Health New Zealand is committed to supporting nurses through postgraduate funding. This initiative helps nurses advance their careers while strengthening the healthcare system by ensuring that nurses are well-prepared to manage complex patient care.

Nurses can apply via their local district to study papers that build towards a postgraduate qualification such as a Postgraduate Certificate (60 pts), Postgraduate Diploma (120 pts) or Master's degree (180 and 240 pts). 

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Registration: Must be a registered nurse under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003).
  2. Annual Practising Certificate: Hold a current annual practising certificate without restrictions.
  3. Employment: Currently employed by Health New Zealand or by a health service funded by Health New Zealand.
  4. Residency: Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
  5. Employer Support: Evidence of support from the current employer to meet training requirements.
  6. Education Provider Criteria: Meet the entry criteria required by the education provider.

Further detail by district is provided below.

Canterbury

We run one funding round per year (usually August to October) for the following academic year. 

Email: PostgraduateNursingOffice@cdhb.health.nz

Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley

Applications for Postgraduate Funding for the 2026 academic year opens on 1 August and closes 6 October 2025

Application forms

Capital Coast and Hutt Valley Nurses working in Primary healthcare, Community and Aged and Residential Care settings planning to undertake postgraduate study must first apply for the Central Region Primary and Community Workforce Development Fund before seeking Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley postgraduate funding through Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora.

To apply, please complete the application form

Central Region Primary and Community Workforce Development fund application form (external link)

For further information or funding-related enquiries, contact: CentralRegionWFD@tuora.org.nzCapital

Capital, Coast Postgraduate funding application form

Hutt Valley Postgraduate funding application form

Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley works with Tertiary Education Organisations to support Registered Nurses (RN) across the district to study towards postgraduate qualifications. Nurses can apply for papers that build towards a postgraduate qualification.

Contact information

If you have any questions about the funding process or need assistance, please contact:

Before you apply

Funding process

The 2026 application process is for the entire 2026 academic year i.e. Trimester 1, Trimester 2 and Trimester 3. The steps below outline the process for funding applications.

Step one: Attend the Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley Postgraduate Roadshows to discuss papers and pathways with the Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) prior to completing the application for postgraduate funding. For venue, dates and times are available on the roadshow flyer.

Roadshow Poster - Are you considering postgraduate study [PDF, 467 KB]

Step Two Decide which papers you would like to apply for. Complete your Professional Development and Career Plan in discussion with your manager to identify career goals and how you will attain them.

Professional Development and Career Plan [PDF, 345 KB]

Step Three Any RNs who wish to apply for funding for the 2026 academic year must have a career conversation. Career conversations enable you to consider what your future aspirations are, and how your study pathway will support your professional growth. More details are available in the Career Conversation flyer for the appropriate person to book an appointment.

Postgraduate Career Conversation flyer [PDF, 426 KB]

Please bring the following documents to your career conversation and to discuss:

Step Four Following your career conversation, you will be able to apply for funding from 1 August using the relevant online application form. The application form will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, and you will not be able to save your progress, so it must be completed in one sitting. It is important that all sections are completed. You will receive an email acknowledgement of your application.

Postgraduate funding prioritisation principles

Hospital and Specialist Services – The service Nurse Director/ Director of Nursing/ Director of Midwifery and line manager will prioritise applications for their area. They will consider roster implications, skill mix on ward, how this paper will improve patient outcomes, how it fits with your area's professional development plan, and PDRP level of the applicant. Nursing and Midwifery Leadership complete the prioritisation process within the funding allocation.

Hospital and Specialist Services  Primary, Community and Aged and Residential Care 
All applicants to have professional development and career conversations prior to application.  All applicants to have professional development and career conversations prior to application. 
All applicants need a current PDRP (or submitted a completed portfolio to W&PDU) and performance review at the time of application.

All applicants need a current PDRP (or submitted a completed portfolio to W&PDU) at the time of application.

Exception: Plunket New Zealand nurses will be supported to complete postgraduate certificate, with funding allocated upon submission of their PDRP portfolio after completing their first paper.
Applicants employed 0.6 FTE and above. Applicants employed 0.6 FTE and above.
Funding may be considered on a case-by-case basis for applicants employed 0.5 FTE or below but prioritised for those employed 0.6 FTE and above. Funding may be considered on a case-by-case basis for applicants employed 0.5 FTE or below but prioritised for those employed 0.6 FTE and above.

