Practice kaimahi education and scholarship opportunities
The recent Workforce Survey highlighted the desire for practice kaimahi to have a greater awareness of pathways in education, and scholarship opportunities, available to support their journey. These resources, collated from a variety of sources, relate to different roles within general practice.
These resources, collated from a variety of sources, relate to different roles within general practice.
The recent Workforce Survey highlighted the desire for practice kaimahi to have a greater awareness of pathways in education, and scholarship opportunities, available to support their journey.
These links will be updated at intervals throughout the year, but are not exhaustive. If you are aware of additional links that could be added to this page, please feel free to contact Leanne Ryan, Workforce Development Manager, (details below).
Opportunities
Manaaki Tāngata certificate in bicultural social services
This qualification will help you with a career in social services, improving people's lives and changing your community. Manaaki Tāngata is a great place to start if you're wanting an introductory qualification to help you understand diverse communities and working in whānau-centred social services.
New Zealand certificate in health and wellbeing (Level 3)
If you’re looking to pave the way for a career in healthcare, succeed by upskilling with NZSE’s NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3).
New Zealand certificate in health and wellbeing (Level 4) peer support
The apprenticeship in peer support is designed to provide specific skills, knowledge and attributes to support people, family and whānau with their aspirations as a peer support worker. The underpinning philosophy of the programme is to build a person-centred, critical thinking workforce.
New Zealand certificate in health and wellbeing - social and community services (Level 4)
This one-year health and wellbeing course will provide students with the foundation knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to work alongside individuals, families, and whānau accessing social and community services. Students gain a wide range of transferable skills essential to the role of a support worker and select from one of the following strands to further strengthen their learning.
Primary care practice assistance 4 (Te Mahi Āwhina Tuatahi 4)
This programme is designed for those who are interested in developing a career in health and wellbeing; supporting people, families/whānau, and the healthcare team in a primary care practice.
Students will work in healthcare teams under the direction and delegation of a registered health professional and be able to assist general practitioners, registered nurses, and management in the day-to-day operation of a primary care practice.
New Zealand certificate in health and wellbeing (Level 3) health assistance strand
This qualification is aimed at recognising the skills and knowledge required to provide person-centred support in the health and wellbeing sectors. The programme aims to develop the skills and knowledge required to provide care under the direction and delegation of a health professional in a range of contexts including aged residential, acute, primary and rehabilitative care.
New Zealand certificate in health and wellbeing - support work (Level 3)
This qualification will give you the skills and knowledge required to provide a person-centred approach that maximises independence, work with limited supervision under the guidance of your organisation and implement personal plans.
New Zealand certificate in health and wellbeing - social and community services (Level 4)
This one-year health and wellbeing course will provide students with the foundation knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to work alongside individuals, families, and whānau accessing social and community services.
Advanced care leadership and mentoring
Free online course
As advanced practitioners, you will be expected to take on leadership and mentoring roles in health or wellbeing settings. In this online course you will apply the principles, skills and qualities needed to lead client support and mentoring or coaching in a health or wellbeing setting.
Coaching - A leadership skill
Find out how to get the best from individuals and teams and help them to realise their true potential and purpose. You will learn how to structure coaching sessions around motivation, achievement, solutions and action planning. Coaching requires you to have skills that allow you to analyse ways to improve performance, plan mutually acceptable actions, create a supportive and helpful climate, and influence employees to change behaviour in positive ways.
Apprenticeship in community health work (Level 4)
This apprenticeship programme leads to the awarding of the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) (Social and Community Services) with a strand in Community Health Work qualification. It is well-supported and resourced with a team of Apprenticeship Advisors providing pastoral care and support.
Apprenticeship in whānau, community and social services (Level 4)
This apprenticeship programme leads to the awarding of the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) (Social and Community Services) with a strand in Whānau, Community and Social Services qualification. It is well-supported and resourced with a team of Apprenticeship Advisors providing pastoral care and support.
Apprenticeship in mental health and addiction support (Level 4)
This apprenticeship programme leads to the awarding of the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) (Social and Community Services) Mental Health and Addiction Support strand qualification. It is well-supported and resourced with a team of Apprenticeship Advisors providing pastoral care and support.
Certificate in Rongoā
Become a kaitiaki of our rongoā Māori and connect with the mātauranga (knowledge) of our tūpuna (ancestors) to address the wellness needs of today.
Learn about the customs and protocols that surround rongoā as you develop an understanding of the Māori world view. Be part of the revival of traditional and contemporary rongoā practices in Aotearoa, and gain insight and learn to know, appreciate, and respect rongoā but not yet use it or advise others on how to use it - that will take further study.
