COVID-19

2 April 2020

Current IPCs expire on 31 March 2021

Current Interim Practising Certificates (IPC) expire on 31 March 2021. Thank you for stepping forward last year and making the move to assist with the Covid-19 response.

If you are still practising using your current IPC and intend to continue to practise for the COVID-19 pandemic, we can move this to an annual practising certificate (APC) with the same COVID-19 condition. The normal fees will apply but if you are in employment this is generally reimbursed by your employer. Please contact us on 04 385 9589 or [email protected] for details of how to apply.

If you have practised outside the COVID-19 pandemic response within the last five years you may wish to apply for an APC without the COVID-19 condition. Please contact us on 04 385 9589 or [email protected] and we will assess your eligibility.

Please note that the Ministry of Health is managing the vaccination programme for COVID-19. They have indicated they are seeking interest from nurses who have practised within the last 5 years. If you are interested, please register here: COVID-19 Surge Workforce database.

Ngā mihi nui

Catherine Byrne
Chief Executive/Registrar
Nursing Council of New Zealand

COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunisation Programme

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement earlier this week about the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, the Ministry of Health is encouraging all registered nurses with an APC to complete a Provisional Vaccinator Foundation Course
If you are interested in being a part of a vaccinator workforce, we encourage you to register your interest via the COVID-19 Surge Workforce database.
If you do not hold a current APC but would like to register your interest with the Ministry of Health about being on their surge workforce database you can also apply on the link above. Read more

Current office working arrangements

The Council continues to make operational changes during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that we remain connected and regulate nurses effectively. We remain open to answer calls and e-mails however our office will be closed to visitors for the time being.  If you would like to contact us, please phone us on 04 385 9589, or email [email protected]
If you would like to visit us over an urgent matter please phone 04 385 9589 and we will schedule an appointment with you.

Interim Practising Certificates (IPC) extended to 31 March 2021

We’d like to thank all nurses who returned to assist during the COVID-19 pandemic and were issued an IPC that was due to expire on 31 December 2020.
Your IPC has now been extended until 31 March 2021
so any who wish to continue to assist in the response to COVID-19 can do so. Read more

Update April 2020

The critical importance of nurses has been brought sharply into focus by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Interim Practising Certificate for the COVID-19 Pandemic

The condition for an Interim Practising Certificate for the COVID-19 pandemic is as follows: • Restricted practice for duration of COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Message to Prescribers from PHARMAC

Tēnā koutou katoa, These are difficult times and we are working and communicating with community organisations and all health professionals, to ensure whānau are able to access the medicines they need and to ensure there is a continuity of supply of medicines. Read more

Nursing Council Advice to Nurses Responding to COVID-19

The Council recognises that nurses will most likely face challenging circumstances as health services respond to COVID–19. Read more

Returning to Nursing during COVID-19 Pandemic

Tenā koutou katoa,
The COVID-19 pandemic situation in New Zealand continues to evolve. The Ministry of Health is seeking assistance from nurses who have a lapsed APC and may like to return to nursing for a limited time to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Nursing Council Office Closure

The Nursing Council Office will temporarily close from Wednesday 25 March 2020. This aligns with the escalation of the COVID Pandemic alert to level 4. We can be contacted using thescontact detailsRead more