New report highlights global forces reshaping New Zealand’s
nursing workforce
The Nursing Council is pleased to release its latest
publication: International nurse migration: implications for the New
Zealand nursing workforce. This report, informed by a cross-sector roundtable with Professor James Buchan, a globally recognised expert in nurse
mobility and health workforce policy, explores the shifting dynamics of nurse
migration and its impact on Aotearoa New Zealand’s health system.
Key findings
- Nearly half of New Zealand’s nursing workforce is now
internationally qualified, marking a dramatic shift in workforce composition
with implications for planning, retention, and equity.
- New Zealand ranks second in the OECD for reliance on internationally
qualified nurses – at least three times the OECD average – raising questions
about sustainability and self-sufficiency.
- Despite growth in Māori and Pacific nurse numbers,
representation remains static, with Māori nurses making up 7% and Pacific
nurses 4% of the workforce, highlighting ongoing equity challenges.
- New Zealand has become a ‘stepping stone’ for nurses heading
to Australia, enabled by the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997. Many
internationally qualified nurses register in New Zealand before moving on.
- The report calls for a system-wide approach, including
ethical recruitment, improved data collection, and better workforce planning to
future-proof New Zealand’s nursing workforce.
Understanding these international dynamics is vital for
building a sustainable nursing workforce and resilient health system.