Find out more about education providers and funding.
Health Workforce Directorate (HWD) funding for postgraduate nursing study is available to support workforce development based on population needs.
Localities are provided with funding from HWD to support nurses undertaking postgraduate education which prepares them to meet the challenges of a changing healthcare environment and provide enhancement of individual nursing practice.
Information regarding eligibility, funding, and the application process for each region can be found on the Te Whatu Ora Postgraduate study funding applications page. Note each region has a different application due date. Please talk to your manager before applying.
Te Whatu Ora Waikato - Applications close Friday 12 September 2025 for nurses who wish to apply for HWD funding to do postgraduate study in Semester 1 and 2, 2026. Please apply via the option for 'non-Health New Zealand or Ministry of Health funded nurses', NOT via the Ko Awatea LEARN link.
Te Whatu Ora Lakes - Applications for 2026 will open on 15 September 2025 and close 7 November 2025. Lakes DHB nurses need to be registered with Ko Awatea LEARN to access the application form - find info about how to register here on our website. All applications must also have a career plan uploaded on the template provided.
Te Whatu Ora Taranaki - Applications are open (scroll down to Taranaki to find the application form and funding handbook) and close 30 September 2025 for nurses who wish to apply for HWD funding to do postgraduate study in 2026.
Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti - Applications for 2026 Postgraduate Registered Nurse funding is open from Monday 17 November 2025, closing Sunday 14 December 2025. See the Te Whatu Ora website for more information and to apply.
This diploma pathway is offered by a number of providers. Please see the links further down this page for more information.
Postgraduate nursing papers and courses are available at a number of tertiary organisations. Nurses who are considering study can find out what is available using the links to providers at the base of this page.
For more information
For more information please contact the Pinnacle nursing leads.
The national Mātanga Tapuhi Nurse Practitioner Training Support Scheme (NPTSS) applications have closed for 2025 and will reopen later in 2026.
From 2025, a collaborative model of six Primary Health Organisations is delivering a nationally co-ordinated and regionally responsive Nurse Practitioner Training Support Scheme.
The Ministry of Health currently funds the NPTSS as a national programme. In 2025 there were 180 funded places allocated between primary care and other settings, as follows.
Places are limited and change year to year.
The training programme provides increased coordination between potential NPs, their employers, tertiary education providers, and the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ). All NP trainees will apply for registration as an NP with the NCNZ by the end of the NPTSS practicum year.
There are priority areas for developing the NP workforce. These include primary health care, community and residential care settings, mental health and addiction, Māori health, Pacific health, populations with high health needs, rural and hard to reach areas communities and areas with high deprivation.
An overarching goal of the NPTSS is to increase the number of Māori NPs, and the number of Pacific NPs. Ultimately, the aim is to improve equity through access to NP led services.
The NPTSS offers a one-year practicum programme which is taken as the final step in a Master's degree. People who have already completed their Master's programme, including the pre-requisite courses to meet the Nursing Council of New Zealand requirements for registration as a nurse practitioner may also apply.
There is funding to support this programme. Read more information, including eligibility criteria and application form for prospective NP students on the NPTSS website.
If you’re unsure whether you meet the criteria – or if you identify as Māori, Pacific, or belong to another priority group for improving equity in our communities, please email info@npsupport.co.nz.
You'll find more information on the Nursing Council of New Zealand website. You'll also find resources on the preparation and training to become a Mātanga tapuhi/Nurse Practitioner (NP), on the NPNZ website.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are required to have completed a master’s degree in nursing through a Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) approved pathway at an approved tertiary education provider.
There are two funding streams for nurse practitioner training:
All master’s programmes that meet the requirements for registration as a NP have to meet the standards required by the NCNZ.
Nurse leads
nursing@pinnacle.health.nz
During the COVID-19 lockdown virtual consultations for POAC cases were funded. We are pleased to announce that this will be a permanent change.
Read moreFunding is now available for primary care, community, and rural health providers who are committed to supporting graduate registered nurses (RN) as they transition into practice. To be eligible for placement funding, employers must employ a graduate RN, provide preceptorship and clinical support, and hire the graduate RN for a minimum of 0.6 FTE for a period of 12 months or more.
Read moreThe extended care team is available to compliment the care you provide to your patients.
Business rules for the Primary Options Acute Care programme (Lakes), which supports primary care through funding specific clinical services.