A medical recruiter says expanding the role of GPs could be one key to keeping them in the profession.

Forty percent of family doctors are due to retire in the next 10 years.

Medrecruit managing director Sam Hazledine said a couple of his friends were GPs but left because they were bored.

He told Mike Hosking the profession needs to evolve beyond treating coughs, colds and chronic illness.

"And I believe that it's a good opportunity for general practice to move into that wellness space -- focused on how you can help people be more healthy than just treating disease."

Mr Hazledine said bringing GPs in from other countries, like the UK, would be a quick-fix to the shortage.

"A lot of appetite for GPs who want to come over to New Zealand so there is definitely a captive market there."

MEDRECRUIT MANAGING DIRECTOR SAM HAZLEDINE SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING ABOVE