Today’s announcement in funding to boost primary care nursing is a well-deserved and much-needed investment in the sector. This initiative will help strengthen the workforce, improve access to care, and support the communities that rely on us.
Nurses and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are essential in primary care, and this funding will expand their role even further. The government has committed:
- $34.2 million over five years to fund 120 nurse practitioner training places in primary care each year from 2026.
- $21.6 million over four years to accelerate advanced tertiary education for up to 120 primary care registered nurses annually.
This investment recognises the essential role nurses play in primary care. By increasing their skills and qualifications, patients will get the care they need sooner, and pressure on doctors will ease.
Of course, there are still challenges to address. Retaining nurses in primary care will remain difficult unless the pay gap between them and Te Whatu Ora-employed nurses is tackled. There’s also understandable concern among general practice owners about long-term funding for these additional roles, particularly ensuring nurses don’t complete their training in general practice only to move into better-paid roles elsewhere once qualified.
To make this investment as effective as possible, training placements should be prioritised in the areas of greatest need — particularly rural and high-needs communities. These placements provide not only the biggest challenges but also the richest experiences for trainee Nurse Practitioners, which can inspire them to stay and serve where they’re most needed.
It’s also important to reassure our colleagues that Nurse Practitioners don’t replace GPs — they work alongside them. NPs undergo extensive training at a master’s degree level, can diagnose conditions, prescribe medicines, and develop treatment plans. They are highly skilled professionals who play a vital role in primary care and the wider community.
This is another positive step toward addressing primary care’s workforce challenges, and we welcome it. But there’s still more to do. We look forward to seeing further investment to ensure a sustainable, well-supported primary care workforce for the future.
