{"id":41621,"date":"2026-04-26T21:46:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T21:46:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/?p=41621"},"modified":"2026-05-21T16:57:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T16:57:56","slug":"nursing-council-of-new-zealand-professional-standards-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/nursing-council-of-new-zealand-professional-standards-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Nursing Council of New Zealand Professional Standards 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"41621\" class=\"elementor elementor-41621\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d00b3c2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d00b3c2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ee43ee elementor-widget 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*\/\r\n.hec-sources{background:#f8f9fb;border:1px solid #dde5e3;border-radius:6px;padding:22px 26px;margin:30px 0}\r\n.hec-sources-label{font-size:12px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.8px;color:#5a6c7d;margin-bottom:12px;display:block}\r\n.hec-sources p{font-size:15px;color:#5a6c7d;margin-bottom:14px;line-height:1.7}\r\n.hec-sources ul{margin:0 0 0 18px;line-height:1.9}\r\n.hec-sources li{margin-bottom:6px;color:#5a6c7d;font-size:15px}\r\n.hec-sources a{color:#0a2a5c;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:500}\r\n.hec-sources a:hover{color:#c8102e}\r\n\r\n\/* Mobile *\/\r\n@media(max-width:768px){\r\n.hec-article-title{padding:32px 20px 28px}\r\n.hec-article-title h1{font-size:22px}\r\n.hec-wrapper h2{font-size:20px;margin:32px 0 12px}\r\n.hec-wrapper h3{font-size:18px}\r\n.hec-wrapper h4{font-size:16px}\r\n.hec-wrapper p{font-size:16px}\r\n.hec-wrapper li{font-size:16px}\r\n.hec-wrapper ul{margin-left:18px}\r\n.hec-cta-btn{display:block}\r\n}\r\n@media(max-width:480px){\r\n.hec-article-title h1{font-size:19px}\r\n.hec-wrapper h2{font-size:18px}\r\n.hec-wrapper h3{font-size:16px}\r\n.hec-wrapper p{font-size:15px}\r\n.hec-wrapper li{font-size:15px}\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-wrapper\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-article-title\">\r\n<h1>Nursing Council of New Zealand Professional Standards 2026: Your Registration Obligations Explained<\/h1>\r\n<div class=\"hec-meta\"><span>Updated for 2026<\/span>&middot;<span>NZ Nurse Regulatory Guide<\/span>&middot;<span>~12 min read<\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-intro-box\"><p><strong>The Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ), Te Kaunihera Tapuhi o Aotearoa, sets the professional standards every registered nurse and enrolled nurse must meet to practise in Aotearoa.<\/strong> Operating under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCAA), the Nursing Council defines scopes of practice, competencies, and the <strong>Code of Conduct for Nurses<\/strong> that guides daily clinical behaviour. With 2026 bringing intensified expectations around cultural safety, digital nursing, nurse wellbeing, and safe staffing advocacy, the practical importance of knowing and applying NCNZ standards has never been greater. This guide explains the core standards, your registration obligations, what is new in 2026, and how to remain confidently compliant across your nursing career.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n<h2>What Are the Nursing Council of New Zealand Professional Standards?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>The Nursing Council's professional standards are a comprehensive framework setting out what competent, ethical, and safe nursing practice looks like in Aotearoa. They include the <strong>Competencies for Registered Nurses<\/strong>, <strong>Competencies for Enrolled Nurses<\/strong>, <strong>Competencies for Nurse Practitioners<\/strong>, the <strong>Code of Conduct for Nurses<\/strong>, the <strong>Guidelines for Cultural Safety, the Treaty of Waitangi and M&#257;ori Health in Nursing Education and Practice<\/strong>, and a suite of related statements.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Together, these documents define what the Nursing Council expects of every registered nurse and enrolled nurse, from new graduates through to experienced clinicians, nurse practitioners, and nurse leaders. They are the benchmark against which complaints are assessed, competence is reviewed, and fitness to practise is determined. For a fuller view of how the Code of Conduct itself shapes daily behaviour, see our companion guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/what-does-the-nursing-council-of-new-zealand-code-of-conduct-require\/\">what does the Nursing Council of New Zealand Code of Conduct require<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Why the 2026 Standards Matter for Registered Nurses<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>Nursing practice in Aotearoa has evolved significantly, and the 2026 framework reflects that evolution. Cultural safety expectations have been strengthened and embedded more deeply across all NCNZ documents. Digital nursing (telehealth, e-records, connected devices, and remote patient monitoring) has created new contexts where professional standards apply. And the continuing post-pandemic workforce pressures have reinforced how central nurse wellbeing and professional sustainability are to safe care.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>For every registered nurse, these standards are not optional reading. They are the foundation on which your Annual Practising Certificate (APC), your scope of practice, and your entire registration rests. Ignorance of the standards is no protection in a fitness-to-practise matter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>The Core NCNZ Standards Every Nurse Must Know<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<h3>1. Respect the Dignity and Individuality of Health Consumers<\/h3>\r\n<p>The NCNZ Code of Conduct opens with the expectation that nurses treat every patient (health consumer) with dignity, respect, and responsiveness to their individual needs, preferences, and context.