Health literacy – Health coach resources
Free resources
Linkedin Learning – free courses
8 courses to help leaders clearly communicate and influence positive change in times of crisis
The number of leaders (professionals Director-level and above) taking a course on LinkedIn Learning has increased 41% faster month-over-month than all other seniority levels. Leaders around the world are turning to online learning to cultivate the communication, leadership, and management skills they need to lead teams through this uncertain time. Dive into these courses free through June 30 helping leaders learn.
6 courses to help you manage stress and build mindfulness into your 'new normal'
To help professionals get the support they need, these six free courses through June 30 on mindfulness and stress management to help you build up your self-care toolbox—global pandemic or not.
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
Te Pōkaitahi Tikanga (Māori development) (Kaupae 3)
A free online 20-week course, in tikanga. This qualification is for people who want to develop some understanding of tikanga (plural) within a specialist field founded on a Māori world view.
New Zealand certificate in health and wellbeing Level 2
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi also supports students right from level 2 (and 3 and 4) into health careers, and has pathways similar to Trades Academy. The purpose of this qualification is to recognise the entry-level skills and knowledge required to provide person-centred support in the health and wellbeing sectors, and to provide a training pathway for entry into careers in the health and wellbeing sectors. This qualification is targeted at entrants into the health and wellbeing sectors, including those re-entering the workforce. It provides foundation skills to ensure that workers are safe to work at an entry level in a health or wellbeing setting. The graduates will benefit by gaining recognition of the transferrable skills and knowledge valued in the health and wellbeing sectors.
Te Wananga o Aotearoa
Home-based learning
Home-based learning offers a range of courses that you can take as part of a work and community group or as an individual from the comfort of your own home.
Hauora - health and fitness
Hauora programmes are not just about wellbeing, health and fitness. Woven into the teachings are traditional pearls of wisdom, passed down from our tūpuna.
Manaaki Tāngata - certificate in bicultural social services
This qualification will help you with a career in social services, improving people's lives and changing your community. Manaaki Tāngata is a great place to start if you're wanting an introductory qualification to help you understand diverse communities and working in whānau-centred social services.
Te Rau Ora
Whānau and community health initiatives
The aim of this micro-credential is to provide an opportunity for whānau, and stakeholders interested in kaupapa Māori community health development.
Inspiring Communities
Inspiring Communities facilitators will support you through the process of validating your knowledge and experience to prepare a portfolio of your community-led work. This micro-credential requires critical reflection, using a case study from your current practice to identify and apply the competencies involved. This is more than just something to add to your resume. This is self-directed learning, but Inspiring Communities facilitators will support you through the process of developing your practice.
Careerforce
Support people to live a good life, and reflect on your own practice (Level 4)
This micro-credential is designed to provide the skills and knowledge required to support a person with a disability in a health or wellbeing setting. It is also designed to support outcomes that enable them to live a good life in Aotearoa New Zealand, and for the support worker to reflect on their own practice.
Respond to people who are vulnerable due to social issues, condition or impairment in a health or wellbeing context (Level 4)
This micro-credential is designed to provide the skills and knowledge required to respond to people who are vulnerable due to social issues, condition or impairment in the health or wellbeing context in Aotearoa New Zealand, by applying the principles of enabling good lives.
New Zealand certificate in health and wellbeing (Level 3) health assistance strand
This qualification is aimed at recognising the skills and knowledge required to provide person-centred support in the health and wellbeing sectors. The programme aims to develop the skills and knowledge required to provide care under the direction and delegation of a health professional in a range of contexts including aged residential, acute, primary and rehabilitative care.
Suicide prevention in Aotearoa (Level 4)
This micro-credential is designed to recognise the skills and knowledge required to develop knowledge and understanding of suicide prevention in an Aotearoa New Zealand context.
New Zealand certificate in health and wellbeing (Health Assistance) for hospitals and the health sector
The aim of this programme is to develop and recognise the skills of healthcare assistants to provide person-centred support to patients. This flexible work-based training programme is designed to be delivered across various clinical areas including maternity, mental health, acute care and outpatient clinics.
Supporting a person’s mental health and addiction wellbeing (Level 4)
This short programme is for support workers who are working in other parts of the community and are likely to be working with people with mental distress or addictions.
De-escalation skills and techniques for the health and wellbeing sector (Level 4)
This micro-credential is designed to provide de-escalation skills and techniques for people working in mental health and addiction support settings.
The OpenPolytech Te Pūkenga
New Zealand certificate in business - administration and technology (level 3)
This qualification will provide you with the business administration and technology skills to work in a range of supervised general office administration roles and will enable you to operate business technologies and perform a range of administrative tasks, in accordance with ngā kaupapa o te Tiriti o Waitangi (the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi), and in a multi-cultural environment.
