It was a pleasure to host the inaugural Hand and Wrist Instructional Course for Trainees in Auckland on 2-3 May 2025.  There were 31 Set 2-4 trainees and 21 instructors, 3 of which were outstanding plastics colleagues, along with national hand and wrist colleagues. The trainees learnt almost everything there is to know about hand and wrist trauma through a range of workshops, case based discussions, lectures and panel discussions.  This was followed by a wonderful social dinner at Ebisu sponsored by Southern Cross Healthcare. 

Initially the vision of Karen Smith, but with the support of Dawson Muir and the NZOA, with special mention to Emma Lacey, the course was born.  The purpose is to offer consistency in Hand and Wrist education for our Trainees whether at a major centre or in the rural peripheries.   

Our amazing Lead Faculty (Heath Lash, Sandeep Patel, Tom Sharpe, Simon Maclean, Chris Lowden and organisational Queen, Prue Elwood), spent much time ensuring this course will match the NZOA standards and ensure our trainees are provided with the best of training.  Aimed at SET 2-4 Trainees to cover the entirety of the Hand and Wrist syllabus, the course is run over a 2-year period consisting of 2 x 1.5 days alternating trauma and elective, sited in a major centre in the North Island one year and the South Island the next.  Auckland was the inaugural meeting with Christchurch scheduled for 13-14 February 2026. 

We would like to sincerely thank our workshop sponsors for their invaluable assistance both financial and practical (saw bone/arthroscopy models); Arthrex, Life Healthcare, De Puy and Medartis 

We look forward to seeing you all again in 2026.

Karen Smith and Emma Lacey