20 August 2021

From Sunday 26 September 2022 the Government no longer requires nurses to follow the mandatory vaccination requirements. The Nursing Council is maintaining this page as a historical record only. Please note that an individual employer might still have vaccination requirements and is permitted to ask about your vaccination status. If you are not vaccinated we recommend that you discuss this with any potential employers.

He kupu manaaki ki ngā tāpuhi o Aotearoa,

With the COVID-19 lockdown in place, Te Kaunihera Tapuhi o Aotearoa the Nursing Council of New Zealand would like to acknowledge and thank the nursing profession for its resilient and steadfast response in putting patients and their care first.

As a profession, nurses have met the many challenges posed by COVID-19 with a level of excellence and professionalism, and continue to do so no matter whether it be in hospital, community or primary care.

By taking care of so many others in the community during this sustained pandemic, and particularly during the lockdown, we recognise this can potentially affect your own wellbeing, whether it be dealing with childcare pressures, maintaining your work-life balance or even feeling as though you do not have time to look after yourself.  

We urge you to look out for and support each other, and take time out for yourselves in the face of these pressures as this will provide you a way forward to continue providing the level of excellence our nurses are known for.

The Council would like to extend our thanks to the nursing profession who make caring for others their top priority and who are contributing towards the health of all New Zealanders − ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.  Thank you everyone.  

Te Kaunihera Tāpuhi o Aotearoa is continuing to work closely with the Ministry of Health and DHBs to ensure we are aligned in supporting the national response.

Mā te tauwhirotanga o te wāhi ngaro koutou e manaaki, e tiaki.

Tania Kemp
Chair Person



Maria Armstrong
Deputy Chairperson