August 02, 2022
Tikanga added for nurse induction
Lessons for foreign nurses in tīkanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi are part of a new $14 million package aimed at filling some of the 3000 empty places in the health workforce.
Whatu Ora chief executive Fepulu’a’i Margie Apa says a pilot training programme is running in Northland and will roll out across the motu over time.
She says the package was developed with input from the Māori Heath Authority, Te Aka Whai Ora.
“We’ve had interest from around the world because people are interested in what New Zealand is doing in indigenous health so we are really emphasising the support for people coming into the country, to be fit for our community is really important,” she says.
Other elements in the package announced yesterday by Ms Apa and Health Minister Andrew Little include covering reregistration costs for New Zealand nurses who want to return to the sector;
– up to $10,000 to help nurses from overseas get New Zealand registration;
• covering international doctors’ salaries during their six-week clinical induction courses and three-month training internships;
• a co-ordinated and enhanced national and international healthcare recruitment campaign;
• training more doctors, nurses and radiographers;
• and dedicated immigration support services to make it easier for health workers to move to New Zealand.