Mō mātou
About us
We are the regulatory authority responsible for the registration of nurses. Our primary function is to protect the health and safety of members of the public by ensuring that nurses are competent and fit to practise.
We fulfil this function by:
- registering nurses
- setting ongoing competence requirements and issuing practising certificates
- setting scopes of practice and the qualifications required for registration
- accrediting and monitoring education providers and setting the state examination
- providing guidelines and standards for practice
- receiving and acting on notifications of health and competence concerns
- receiving and acting on complaints about the conduct of nurses
- promoting public awareness of the Council's responsibilities.
Our role and responsibilities are outlined in the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act).
Under current legislation, if a locally trained nurse or an internationally qualified nurse meets the requirements for registration in New Zealand, the Council is required to register them.
The Council has no role in the recruitment or employment of internationally qualified nurses.
More information on the work we do can be found within our Strategic Plan 2022-2024.