New Zealand has a unique and successful model of care for maternity services which can take some time to adjust to if coming from overseas models but which offers excellent learning experiences and a chance to develop new skills.
In New Zealand, midwifery is a profession with a distinct body of knowledge and its own Scope of Practice, Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Women can choose to give birth at home, in a maternity facility or birthing centre, or in a maternity hospital.
The vast majority of pregnant women choose a midwife as their Lead Maternity Carer and approximately half of New Zealand’s midwives are self-employed.
If you are an overseas trained midwife who enjoys spending time outdoors, New Zealand may be the place for you. NZ is a small country in size but offers a diverse landscape and lots of opportunity to partake in activities such as hiking, scuba diving, surfing, kayaking and cycling.
Midwifery positions are available on both the North Island, which has a slightly warmer climate, and the South Island which is recognised by its dramatic landscape and known for tourism and adventure opportunities.
Part time and full time positions are available offering chances to rotate across all areas – antenatal, delivery suite and postnatal. Working as a midwife in New Zealand you will be expected to work in partnership with other midwives as part of a continuity-of-care team or as core staff in hospitals on rostered shifts.
The country as a whole has a lower birth rate than Europe, the UK and the USA so this may mean a less hectic workload and a more laid-back lifestyle.
You may opt to choose to work in a challenging but rewarding rural setting in a maternity unit within a community hospital, or on a busy maternity ward assisting women with high risk situations. This will be both rewarding and challenging.
Registration of midwives is handled by the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. It is important to fully understand the requirements of registration as a midwife in order to work in New Zealand. If you are interested in working as a midwife in New Zealand, submit your resume to HealthStaff Recruitment today and we will do our best to help you land a role that suits your skills and experience.