Wintec Te Pūkenga
New Zealand certificate in business - introduction to team leadership (level 3)
This programme is for newly appointed team leaders, or for those who have the potential to lead teams in the future. It is designed for those who are currently employed or have access to an organisation. Graduates will have the skills to effectively lead a team.
New Zealand certificate in business - first line management (Level 4)
This programme will help develop the knowledge and skills required to work in first line management and leadership roles. Students will gain skills in effective team management in a multi-cultural environment.
National Breastfeeding Alliance
Te Pā Harakeke | Nurturing care in the first 1000 days
This webinar will describe the current situation from the voice of the pēpi, provide an overview of the evidence for nurturing care in the First 1000 Days and discuss key recommendations to improve pēpi and whānau outcomes.
Communicating with Māori in a health setting
New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance (equates to 30 - 40 minutes education).
Te Tiriti/Kawa Whakaruruhau resources
- Network Waitangi Ōtautahi
- New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance - Cultural Safety Training Plan for Vocational Medicine in Aotearoa
- New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance - Maranga Mai
- New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance - Returning to our unsettled dust: Non Māori systems, policies and people impact on Māori health outcomes and how this affects breastfeeding
- Kirwan Institute: Implicit Bias Module Series
- New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance - Te Tiriti o Waitangi-based practice in health promotion
Collaborative Aotearoa
Ruku ki te ako
Hauora Taiwhenua mobile health scholarship
Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network have the availability of three Rural Student Research Scholarships for the 2023/24 year. Two of the Scholarships are open to any health students, to support a 12-week elective/studentship, and/or research placement within a rural community of the student’s choice.
Kai Tahu Iwi scholarships
Kā Pūtea Scholarships are available to registered Ngāi Tahu members who are currently enroled and studying in their second or subsequent year towards a NZQA recognised tertiary qualification or an international equivalent. The scholarships aim to support higher learning and help students connect with their Ngāi Tahutanga.
Ngāti Porou Iwi scholarships
Toitu Ngati Porou is offering sponsorship and grants to support nga uri o Ngati Porou who are engaged in cultural and sporting activities. The goal of the sponsorship grant sponsorship and grants program is to provide assistance for nga uri o Ngati Porou individuals and groups to celebrate and achieve their culture and sporting goals.
Nursing post grad
Tapuhi Kaitiaki awards
Pharmac, in conjunction with Te Poari o Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa/New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO), established the Tapuhi Kaitiaki Awards in recognition of the positive impact Māori nurses have on whānau and the role they play as key influencers on health outcomes.
New Zealand nurses organisation
The Nursing Education and Research Foundation (NERF) and NZNO offer NZNO members a range of scholarships and grants. These grants are funded from various trusts including the Gretta and Harry Hamblin Trust and the McCutchan Trust. NZNO also administers a range of other NZNO local and national grants. NERF's mission is to promote excellence in nursing and health care by providing funding opportunities for education and research.
Sir Āpirana Ngata memorial scholarship
Many owners and trustees of whenua Māori are committed to educating the next generation, as well as supporting kaumātua and Māori communities. They may decide to use some or all of the income from their whenua to fund grants for kaumātua or scholarships for owners or their whānau, for such things as a contribution towards textbooks or course fees.
Māori education trust list of postgraduate scholarships
Postgraduate scholarships are now available on the application portal for students who are enrolled for the full academic year at a tertiary institution! You can go through each of the scholarship's criteria to determine what you will qualify for. If you need assistance at all, please do not hesitate to contact us for support.
PG medical scholarship (rural)
University of Otago academic general practitioner registrar PhD scholarship
The University of Otago Academic General Practitioner Registrar PhD Scholarship was created to support the sustainability and development of the Primary Health Care and General Practice academic discipline. The scholarship aims to help establish research capability among a new generation of General Practitioners by supporting the achievement of a Doctoral degree (PhD) at the University of Otago as well as vocational registration as a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP).
University of Auckland scholarship in general practice
A scholarship of up to $10,000 to support New Zealand citizen or permanent resident undertaking postgraduate research in the Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care.
Pharmac & Te ORA medical student awards
Te Ora will invite mentors, colleagues, and peers to nominate a student for an award. Students can be nominated to receive an award in the two award categories. The successful students will be presented with their award at the Te ORA Hui-a-Tau by Pharmac and Te ORA representatives each year. Recipients of the awards will be awarded an educational grant to encourage excellence in research and leadership. Excellence in Research and Excellence in Leadership contact teora@teora.maori.nz.
Pacific Health Scholarships
Te Whatu Ora
Te Whatu Ora Pacific Health Scholarships support the development of our Pacific health and disability workforce. The Scholarships contribute to tuition fees for eligible students of indigenous Pacific Islands descent undertaking a course in medical and health or disability-related studies, accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
Le Va
Applications are now closed for Le Va’s 2024 Futures that Work Pacific Mental Health and Addiction Scholarships and our new Addiction and Problem Gambling Harm Scholarships.
