This programme will provide capable and responsive Te Tiriti o Waitangi midwifery practitioners who will have the knowledge, skills and attributes required to work autonomously and to provide high levels of midwifery care for women/people and their whānau in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Graduates will be culturally competent, sustainable, and reflective professionals who will be able to engage in whānau-centred midwifery care that upholds the 'mauri o te wahine'.

Graduates of this qualification will be eligible to apply for registration as a midwife in Aotearoa New Zealand upon successful completion of the National Midwifery Examination. They will be able to practice across the Midwifery Scope of Practice in a range of midwifery settings and meet the Competencies for Entry to the Register of Midwives.

1. Work in partnership with women/people to provide whānau-centred midwifery care across the Scope of Practice.
2. Demonstrate contemporary applications of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in midwifery care to promote equity and engage effectively with tangata whenua.
3. Apply critical thinking, reflection, analysis and professional judgment to practice evidence-based midwifery in a changing environment.  
4. Demonstrate autonomy across the midwifery scope to protect and facilitate the physiological processes that support wellbeing in pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period.
5. Recognise and respond to complications, complex and emergency situations during midwifery care in collaboration with other health professionals.
6. Apply principles of sustainability, ethics, socio-cultural responsibility and leadership to address challenges within their communities.
7. Practice culturally and clinically competent midwifery care that upholds Tūranga Kaupapa principles.
8. Apply concepts of identity and culture, and social determinants of health, to provide culturally competent care that acknowledges the diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand.
9. Build and maintain respectful and effective relationships with health professionals and hapori within the maternity context.

Graduates may pathway to postgraduate study in the midwifery discipline.

Academic admission
To be admitted to this programme, applicants must have:
University Entrance as defined by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
In addition, Midwifery Council also requires that applicants have NCEA level 3 consisting of:
* 60 credits at level 3 or higher including:
o a minimum of 18 credits in biology, chemistry or physics
o a minimum of 16 credits in an English language rich subject (such as English, history, art history, classics, geography or economics, media studies)
o a further 16 credits at level 3 or higher in two approved subjects or domains on the National Qualifications Framework
* 20 credits at level 2, including:
o a minimum of 16 credits in biology
o and a further 16 credits in chemistry or physics
o 16 credits in another level 2 subject
For examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), applications will be assessed for academic entry equivalency.
OR
Successfully completed a relevant foundation or bridging qualification at level 4 or above.
OR
A recognised equivalent.
Special and Discretionary admission
Special admission is available for this degree. Applicants who are over 20 years must have evidence of academic equivalence of the above (academic admission); or demonstrated evidence of ability to study successfully at degree level, as required by Midwifery Council.
Discretionary admission is not available for this degree. Applicants who are under 20 years must meet the academic admission criteria as listed above, as required by Midwifery Council.
Programme specific admission
In addition, applicants must also meet the following programme specific requirements:
Prior to enrolment (at time of application):
* A self-declaration, providing information regarding:
o criminal convictions.
Applicants are required to indicate whether they have been convicted of, or have been prosecuted for, a criminal offence. Under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 some types of criminal conviction may result in the Midwifery Council refusing to register a person as a midwife.
o mental and physical conditions.
Applicants are required to indicate if they have had any mental and/or physical conditions, to demonstrate that they are fit for practice as a midwife. Under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 some types of physical or mental conditions may result in the Midwifery Council being unable to register a person as a midwife. A medical report may also be requested, where evidence of good health is required, as per Midwifery Council requirements.
o Personal statement, which demonstrates communication skills and self-responsibility in relation to their learning and practice, as required by Midwifery Council.
o an indication of whether they hold a driver's license, and if not whether they have access to reliable transport.
This programme has travel requirements associated with clinical placement; it is therefore recommended that applicants have a driver's license to support them with meeting the programme clinical placement requirements.
* At least two written references.
The reference is required to demonstrate the applicant has good character and that the applicant is sufficient for safe and effective practice as a midwife, as required by the Children's Act 2014.
Referees will ideally be provided by an academic in a leadership or tutorial position/teacher/lecturer, and an employment/professional/volunteer-based referee. Referees may not be a family member, partner or flatmate.
* Registered health practitioners from other disciplines who seek Recognition of Prior Knowledge and Skills (RPKS) on the basis of their health professional qualification and practice experience must hold registration with the relevant regulatory authority in New Zealand and provide a Certificate of Good Standing from that authority.
* Provide evidence of achieved First Aid Certificate covering relevant NZQA standards or skills standards (e.g. 6401 and 6402).
Once ākonga are accepted onto the programme they are required to:
* Complete a safety check.
The safety check will be required to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Children's Act 2014. This may include, but is not limited to:
o Reference checks,
o Police check,
o A risk assessment.
Unsatisfactory results arising from the full safety checking process may result in the ākonga being declined entry or withdrawn from the programme of study.
During the programme (after commencement of study):
* Ākonga are required to:
o Declare any pending or new convictions arising during any stage throughout the entire enrolment period of the programme. A conviction or failure to declare a conviction may result in the ākonga being immediately withdrawn from the programme.
* Ākonga will be required to:
o Provide evidence of immunisation status to secure clinical practice experiences, which may be required by clinical placement providers.