Wellington doctor, and former Aotearoa New Zealand Vice President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), Dr John Tait ONZM was inaugurated as President of the Asia & Oceania Federation of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (AOFOG) this weekend, during the Federation’s Congress in Busan, South Korea.
, an organisation that focuses on improving women’s health and advancing the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology in Asia and Oceania, is a federation of over 25 member countries. With strong ties to both Australia and New Zealand, thewill be held in Sydney, Australia in 2026.
A RANZCOG Fellow since 1985, Dr Tait is an obstetrician and gynaecologist who has worked in Wellington for over 35 years, most recently at Capital Coast Health Hospital. He has been a tireless contributor to the work of the College and women’s health in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Dr Tait worked at Wellington Hospital from 1986, eventually taking on roles as Clinical Director, Women’s Health Service at Capital Coast District Health Board (CCDHB) in 2003 and Executive Clinical Director, Women’s Children and Surgical Directorate in 2010. In 2016, he was appointed as the CCDHB Chief Medical Officer.
Dr Tait has held numerous positions within the RANZCOG governance and committee structure, notably on Te Kāhui Oranga ō Nuku (RANZCOG New Zealand Committee), RANZCOG Council and Board, including serving as RANZCOG Vice-President for seven years. He was influential in steering the direction of the bi-national College, with his commitment to equity reflected in his vision for RANZCOG to improve equity of access to services, particularly for Māori and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, but also in rural and provincial areas of both Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.
Dr Tait became the Aotearoa New Zealand representative on The Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOFOG) in 2012, and Vice President in 2019. Dr Tait worked assiduously in developing projects that will improve the maternal health status in low-income countries in the Pacific.
Dr Tait has made a significant contribution to women’s health, through his clinical practice, his contribution to the profession of O&G, and his participation and provision of expertise on a wide range of advisory groups. In 2022, Dr Tait was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours (Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for services to obstetrics and gynaecology.
Dr Tait will preside over AOFOG until his term concludes in 2026. RANZCOG congratulates Dr Tait on this momentous achievement.
