New Zealand Medical Association, Auckland Division records.

New Zealand’s earliest formal medical practitioners came primarily from the United Kingdom during the mid-1800s, while a small number also came from Europe and America. Their qualifications ranged from nothing at all to degrees. From the mid-1800s onwards, medical practitioners in various parts of New Zealand gathered with like-minded others to hold meetings and form societies and associations in Taranaki, Canterbury, Otago, Wellington and Auckland. In 1886, the first entity to be termed theNew Zealand Medical Association was formed, with Dr Thomas Hocken as the Association’s first president. In 1896 the original NZMA disbanded in favour of joining the British Medical Association as a branch of the parent body in England, while remaining separately registered in New Zealand. This was ratified at the inaugural meeting held in Christchurch in 1896. From then until 1966-1967, the NZMA was known as the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association. From early in its formation, it was felt that the Association should have a Wellington base so, in 1927, it purchased a house at No. 26 The Terrace, formerly a church manse, now demolished, rebuilt and named NZMA House. This became the National office.

In 1968 the NZMA received letters patent from London granting Arms to the Association carried with much symbolism and upon which were depicted, in the colours red, white and blue, a lion, blood-letting fleam, staff and serpent, the Southern Cross, an academic cap and, fern leaves arranged in a wreath. The Association’s accompanying motto is Scientia et Concordia : Knowledge and Accord. The arms are seen in colour on some letterheads in NZMA correspondence. Over time there were moves towards complete autonomy from the BMA and this came about in 1967. The Association’s original name was unable to be reinstated at this time as it was being employed by Dr Erich Geiringer for a separate medical initiative, so the Association became the Medical Association of New Zealand (MANZ). However, in 1976, the NZMA was in a position to revert to its original name which is now registered under the Companies Act along with that of the Medical Association of New Zealand, as a safeguard for the future.

Rules taken up in 1892 made provision for the possibility that women might be recognised as doctors and accepted as members. The first to do so was Eliza McDonogh Frikart, making New Zealand ahead of Great Britain in the recognition of female doctors. The first Maori NZMA members were Maui Pomare, in 1901, and Peter Henry Buck, also known as Te Rangi Hiroa, who became a member in 1908.

In the late 1890s a Council was established for the Association which consisted of select delegates from each branch. Others were permitted to attend, as long as they neither spoke nor voted. In this collection it is clear that committees, sub-committees, standing committees and similar entities were the backbone of much of the Association’s activity. References to and examples of these are evident particularly in Series 1, 2, and 5. Examples are the Executive Committee of Council, Central Ethical Committee, Medical Examinations Fees Committee, Central Education Committee, Central Specialists Committee, Central General Practitioners Committee. Another was the Representative Body, which met on the first Wednesday of most months of each year and was the governing body of the NZMA Auckland Division. It was made up of a representative from each discipline and 12 general practitioners. A long-term associate of the University of Auckland, Dame Dorothy Winstone, appears as a member of the Divisional Disciplinary Committee for much of the 1980s. In 1981 she assisted in an inquiry and in 1985 was Acting Chairperson for the committee.

The NZMA has had a long history of publication, which is evident in Series 10 and parts of Series 9. Absent from this collection, however, are any issues of the New Zealand Medical Journal which, although not the earliest medical publication in New Zealand, has been the most significant. First published in 1887, with Dr Daniel Colquhoun as founding editor, the Journal originally published excerpts from Australian and British publications. Many of these were in the form of clinical case reports, the circulation of which enabled doctors to share and receive information and knowledge. It also engendered fellow feeling amongst colleagues and helped allay a sense of isolation that may have been felt by individual doctors.

Unfortunately, in 1947, fire damaged the property in Wellington where the Journal was printed, destroying type and other plant. However, with determination, the particular edition did see the light of day. Over time there have been numerous changes and difficulties in the production and politics of the Journal, including a 4-year hiatus in 1900.

Two problems arose for the Association in the 1890s which prompted the establishment of special funds. One was to support doctors and their families who found themselves in financial hardship due to circumstances beyond their control, and the other was a Medical Defence fund designed to provide financial aid for doctors needing to defend charges of negligence.

The aftermath of the Second World War was another occasion when the Auckland Branch accumulated funds for a specific purpose. This time it to fund suitable memorials for the Branch’s fallen in the First and Second World Wars. After some deliberation, the decision was made to place a memorial plaque in the Wellington offices of the Association and to endow a memorial oration when conferences are held. The first oration took place in Wellington in 1950. Mention is made of these orations in the collection.

In 1953, a bold suggestion was made by Dr Norman Greenslade to invite the BMA to come to New Zealand and hold its annual meeting here. This was accepted, but with the amendment that it take place in 1961, and that the meeting held would be a combined one between the two associations. It fell to New Zealand to nominate the BMA President. A ballot of members saw Douglas Robb (1899-1974) installed as President. Robb was a thoracic surgeon who held a number of high-profile roles related to medicine and the University of Auckland, including being a central figure in the development of a medical school in Auckland. Robb was awarded a knighthood in 1960.

Currently, the NZMA's stated purpose is to provide leadership of the medical profession, and promote: professional unity and values, and the health of all New Zealanders, while its key roles are described as providing: advocacy on behalf of doctors and their patients; support and services to members and their practices; publishing and maintaining the Code of Ethics for the profession; and publishing the New Zealand Medical Journal.

References

New Zealand Medical Association. (2014). About NZMA. Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/about-nzma.

Robb, George Douglas, Sir, 1899- (1940). Medicine and health in New Zealand : a retrospect and a prospect . Auckland: Whitcombe & Tombs.

Robb, Sir George Douglas, C.M.G.(1966). In Te Ara : the Encyclopedia of New Zealand/emph>, retrieved from http://www.TeARA.govt.nz/en/1966/robb-sir-george-douglas-cmg.

Wright-St Clair (Rex Earl), 1922- (1987). A history of the New Zealand Medical Association : the first 100 years. Wellington, N.Z. : Butterworths.