2024
The Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Health 2024-27 was released on 30 June 2024.
The GPS showcases the health workforce as an essential enabler to achieve our health system outcomes and sets the expectation that regulatory settings related to the workforce are reviewed, in order to retain, value and recognise the workforce.
The Ministry is looking at options to improve health workforce regulatory settings in 2024, which will include public engagement. The Ministry is looking at international best practice on health workforce regulatory systems and patient safety, and considering how these models could be adapted to suit New Zealand’s unique needs.
We are also drawing on New Zealand’s experience responding to acute workforce pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic, which showed the benefits of empowering health workers to grow their skills.
2021
The Chinese Medicine Council was established as a responsible authority under the HPCA Act on the 1st of November 2021. Council members were appointed by the Minister of Health in May 2022 and first met in July 2022. Registration of Chinese medicine practitioners opened in July 2023.
The first independent performance reviews of the responsible authorities were conducted this year. A report on the outcomes of each authority’s performance review has been posted on the respective authority’s website.
2020
The Paramedic profession was regulated from 1 January 2020, and the Paramedic Council was established with inaugural appointments made on 21 June 2020.
2019
The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Act 2019 was passed on 9 April 2019.
2018
The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill was introduced to parliament on 15 February 2018. The Bill can be read on the New Zealand legislation website: Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill.
2014
Review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003
A strategic review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 began in 2012.
The objectives of the ongoing review are to assess how the operation of the Act can be improved, including how it continues to protect public safety in a changing health environment, and how it supports the development of New Zealand's health workforce now and in the future.
2011
7 Jul: Proposal that traditional Chinese medicine become a regulated profession under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003
There was an invitation to submit comments on the proposal to regulate traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Submissions closed on 19 August 2011.
2010
1 Jun: Applying for regulation under the HPCA Act
This document provides the criteria and guidelines for health professions wanting to apply for regulation under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act. These criteria came into effect from 1 July 2010.