Growing the size and skills of the mental health and addiction workforce takes more than just financial support. It’s also a combination of providing appropriate mentoring, coaching, cultural and pastoral care, as well as support in identifying employment and career pathways. The Futures that Work Pacific Mental Health and Addiction Scholarship programme is open to those of Indigenous-Pacific descent, currently enrolled in an NZQA accredited mental health-related qualification.
Physio scholarships
Wintec | Te Pūkenga physiotherapy scholarship
The Wintec Te Pūkenga physiotherapy scholarships have been established to assist Māori and Pacific ākonga in undertaking full-time study in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Wintec | Te Pūkenga. The scholarship is awarded based on academic merit, character, and cultural and community life.
Physiotherapy New Zealand - scholarship trust fund and ml roberts prize
The Scholarship Trust Fund is the funding source administered by Physiotherapy New Zealand (PNZ). The Scholarship Trust Fund was established in 1980 to promote, encourage and assist members carry out physiotherapy research and contribute to physiotherapy education in New Zealand. The committee meets annually to consider applications to the fund and decide on allocations of funding.
Dame Te Atairangikaahu nursing scholarship
The Dame Te Ātairangikaahu Nursing Scholarships were established in 2006 by Wintec at Tūrangawaewae on the occasion of the conferment of the Wintec Honorary Fellowship to Dame Te Ātairangikaahu. The first scholarship was awarded in 2007.
Pinnacle Nursing Scholarship
As part of our commitment to supporting professional development and service improvement within the network, Pinnacle offers a $10k annual scholarship to award to a nurse with ideas to improve equity or access issues in primary care. Updated information about the 2024 scholarship requirements will be shared soon.
Manatu Hauora
The Hauora Māori Training supports the unregulated workforce to complete certificate, diploma and graduate diploma study at levels 3-6.
New Zealand Health Group
New Zealand Health Group believe in putting equity into action particularly when it comes to health and wellness in Aotearoa New Zealand. New Zealand Health Group want to enable more Māori to thrive in health related mahi, especially decision-making roles across the health sector: so to put our beliefs into action, we are offering our Māori Health Leadership Scholarship for the third year running.
Allied Health
Ngā Pou Mana
Ngā Pou Mana have established yearly scholarships in collaboration with PHARMAC that are provided to kaimahi and/or tauira Māori who are in study, and/or those who have had a positive impact on their whānau, hapū, iwi or communities. The awards are to support Māori allied health workforce development, so that people can continue study and to grow professional and cultural practice. The awards will provide much needed tautoko and manaaki for Māori kaimahi and students to continue their ongoing development.
Ngā Taonga Mātauranga o Ngā Pou Mana Awards (NPM and PHARMAC)
Ngā Pou Mana Tangata Whenua Allied Health (NPM) in association with Te Pātaka Whaioranga (Pharmac) established the “Ngā Taonga Mātauranga o Ngā Pou Mana Awards” in recognition of the positive impact kaimahi Māori have on whānau, hapū and Iwi.
The awards are to support Māori allied health workforce development, to continue studies and to grow professional and cultural practice. The awards will provide tautoko and manaaki for kaimahi to continue their ongoing development. The awards will be run annually and will be presented at the Ngā Pou Mana Hui-ā-Tau each year.
Pharmacy scholarships
Hiwinui Heke scholarship
The scholarship is named in honour of Hiwinui Heke MPS (1930–2014). Born at Ranana, Te Ngae, Rotorua in 1930. Matua Heke had iwi affiliations throughout Te Arawa. Educated in Rotorua, Hiwinui took up an apprenticeship with Hiskins Pharmacy in Taumarunui and enrolled at the Pharmacy College, Wellington (Cambridge Terrace). He qualified, becoming a member of the NZ Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) in 1955, the first Māori to do so. Matua Heke’s endurance, patience and pharmaceutical longevity, along with his leadership of Māori in the profession, inspired many.
University of Waikato scholarships
External funding closing in October 2024.
Full list of training provider scholarships available
See the below links for a full list of scholarships available through training providers.
- Te Pou.
- Wintec Te Pūkenga.
- EIT Te Pūkenga.
- WITT Te Pūkenga.
- University of Waikato.
- University of Auckland.
- Toi Ohomai Te Pūkenga.
- Health Research Council NZ.
- NZ Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD).
- NZ College of Public Health Medicine.
- Royal Australasian College of Physicians- Indigenous health scholarship programme.
- Te Rau Ora.
- University of Otago (Masters).
You'll also find a PDF copy of these links in the files and links section below.
Do you have links or resources to add?
Health Workforce Development Manager