We are thrilled that you are interested in working as a midwife in New Zealand. At Southern we value a multi-diverse workforce.
We appreciate having overseas midwives join our team and bringing their knowledge and experience. We are grateful you are considering joining our whānau.
What do I need to work as a midwife in New Zealand?
To work as a midwife in New Zealand, you need to register with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. They will check your education transcripts against the New Zealand standards and tell you what steps you need to take to get registered. This may involve doing an Overseas Competence Programme. You will also need to provide several documents and demonstrate your English language proficiency. This process can take some time, so please be patient. You can find more information about the registration process here.
Annual Practising Certificate
Once you are registered, you will need to apply for an Annual Practising Certificate before you can start working as a midwife in New Zealand. This is a different step from registration, and it is important that you complete both. You can find more information about the practising certificate here.
Work visa or residency requirements
You will also need to meet the work visa or residency requirements with Immigration New Zealand before you can work in New Zealand. The good news is that Midwifery is recognised as a skilled worker, which fast tracks immigration. You can read more information about work visas and residency here: Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa: Visa details | Immigration New Zealand
To support midwives transitioning into a different maternity environment, we have a team of dedicated midwifery clinical coaches who will help you navigate the New Zealand system and boost your confidence.
Contact
If you want to discuss midwifery roles at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern, please email us at clinicalmidwifecoach@southerndhb.govt.nz or call us at 027 8820760.