Paper cost and clinical release costs inform the CTN code (previously informed by Health Workforce funding. e.g. CTN 21 funds paper without mentorship, CTN 22 partially funds paper that requires mentorship e.g. RN prescribing.

Nurses on the NP pathway must apply for NP practicum course funding through the NP Training Programme (NPTP) website.

Paper cost and clinical release costs inform the CTN code (e.g. CTN 21 funds paper without mentorship, CTN 22 partially funds paper that requires mentorship e.g. RN prescribing.

Nurses on the NP pathway must apply for NP practicum course funding through the NP Training Programme (NPTP) website
One paper per nurse is allocated for the academic year. A second paper (if funding is available) may be funded based on equity, population or service needs, or health priorities / targets and if completing masters qualification e.g. Project course. One paper per nurse is allocated for the academic year. A second paper may be funded based on equity, population or service needs, or health priorities or targets.
The prioritised papers include: Pathophysiology/anatomy and physiology, advanced assessment, Pharmacology for nurses on the clinical pathway. Other papers may be funded where directly relevant to the nurses’ role or strategic goals e.g. Māori health and wellbeing, Prescribing papers for Clinical Nurse Specialists or RN Prescribers, Intellectual Disability, Addictions and Forensic papers. The prioritised papers include: Pathophysiology/anatomy and physiology, advanced assessment, Pharmacology for nurses on the clinical pathway. Other papers may be funded where directly relevant to the nurse's role or strategic goals e.g. Māori health and wellbeing, Prescribing papers for Clinical Nurse Specialists
Māori and Pacific applicants are prioritised as per GPS. Māori and Pacific applicants are prioritised as per GPS.
Papers delivered in Wellington will be prioritised. RNs in MHAIDs and NICU will be supported to complete specific papers/course (excluding the NESP PG Cert) delivered out of region (costs of paper, subsidised travel and accommodation). Study beyond postgraduate certificate is ideally supported locally.

Papers delivered in Wellington will be prioritised.

RNs in MHAIDs if applicable will be supported to complete PG Cert at Auckland (costs of paper, subsidised travel and accommodation). Study beyond PG certificate is ideally supported locally.
* If Health New Zealand releases separate Critical Care funding for nurses working in Intensive Care Unit, this funding will be utilised first, prior to allocation of postgraduate funding. * If Health New Zealand releases separate funding for nurses employed Primary, Community and Aged & Residential Care, nurses will be notified to utilise this funding first instead of postgraduate funding.

Hospital and Specialist Services

Once applications are processed as per the prioritisation principles above, the following occurs:

Service Nurse Director/DON MHAIDS/ADON and line managers rank applications from 1 (most supported) to 10 (less supported) using the following prioritisation order:

  1. Māori and Pacific Nurses
  2. PDRP/Performance Review (PR) must be current at the correct level as per criteria for application
  3. Paper choice is relevant to clinical practice
  4. Nurses in senior designated roles may be funded to Masters level
  5. Nurse Educators may be funded to Masters level with a focus on education
  6. NETP graduates

Prescribing Practicum Courses

All career conversations for nurses working towards a RN Prescribing Practicum must be completed by Helen Costello Nurse Consultant - Advanced Practice.

If you are planning to undertake a RN prescribing practicum please follow the Decision-making and support flowchart for RN Prescribing in Primary Health and Specialty teams.

Decision-making and support flowchart for RN Prescribing in Primary Health and Specialty teams [PDF, 240 KB]

Support to undertake the RN prescribing practicum courses relies on organisational agreement for role development before applying to the university. A RN Prescribing Practicum Support Plan will address the additional expectations for clinical teaching, prescribing supervision (medical or NP) and advanced practice mentoring associated with this course.

Prescribing Practicum Support Plan [DOCX, 14 KB]

For more information or guidance, please contact Helen Costello. This is important especially when your Service does not have an established role expectations for RN Prescribing. The PG associated with the RN Prescribing practicums contributes towards the additional costs associated with completing this course

Clinical Mentoring

Clinical mentoring is the provision of clinical teaching and coaching to support the RN to extend knowledge and skills through clinical experience, critical thinking, skilled health assessment and comprehension of diagnostic measures and outcomes. These skills are required for evidence based clinical reasoning associated with advanced assessment courses and RN Prescribing Practicums.

Application for up to 10 hours clinical mentoring support must be approved prior to undertaking a course requiring this e.g. advanced assessment course

Nurses enrolling in the course requiring this must discuss this in consultation with their Line Manager and W&PDU at the time of your PG career conversation. 

