Nursing organisations and websites

The Nursing Council of New Zealand is the statutory authority that governs the practice of nurses. The Council sets and monitors standards in the interests of the public and the profession.

Visit their website: Nursing Council of New Zealand

Health NZ is responsible for delivering, funding and improving services and outcomes across the health system.

Visit their website: Health New Zealand

The National Nurse Leaders group (NNLg) is a national nursing leadership coalition in Aotearoa New Zealand. As a rōpū of senior nurse leaders from across the sector, NNLg serves as a powerful and strategic entity that provides direction, strengthens the voice of nursing and fosters strategic relationships. Through respectful connection and information sharing, NNLg supports member groups to provide strategic commentary and response - either individually or collectively - to current and emerging healthcare sector directions. NNLg supports the active engagement of member groups.

Key functions:

• provide a forum for member groups to discuss and develop advice to key stakeholders on health policy, practice and education issues and significant nursing matters as they arise and enable members to effectively respond either collectively or individually
• understand the sociopolitical context of both health and education in New Zealand and actively interpret the impact on nursing and public safety
• provide representation on key groups that involve or impact nursing
• provide clear communication to the nursing sector and interested parties through position statements on key strategies and significant nursing matters.

Te Kaunihera o Ngā Neehi Māori (Te Kaunihera) is a national indigenous professional body providing leadership and support to Māori nurses, midwives, kaimahi and students. Te Kaunihera has a key focus on positive health outcomes for Māori recognising the importance of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), tikanga (customs) and traditional practices workforce through development initiatives, cultural safety and whānau ora. Information about the organisation’s history, membership, events and news can be found on their website.

The General Practice New Zealand Nurse Leaders (GPNZ nurse leaders group) is one of six member groups of GPNZ providing a national voice on primary care and supporting general practice and community-based services. They meet regularly to advocate, connect, develop models of care, enhance the patient experience and build leadership capability across the primary care nursing workforce.

The GPNZ nurse leaders group hold strong relationships with the chief nurses within Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora and the Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora. The group are regularly called on to contribute to national level work in domains such as immunisation, screening and workforce development.

Visit their website: General Practice New Zealand Nurse Leaders

The Pan Pacific Nurses Association (PPNA) is a professional nursing collaboration of Pacific nurses across New Zealand and the South Pacific region. The PPNA recognises the importance of investing in Pacific nurses to improve health outcomes for Pacific peoples. Their vision is: "Pacific Peoples will achieve their fullest potential for wellbeing, strength and longevity".

Visit their website: Pan Pacific Nurses Association 

Nurse Executives Aotearoa (NEA) is a national network of nurse leaders from health and disability providers, nursing regulation and nursing education providers across the whole of health. The organisation leads quality professional practice innovations, influences workforce development for the future and enhances nursing contribution for effective health outcomes. The NEA website provides information about the organisations network and enables access to resources for all members.

Visit their website: Nurse Executives Aotearoa

The Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (Australia & New Zealand) (CDNM) is the peak organisation representing universities and other higher education institutions that offer undergraduate and postgraduate nursing and midwifery programs  in Australia and New Zealand. The CDNM provides leadership and representation of nursing and midwifery education and research in undergraduate and postgraduate programs leading to qualification as a registered nurse or registered midwife. They also advocate for the nursing and midwifery professions by shaping education, research and innovation for professional effectiveness.

Visit their website: Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (Australia & New Zealand) (CDNM)

Nursing Education in the Tertiary Sector – Te Rōpū Kaiako Tapuhi (NETS) is a national network of Heads of Nursing in the undergraduate and postgraduate nursing education programmes (ie, Te Pūkenga polytechnics, universities, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi) and nurse educators working in tertiary education and/or clinical practice.
NETS provides leadership on nursing education and workforce development in New Zealand and facilitate a national forum for collaboration, benchmarking, and evaluating nursing education.

Kawa Whakaruruhau Wharangi Ruamano is a national Māori nurse educators and academics group providing collective leadership on nursing education and workforce issues for Māori across the nursing education sector. They are an independent entity working with stakeholders across both tertiary education and health and disability including the Council of Deans, NETs, National Nurse Leaders group, the Nursing Council of New Zealand and the nursing leadership at Health NZ and the Ministry of Health.

As the only representative group of Māori educators from the schools of nursing around the country, KWWR advise and support the fulfilment of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, professional growth and development of nurse educators and contribute to the ongoing development of Kawa Whakaruruhau and Cultural Safety to support nursing tauira (students), and ultimately equitable health outcomes for all.

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation is the largest union and professional organisation of nurses, kaimahi hauora, midwives and caregivers in New Zealand. They embrace Te Tiriti O Waitangi and work to improve the health status of all peoples of Aotearoa/New Zealand through participation in health and social policy development.

Visit their website: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Te Runanga o Aotearoa NZNO comprises NZNO’s Māori membership and is the arm through which its Treaty-based partnership is articulated.

Visit their website: Te Runanga o Aotearoa

Te Ao Maramatanga (New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses) Inc. is the professional body for practising Mental Health Nurses in New Zealand.

Visit their website: Te Ao Maramatanga

The College of Nurses Aotearoa (NZ) is a professional body of New Zealand nurses from all regions and specialities. They provide a voice for the nursing profession and professional commentary on issues which affect nurses, and also the health of the whole community.

Visit their website: College of Nurses Aotearoa

An organisation providing a collective voice to advance nurse practitioner practice and enable high-quality integrated, accessible health care throughout New Zealand.

Visit their website: Nurse Practitioners New Zealand

The New Zealand Occupational Health Nurses Association is the professional body for occupational health nurses in New Zealand. They promote and assist professional development, including meeting the competency-based goals required by the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

Visit their website: New Zealand Occupational Health Nurses Association

A peer-reviewed nursing journal for New Zealand that reflects upon, and is relevant to, any aspect of nursing practice in New Zealand.

Visit their website: Nursing Praxis in New Zealand

Handover is a newsletter put out by Te Pou o te Whakaaro Nui for mental health and addiction nurses. Te Pou is a national centre of evidence-based workforce development for the mental health, addiction and disability sectors.

Read the Handover – mental health and addiction nursing newsletter

The International Council of Nurses is a federation of national nurses' associations, representing nurses in more than 120 countries. ICN is operated by nurses for nurses, and works to ensure quality nursing care, sound health policies globally, the advancement of nursing knowledge, and the presence worldwide of a respected nursing profession and a competent and satisfied nursing workforce.

Visit their website: International Council of Nurses