love to explore the mountains and the NZ bush on my free weekends. I am hoping to make my communication from NZMSA accessible and timely for 2025.
Neave Burgess
AUMSA VP Equity
Kia ora! My name is Neave, and I am a fourth-year student based in Waikato. This year, AUMSA has introduced the new role of Vice President Equity to help foster a more inclusive and equitable campus environment. It’s my first year working with NZMSA, and I’m excited to create meaningful initiatives that support our student community.
Marcus Campbell
OUMSA ELM President
Ngā mihi e te whānau, ko Marcus Campbell tōkū ingoa. Ko au te tumuaki o te OUMSA 2025! I am honoured to serve on the NZMSA Steering Committee. As a third-year medical student in Ōtepoti, I am committed to fostering cultural safety, equity, and pre-clinical engagement. These values are crucial to ensuring that all students have an equal opportunity to succeed in their medical journey. I am passionate about advocating for the welfare of our peers and creating a supportive, inclusive environment. Together, let’s work towards enhancing the med student experience for all in Aotearoa.
Divyani Galamath
WHPSA President
Kia ora, my name is Divyani and I have the privilege of being the President of WHPSA. I am currently a TI based in our lovely capital, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, with its many lovely cafes to enjoy when it gets too windy. My role gives me a seat with the amazing NZMSA team, and a chance to represent the welly whānau on this big stage. I am looking forward to changing the accessibility of NZMSA to the regional campuses’ of Otago, involving all of our tauira in the amazing mahi happening this year, and opening up this national-level platform to everyone! I am always up for a chat, so feel free to say hi if you have any questions, worries or to just have a yarn.
Max Walker
CMSA President
Kia ora, I’m fortunate enough to be the President of CMSA for 2025 and as a result part of NZMSA’s steering committee! This year along with our wonderful team I will continue to advocate for our tauira in Ōtautahi and throughout Aotearoa. Continuing to fight for equity in our healthcare system whilst empowering our future tauira to step up and continue this mahi. If you have any questions please email cmsa.uoc@gmail.com, always keen for a chat!
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