Counties Manukau

  • Semester 2, 2025 applications are now closed for Counties Manukau.

Application form

  • If your application is successful, it is only for Semester one or two
  • You will be notified via email before the end of May 2025.

Important Notes:

  • Line Manager Support: Your application must be supported by your line manager(s).
  • Main Contact Method: Email will be used for communication.
  • Career Plan: All applicants must have completed a career plan with their line manager before applying for HWD funding.
  • Funding Application: You need to apply for funding every semester.

Contact:

Email: postgradnursingMMH@middlemore.co.nz 

MidCentral

Applications open the first Friday in September and close on last Friday of October

Application process:

Prioritisation criteria and funding allocation

  • All applicants: Must have a current PDRP and career plan.

Contact

Nelson Marlborough

2026 Applications open Monday 16 June through to Friday 15 August 2025

Please complete both relevant Career Plan and Application Primary and ARC:

The following links only work for Nelson Marlborough employees:

Contact

Otago and Southland

Applications for Postgraduate Nursing Education Funding for the 2026 academic year will open on 1st September and close on the 1st October 2025.

Postgraduate Nursing Tertiary Providers Expo for the 2026 academic year to be held:

  • Monday 1 September 2025 11:30-4:30pm at Dunedin Hospital (Fraser Conference Rooms, 1st Floor, Fraser Building)
  • Tuesday 2 September 2025 11:30am-4:00pm at Southland Hospital (Corridor outside staff café)

There will be representatives from multiple training providers, as well as the staff from the Postgraduate Nursing Education Office in attendance. You will be able to discuss study plans, and clarify the funding application process, as well as the process for enrolling at your chosen Tertiary Provider.

Application Round for Study in 2026

The funding application round for study in 2026 will be open in September 2025.

All applications for funding must be completed using the online application forms. This application for funding covers the entire 2026 academic year and is your only opportunity to apply for funding.

Before you apply, please make sure that:

  • You have read and understood the information provided in the Postgraduate Nursing Education Investment Information document which can be found below.
  • You have had a discussion about your career and professional development planning with your Line Manager and Nurse Educator and if applicable your Director of Nursing or Nurse Lead of your PHO/Organisation.
  • You meet the funding eligibility requirements for Postgraduate Education Funding.

Funding documents

PGNE Funding Investment Information

It is a requirement that all applicants read and understand the Postgraduate Nursing Education Information document.  

Funding Reimbursement Claim Forms

All claim forms should be completed electronically and submitted to the PGNE office, PGNEfunding@southerndhb.govt.nz with supporting documentation.

Travel and accommodation claims:

Employer release time claims:

Contact details

Postal address

PG Nursing Education Office c/o- Practice Development Unit (Otago)
First Floor Fraser Building, Cumberland Street, Dunedin
Box 20, Dunedin Hospital
Private Bag 1921, DUNEDIN 9054

Rotorua and Taupō

Health workforce directorate funding

Applications for 2025 funding are now closed.

Funding applications for 2026 will open on 15th September 2025 and run until 7th November 2025.

Apply through our online learning platform:

Ko Awatea LEARN (external link)

As this is a secure site, you will need an individual username and password to access the application form. Health New Zealand Lakes staff have access to this site as employees.

Community providers

Community organisations need to set up a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Health New Zealand Lakes before they can apply to access funding for staff.  

This process can take up to 2 weeks to complete so it is best to contact us as early as possible. 

South Canterbury

In South Canterbury, we conduct one funding round from August 1st to September 30th for the entire following academic year.

For more details, please contact Anneke Dossett, Post Graduate Coordinator:

Tairāwhiti

Applications for 2025 postgraduate funding closed November 9 2024. 

To find out about the next round:

Taranaki

Are you a registered nurse (RN) in Taranaki ready to advance your career?

Funding and support are available for postgraduate study in 2025. Eligible trainees must be employed by Health New Zealand Taranaki or by a Vote Health Funded Organisation (VHF).

Applications for funding is open until Friday 19 September 2025.

Funding priorities

  1. Applicants, who successfully completed the NETP programme will be prioritised to complete a Postgraduate Certificate.
  2. Recruitment, retention and development of the RN workforce identifying as Māori.
  3. Prioritised workforce needs identified by Health NZ Taranaki or VHF organisation, identified on the application form.
  4. Employer support where postgraduate study/qualification is a requirement of a role.
  5. Course of study aligns with National and regional health priorities such as Ministry of Health strategies, Whakamaua, Te Pae Tata or organisational strategies.
  6. Locally delivered papers or specialty papers infrequently offered.

