Health professionals
A - Z of services
Laboratories
Primary care management guidelines
Heath education funding and scholarships
Referral information, guidelines & forms
 
Waikato Hospital celebrating 125 years

Midwifery FAQs

These FAQs are designed to answer questions for prospective candidates currently registered abroad looking to work as a registered midwife with the Waikato District Health Board (Waikato DHB).

Q) I work as a Midwife in my country and have several years experience. I am exploring the option of moving to New Zealand. What steps do I need to take in order to be eligible to work as a Registered Midwife with the Waikato District Health Board?
  • A) First and foremost, you will need to contact the Midwifery Council of New Zealand to gain registration (see contact details below). Once you have gained New Zealand registration, you are eligible to apply for an Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) through the Midwifery Council for your licence to practice as a Registered Midwife. Please note that the registration process takes time and once registration is gained, applying for a position at the Waikato DHB can be launched at the same time as your application for an APC.

    However, should your ability to take up a position be delayed due to immigration realities, then it may be wise to delay applying for an APC until closer to the time of you actually taking up the position.  Please visit our website below detailed in the ‘Useful Links’ section to view vacant positions.
Q) I am just about to complete my degree in Midwifery in my home country and I am very interested in working in New Zealand as a Registered Midwife. Once I complete my degree, would I be suitably qualified to work as a Registered Midwife with the Waikato DHB?
  • A) A newly graduated midwife has to follow the same process as described above. You will need to contact the Midwifery Council of New Zealand to gain registration first and then acquire an APC. The Midwifery Council of New Zealand has the full authority to assess your eligibility and they will make the decision whether or not to grant you registration in New Zealand. Once registration is achieved, please visit our website for current vacancies. Again, please refer to the statement above around APC application.
Q) Would I need to complete a competency course or complete extra training before I can be issued with an Annual Practicing Certificate (APC)?
  • A) This is totally dependent on the decisions made by the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. It will be best to contact them prior to applying for your APC. It may be the case that you are issued with an Interim APC or an APC with conditions attached outlining any restrictions on your scope or outlining any extra training you have to complete before the APC becomes invalid.
Q) Can you tell me a bit about your model of midwifery care in New Zealand?
  • A) For this and other information concerning Midwifery practice in New Zealand, please visit either the New Zealand College of Midwives or the Ministry of Health websites detailed below:
Page last updated on 26/03/2009