The National Party has unveiled a policy aimed at dealing with shortages of health professionals.
A National government would introduce a voluntary bonding scheme, that would offer student loan write-offs to graduate doctors, nurses and midwives who are prepared to work in hard-to-staff areas.
Party leader John Key says National expects to offer eligible candidates up to $10,000 a year off their loans.
The amounts would be payable at the end of three years, with the option of staying in the scheme another two years.
National expects between 50 and 100 doctors to qualify for the scheme, and about 200 nurses and midwives.
The Medical Students Association president Anna Dare says the scheme will at least help retain some graduates.
She says there are doctor shortages not just in rural areas but in major cities, so the policy would have to be applied across the country.
Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Ian Powell says the scheme would not be enough to prevent people heading overseas in droves.
He says graduates will continue seeking work in Australia, because the pay difference is much greater than the write-off National is offering.
Nurses Organisation president Marion Guy says nurses' average debt is $25,000 and any help they can receive to help them repay student loans would be attractive.
National's health spokesperson Tony Ryall says the policy has had a positive response from younger health professionals.
The Labour Party says it already provides incentives for doctors to stay in the country.
