More Information About the NZCOM

The NZCOM was formed in 1989 to represent the interests of midwives and childbearing women (consumers). Founded on the principle of midwifery as a partnership between midwives and women, the organisational structure of the NZCOM reflects and supports this partnership by ensuring a place for women as well as midwives at every level of the NZCOM and in every NZCOM process.

Through working in partnership with women the NZCOM aims to ensure that midwives remain professionally autonomous and that women have the opportunity to be in control of their childbearing experiences.

The political partnership between women and midwives through the eighties culminated in the Nurses Amendment Act that was passed in 1990.

This Act enabled midwives to practise on their own responsibility, order laboratory tests, prescribe medications and access hospital facilities and services. It provided for equal pay for work of equal value. Its effect was to give equivalent status with medical practitioners in the provision of services for pregnancy and childbirth.

Midwives are now regulated by the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance (HPCA) Act 2003. See the Regulation Of Midwives for more information about the regulation of midwifery in New Zealand.

The NZCOM represents midwives in negotiations with the Ministry of Health regarding the Section 88 notice for Maternity Benefit Schedule and provides professional indemnity insurance for its members.

Links referenced

Regulation Of Midwives: http://www.midwife.org.nz/index.cfm/1,130,0,-1,html/Regulation-of-Midwives

Location http://www.midwife.org.nz/index.cfm/1,175,545,html