The funded programme is available for graduate midwives who have completed their midwifery education programme in New Zealand and who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. Participants can be asked to provide evidence of residency.

International students scroll down for further information.

Other eligibility criteria all graduate midwives must meet are:

• holds a New Zealand midwifery degree awarded within 2 years of her programme commencement and on application of her APC must join the next available cohort

• holds a current New Zealand Annual Practicing Certificate throughout her programme duration

• working as a self-employed caseload midwife (Lead Maternity Carer, LMC) or as an employed core or caseload midwife. An LMC graduate midwife must be building a caseload on programme commencement and is expected to have a caseload of approximately 20 or more clients by programme completion. If a graduate midwife’s geographical location and/or the number of midwives in that region/area make it difficult for her to achieve this number, then additional midwifery practice could include acting as a second midwife, providing locum or backup for other LMC’s, and/or undertaking casual shifts at a maternity facility. The graduate midwife needs to keep accurate records of this work as it will be included in the practice requirement

OR

• working as an employed graduate midwife is expected to be employed for 32 hours per week (0.8 FTE). Participation for a graduate midwife who is employed for less than 32 hours/week e.g. 0.6–0.8 FTE will be considered on a case-by-case basis

Any graduate midwife who does not meet all of the above eligibility criteria will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Mentors are asked to confirm (and provide evidence if requested), that they:

• have successfully completed the NZCOM workshop The Practicalities of Being a Mentor Midwife within the last three years if you have not mentored in that time

• are registered with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand (Midwifery Council) ‘in good standing’ and with no restrictions on registration that would negatively impact on her abilities to be a mentor

• to be a current member of The New Zealand College of Midwives

• have an Annual Practising Certificate with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand and practising throughout the graduate midwife’s programme duration

• have significant midwifery experience across the Midwifery Scope of Practice i.e. have practised as a midwife for at least five years, and if an employed midwife preferably at the level (or equivalent) of Leadership Domain within the Quality and Leadership Programme (as outlined in the Multi-Employer Collective Agreement, MECA)

• have met all the requirements of the Midwifery Council Recertification Programme over the previous three years and have completed at least one Midwifery Standards Review. If mentors have not been practising as a midwife in New Zealand over the three years prior to joining the (MFYP) programme (e.g. if previously working overseas or returning to practice from parental leave) you must confirm you are working towards Recertification Programme requirements

• have well established and collegial working relationships with midwifery and other health professional colleagues within the region in which you are both practicing

• are able to promote equity of outcomes for Maori and practice in a culturally safe manner with all consumer groups

• are willing and committed to supporting and encouraging a graduate midwife through your role as a mentor and to receiving feedback on your performance as a mentor

• are in a position to make the required time commitment e.g. reduction in caseload or employment FTE as necessary.

Click here for more information about your role as a mentor.