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. DHBs 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 can be found on the relevant Midlands region Te Whatu Ora websites below. Note that each region has a different application due date.
Te Whatu Ora Health NZ – Waikato - Applications are open for nurses who wish to apply for HWD funding to do postgraduate study in 2024. The closing date for applications is 15 September 2023. Please talk to your manager before applying. The link to the application form is under the section “How do I apply”?
Te Whatu Ora Health NZ – Lakes - Applications for funding for 2024 are open and close on 3 November 2023. Lakes DHB nurses need to be registered with Ko Awatea LEARN to access the application form once it's released - find info about how to register here on our website.
Te Whatu Ora Health NZ –Taranaki - Applications for 2024 opened Monday 11 September and will close 4pm on Monday 30 October 2023. Application outcome notification date is late November.
Te Whatu Ora Health NZ - Tairāwhiti - Applications are open for nurses who wish to apply for HWD funding to do postgraduate study in 2024. The closing date for applications is 5 November 2023. Please talk to your manager before applying.
National Mātanga Tapuhi Nurse Practitioner Training Programme (NPTP) 2024 applications are now open.
The Ministry of Health currently funds the NPTP as a national programme. There will be 100 places in 2024.
Five providers – the University of Waikato, the University of Auckland, the University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington and Massey University – deliver the NPTP across New Zealand. Nurse Practitioner training is provided through a coordinated programme between the partner universities. Nurses will apply to the programme of their choice from the approved providers to complete the NPTP.
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 NPTP 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 NPTP 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 NPTP 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.
Prospective NP students must complete the online application form.
This will include providing the required supporting documents, including a signed employer declaration of support. The forms are available on the application website.
Please ensure that any nurses who wish to apply do so before the closing date of Monday, 4 September 2023.
Nurse Practitioner training has continued to evolve to respond to increasing demand within the health care sector to address health care disparities. With the investment and support of Te Whatu Ora, New Zealand has developed a National Nurse Practitioner Training Programme which currently provides training for up to 80 students in 2023 and up to 100 in 2024.
If you have any queries about the programme, please contact the university of your choice, or for University of Auckland enquiries email postgradnursing@auckland.ac.nz.
If you are of Māori or Pacific descent, or any other priority areas for improving equity in our communities, and need further support preparing the for NPTP, please get in contact with programme co-leaders Sue Adams or Josephine Davis.
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:
Nurses may complete master’s courses to register as NPs delivered through other tertiary education providers. Students attending these programmes are eligible to access Post Graduate Nursing Funding (Health Workforce Directorate funding) through their local Te Whatu Ora under the direction of the Director of Nursing and their postgraduate education coordinator.
All master’s programmes that meet the requirements for registration as a NP have to meet the standards required by the NCNZ.
The introduction of a nationwide NPTP does not change the opportunity for nurses to complete their final year practicum courses through their existing tertiary education provider.
This diploma pathway is offered by a number of providers. Please see the links below for more information.
Email Kathy Knight, Diabetes Clinical Specialist, or phone 027 642 5846, to discuss these courses.
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.
Nurse leads
nursing@pinnacle.health.nz
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