Midwife
On this page
- What's it like to be a Midwife?
- How to become a Midwife
- Latest Midwife jobs
- Top skills and experience for Midwives
- Midwife role reviews
What's it like to be a Midwife?
A Midwife (Tahuhi-ā-Whare) is a health professional who works with pregnant women and their whānau to provide maternity care. They support mothers-to-be through the physical and emotional journey of pregnancy. Midwives organise ultrasounds, blood tests and other medical screenings. They also care for women during labour, birth and the immediate weeks after. Midwives may work in hospital settings, birthing centres or in the community as independent midwives.
Tasks and duties
- Providing antenatal care, assessments and information to pregnant women and their partners throughout pregnancy.
- Monitoring, supporting and assisting women during labour and birth and helping to deliver the baby.
- Providing health advice to help parents care for newborns.
How to become a Midwife
To become a Midwife in New Zealand, you need to complete a degree in midwifery and gain registration with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand, Te Tatau o te Whare Kahu.
Complete a Bachelor of Midwifery with an accredited university or polytechnic. This usually takes three to four years of full-time study.
Apply to the Midwifery Council to become registered and pass the National Midwifery Examination set by the council.
Apply for a practising certificate. This needs to be renewed annually.
