Fourteen Psychiatry Interest Forum (PIF) members were awarded full scholarships from the PIF New Zealand program to take part in the RANZCP 2024 New Zealand Conference in Wellington last month.

As part of the full scholarships, three Māori PIF members were also supported to attend the pre-conference Wānanga hosted by the members of Te Kaunihera. Additionally, three PIF members presenting abstracts in the scientific program also received support to cover their registration costs.

The PIF program started with a warm welcome from Dr Mark Lawrence and Dr James Simonsson as part of the social night. The PIF program ran alongside the conference scientific program, providing several structured networking activities to enable the PIF scholars to speak with Fellows and trainees and to find out more about psychiatry careers. It included two lunch sessions organised for PIF scholars to interact informally with the College leaders as well as members of Te Kaunihera committee.

A very special thanks to the College President, Dr Elizabeth Moore; CEO, Ms Sharon McGowan; President-Elect and Chair of PIF Advisory Group, Dr Astha Tomar; A/Prof David Menkes, Dr Francis Goodstadt, Dr Hiran Thabrew, Dr James Simonsson, Dr Mark Lawrence, Dr Claire Patterson, Matua Ron Baker, Whaea Moe Milne, members of the Te Kaunihera committee, as well as over 20 Fellows and trainees for taking part in the PIF program.