The background philosophy, structure and training experience offered by a new free-standing clinic set up purely to facilitate orthopaedic post-graduate training is described. Emphasis is placed on the ethical issues involved. The educational programme, which includes involvement in all local and national activities, is summarized. The registrars' operative experience is recorded using log-sheet criteria. This venture has predated the major restructuring of the health care system in Auckland, which is anticipated in the next few years, and will therefore allow the training programme to evolve appropriately, employing the educational opportunities of all sectors of health care.