Tertiary providers for postgraduate study options:

Study plans:

For more information

  1. Information on postgraduate study and the application for funding process is available on the Application Form.
    Taranaki Postgraduate Application Form [DOCX, 68 KB]

  2. All the education providers invite you to contact them to discuss study options, pathways and career choices.

  3. Do also discuss your postgraduate study aspirations with your manager and clinical nurse educator. The PG coordinator, Kaitlyn Pritchard, can also be contacted for guidance at Post.Graduatestudiescoordinator@tdhb.org.nz

  4. Taranaki Postgraduate Funding Handbook 2025 [DOCX, 604 KB]

Te Tai Tokerau

Applications will reopen in September for study in 2026.

Claim forms:

All claim forms should be completed and submitted via email or post to Nurse Coordinator: Postgraduate Education. Supporting documents must be included such as receipts for accommodation and parking (these must be GST receipts).

Te Whatu Ora staff should provide:

  • Claim form (including page 4 Staff Expenses form)
  • GST Receipts (for accommodation/parking).

External organisations should provide:

  • Claim form (excluding page 4 Staff Expenses form)
  • GST Receipts (for accommodation/parking)
  • Invoice from organisation.

Postgraduate Nursing Annual Roadshow

This years roadshow will be held on Wednesday 24th September 2025, 10am to 2pm. Drop in sessions. Come to discuss your postgraduate options and academic plans with University representatives.

Useful information:

Contact:

Stacey Babe
Email: PGNursing@northlanddhb.org.nz
Mobile: 021 447 193

Wairarapa

Applications for 2026 academic year opens Friday, 1 August 2025

Application forms

Eligibility criteria:

  • Currently employed as an RN by a health service that is funded by Health New Zealand or Ministry of Health
  • Must work a minimum of 0.6FTE on a permanent basis (not fixed-term or casual)
  • Must have a current PDRP (minimum competent) at the time of application
  • Hold a current APC with no restrictions
  • Be a New Zealand citizen or hold a New Zealand residency permit
  • Not a concurrent recipient of scholarships or funding from an alternative funding source

Funding process:

The 2026 application process is for the entire 2026 academic year i.e Trimester One, Trimester Two, Trimester Three (summer school). The steps below outline the process for funding applications:

  • Step One
    Drop into the postgraduate roadshow on Monday 21st July 2025 between 12pm and 4pm in the CSSB Lecture Room at Wairarapa Hospital to discuss papers and study pathways with various Tertiary Education Organisations
  • Step Two
    Decide which papers you would like to apply for and complete your Professional Development and Career Plan in discussion with your manager to identify career goals and how you will attain them
  • Step Three
    Arrange a career conversation – remember to take your Professional Development and Career Plan and any academic transcripts from previous postgraduate study.
    Contact Hannah Chittick to book your career conversation – Hannah.Chittick@wairarapa.dhb.org.nz
  • Step Four
    Apply for funding using the appropriate online application form from Friday 1 August 2025. It is important all sections are completed.

If you have any trouble with the application form, please contact Hannah.Chittick@wairarapa.dhb.org.nz for assistance. You will receive email acknowledgment of your application. Applications close Friday 3 October 2025.

Useful information

  • Career Conversations: Email Hannah Chittick (PG Funding Coordinator) to book your career conversation
  • Clinical Mentoring Support: Up to 10-hours must be approved prior to undertaking a course requiring this. Negotiation with your Line Manager and DON during your career conversation is necessary. Approval will be documented in the confirmation email.

RN Prescribing Practicum or Nurse Practitioner (NP) Advanced Practice

  • If you are planning to undertake RN prescribing or NP practicum course, approval to enrol is required at a service level and the Chief Nurse.
  • Support relies on organisational agreement for role development during and after the practicum.
  • A Prescribing Practicum Support Plan must be prepared before commencing the paper.
  • This information also informs work-site planning, funding prioritisation and workforce development.

Contacts

Waikato

Semester 1 and 2, 2026 applications close for Waikato nurses on Friday 12 September 2025.

Health New Zealand - Waikato nurses

Non-Health New Zealand or Ministry of Health funded nurses

Eligibility requirements:

  • Employment: Must be currently employed as an RN or RM by a health service funded by Health NZ Waikato or the Ministry of Health. 
  • Work hours: Must work 0.6 FTE or above (equivalent to 3 days per week or more).
  • Funding pathway: Must apply for a Postgraduate Certificate before a Postgraduate Diploma.

