Registering as a Midwife

To practice as a midwife in New Zealand requires registration with the Midwifery Council. The Midwifery Council also has other regulatory functions such as approval of educational programmes and discipline. The Midwifery Council of New Zealand is a statutory body and works within the provisions of the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act 2003. See the page on regulation of midwifery to find out more about the Council.

To register as a midwife in New Zealand

The Midwifery Council has set the competencies and the educational requirements for registration as a midwife that must be met. These were developed in collaboration with the New Zealand College of Midwives. New Zealand midwives must successfully complete an approved midwifery education programme, meet a minimum hours requirement, facilitate a minimum of 30 births and meet the competencies for registration. They are then put forward for registration by the school of midwifery and must pass the National examination set by the Midwifery Council.

Midwives seeking registration in New Zealand from overseas are individually assessed according to the Midwifery Council policy on overseas registration.

To find out more about registration and the functions of the Midwifery Council of New Zealand visit their website www.midwiferycouncil.org.nz