To determine whether the current skills list for postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) training in New Zealand is appropriate and an accurate reflection of the experience gained in this year. PGY1 doctors at Auckland District Health Board were surveyed about their experience with 86 skills at the beginning and at the end of their first postgraduate year; 28 of these skills were from the Medical Council of New Zealand's (MCNZ) 'Indicative List of Skills' for PGY1. The response rate was 79% for the first survey and 66% for the follow-up. By the end of the PGY1 year, all doctors had performed 21% of the skills listed by the MCNZ, compared to 4% at the beginning of the year. Thirty-nine percent of the skills defined as important to achieve during PGY1 by the MCNZ had been performed by less than half our sample at the end of their PGY1 training. There is a significant discrepancy between the skills expected of graduates at the end of PGY1 (as indicated by the MCNZ) and those attained.