Application preparation:

  1. Discuss with Manager: Ensure your application is discussed with your manager.
  2. Career goals: Write down your short, medium, and long-term goals (max 50 words each).
  3. Course details: Full details of the papers you plan to take.
  4. Previous papers: Have a record of the papers you have already completed.

Post-approval process:

  • Notification: Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by mid-December.
  • Notify Coordinator: Successful applicants need to notify the Professional Development Unit coordinator that are accepting the funding

Financial support offered ti students working 0.6 and upwards. Those with higher FTE are prioritised:

  • Full cost of your paper will be paid for successful applicants. If you receive a reminder for fee payment, contact the Professional Development Unit coordinator
  • Clinical release - covers the cost (up to $28 per hour) of releasing you to attend study days during working hours.
  • Travel costs 100kms or over are eligible for up to $1000 for 30-point paper. Complete travel and accommodation form. Complete Waikato Staff expense claim form.
    Travel costs under 100kms - no travel or accommodation allowance.
  • Waikato staff expense claim form for travel and accommodation [PDF, 58 KB] 
  • Non-Health New Zealand or Ministry of Health funded nurse complete reimbursement form for expenses before the end of your study.
    Non-Health NZ or Ministry of Health funded nurse reimbursement form for your expenses [DOC, 52 KB]
  • Clinical mentoring - Funding to assist in meeting a portion
  • Clinical release covers the cost (per hour) of releasing you to attend study days that occur during working hours. The maximum amount is $28 per hour. Please speak to your Nurse or Midwife Manager and Clinical Nurse Director of the Professional Development Unit.

Useful resources:

Contact information:

Whanganui

Applications for 2026 postgraduate funding will open between 18 August and 17 October 2025.

The Postgraduate Nursing Funding Programme prioritises those working towards a qualification, rather than individual papers i.e. Postgraduate Certificate (60 pts), Postgraduate Diploma (120 pts) or Master of Nursing (180 and 240 pts). Prioritisation follows the initial application and career conversation supported by your line manager and Associate Director of Nursing (for prescribing pathways).

2025 Postgraduate Nursing Funding Programme Application (external link)

The following criteria is the minimum requirement for eligibility and must be included with your application:

Prioritisation for papers include:

  • Prioritised papers include pathophysiology/anatomy and physiology, advanced assessment, pharmacology for nurses on the clinical pathway. Other papers may be funded where directly relevant to the nurse’s role or strategic goals e.g. Māori Health and wellbeing, Primary Health Care Specialty Nursing.
  • Māori and Pacific applicants prioritised per Te Pae Tat
  • Graduates on completion of NETP will be prioritised for funding in their second year of employment to complete their PG certificate (Health New Zealand Whanganui applicants only).
  • Applicants embarking on a Nurse Prescriber pathway and includes evidence that the “Nurse Prescribing Pathway” policy has been processed and approved (applies to Health New Zealand – Whanganui staff only).
  • Applicants who require postgraduate papers as per role requirements. 
  • Applicants working in key service and/or those areas which meet the requirements of the system level measures and district/national priorities.
  • Applicants in a designated leadership role [DOCX, 362 KB]

Prioritisation Framework and Criteria

PDRP Expectation 

  • PG Certificate applicants must hold a minimum level Competent PDRP
  • PG Diploma applicants must hold a minimum level Proficient PDRP
  • Masters applicants must hold an Expert PDRP
  • Leadership applicants must hold a Senior PDRP

Clinical Mentoring

Clinical mentoring is the provision of clinical teaching and coaching to support the RN to extend knowledge and skills through clinical experience, critical thinking, skilled health assessment and comprehension of diagnostic measures and outcomes.These skills are required for evidence based clinical reasoning.

This funding is available for papers/courses that require clinical mentoring/clinical mentor in addition to academic teaching/mentoring. It is for the provision of teaching, coaching and mentoring by a relevant registered health professional (experienced competent practitioner and/or prescriber) to support the trainee to integrate their postgraduate learning into the practice setting.

Application for up to 10 hours clinical mentoring support must be approved prior to undertaking a course requiring this. Clinical mentoring must be negotiated by the applicant in consultation with your manager. The mentoring plan should be provided with your application and a record of hours kept during the period of study.

Contact information: