At the time of the opening of the hospital in Newtown, the medical staff comprised the resident Surgeon Superintendent, Dr G G Gillon, who was the only salaried medical officer,  plus two honorary surgeons, the Hon. Dr M S Grace and Dr H W Diver,
 and two honorary physicians,  Dr W E Collins  and Dr W G Kemp

Dr J Keyworth replaced Dr Collins as honorary physician in 1882.   The honorary medical staff was augmented with the appointment in 1886 of an ophthalmic surgeon.  However, there was some controversy over this appointment.   Dr Kemp, who had been an honorary physician when the hospital opened in Newtown, had taken leave because of poor health in 1882, and was replaced by Dr J Henry.  In 1883, Dr Francis Hutchinson was appointed honorary physician.  In 1884 Dr Kemp travelled to England, his health improved and he obtained a clinical assistant post at the London Eye Hospital at Moorefields.  He returned to Wellington in April 1885.  As a member of the Hospital Board of Trustees, he recommended the establishment of the ophthalmic surgeon post, and was himself appointed to that position.  The BMA condemned the appointment (as an 'inside job') and Dr Kemp resigned just two months after being appointed.

The Board of Trustees Chairman attempted to justify the appointment by stating that Dr Kemp had been the only applicant, but this was hotly challenged by Dr T Cahill who asserted that he had also applied.
Dr Kemp was re-appointed to the ophthalmic surgeon post soon after the controversy, but from then on, the procedures around staff appointments were more formalised.  Honorary medical staff appointments were for two years only, and were formally advertised.