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>What this looks like in practice<\/h4>\r\n<p>Introducing yourself by name and role, asking how the patient prefers to be addressed, seeking permission before touch or procedure, and honouring cultural, spiritual, and personal preferences throughout care.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3>2. Respect the Cultural Needs and Values of Health Consumers<\/h3>\r\n<p>Cultural safety is not a standalone standard, it is embedded throughout the Code. Nurses must engage with Te Tiriti o Waitangi, recognise health inequities experienced by M&#257;ori, and provide responsive care to all cultural groups including Pasifika, Asian, refugee, migrant, and disability communities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3>3. Work in Partnership with Health Consumers<\/h3>\r\n<p>The Code frames nursing care as a partnership, not something done to patients, but with them. Shared decision-making, informed consent, patient and wh&#257;nau advocacy sit within this expectation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3>4. Maintain Health Consumer Trust Through Professional Behaviour<\/h3>\r\n<p>Trust is the foundation of nursing care. Standards address professional boundaries, honesty, confidentiality, and the responsibility not to bring the profession into disrepute, online or offline.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3>5. Respect Health Consumers' Right to Privacy and Confidentiality<\/h3>\r\n<p>Privacy obligations under the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020 sit alongside the Code's requirements. Confidentiality extends to conversations, records, digital systems, AI-assisted documentation tools, and team handovers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3>6. Work Respectfully with Colleagues<\/h3>\r\n<p>Multidisciplinary care depends on respectful professional relationships. The Code addresses bullying, harassment, constructive feedback, and safe escalation when concerns arise.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3>7. Act with Integrity<\/h3>\r\n<p>Honesty in records, medications administration, communication, and engagement with the NCNZ is an absolute standard. Dishonesty is treated as a fundamental breach and consistently attracts the most severe HPDT outcomes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3>8. Maintain Competence Within Scope of Practice<\/h3>\r\n<p>Nurses must practise within their registered scope and maintain the competence required for safe care. This includes recognising limits, seeking support, and completing ongoing CPD. For practical guidance on structuring this learning, see our resource on <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/professionalism-cpd-for-new-zealand-nurses-and-midwives\/\">professionalism CPD for New Zealand nurses and midwives<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>NCNZ Standards at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-table-wrap\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Standard Area<\/th>\r\n<th>Core Expectation for Registered Nurses<\/th>\r\n<th>2026 Emphasis<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Dignity &amp; individuality<\/strong><\/td><td>Every patient treated with respect and responsiveness to their needs<\/td><td>Inclusive language and patient preference<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Cultural safety<\/strong><\/td><td>Te Tiriti o Waitangi engagement; responsive practice across all communities<\/td><td>Continuing competence, not one-off training<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Partnership<\/strong><\/td><td>Shared decision-making; informed consent; patient and wh&#257;nau advocacy<\/td><td>Wh&#257;nau-centred care models<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Trust &amp; boundaries<\/strong><\/td><td>Clear therapeutic boundaries; safe digital conduct; professional integrity<\/td><td>Social media and digital messaging<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Privacy<\/strong><\/td><td>Privacy Act 2020 and HIPC 2020 compliance in all interactions<\/td><td>Cloud records and AI documentation safety<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Colleague respect<\/strong><\/td><td>Constructive teamwork; no bullying; safe escalation of concerns<\/td><td>Safe staffing advocacy as professional responsibility<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Integrity<\/strong><\/td><td>Honest records, administration, communication, regulator engagement<\/td><td>Open disclosure after adverse events<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Competence<\/strong><\/td><td>Practise within scope; maintain current knowledge; complete CPD<\/td><td>Ethics and wellbeing as core CPD domains<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-course-card\">\r\n<div class=\"hec-course-card-header\">\r\n<h3>NCNZ-Aligned Professionalism CPD for NZ Nurses &amp; Midwives<\/h3>\r\n<span class=\"hec-card-sub\">Online CPD aligned to the Code of Conduct and HPCAA<\/span>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"hec-course-card-body\">\r\n<ul class=\"hec-card-features\">\r\n<li><span class=\"hec-check\">&check;<\/span> Featured course: <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/courses\/ethics-and-ethical-standards-for-nurses-and-midwives\/\">Ethics and Ethical Standards for Nurses and Midwives<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><span class=\"hec-check\">&check;<\/span> Browse all: <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/ethics-professional-development-courses-nurses-midwives-new-zealand\/\">Ethics &amp; Professional Development Courses for Nurses &amp; Midwives in NZ<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><span class=\"hec-check\">&check;<\/span> Covers NCNZ Code of Conduct, competencies, cultural safety<\/li>\r\n<li><span class=\"hec-check\">&check;<\/span> 100% online, complete at your own pace<\/li>\r\n<li><span class=\"hec-check\">&check;<\/span> Suitable for CCF, recertification, and fitness-to-practise support<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<h2>The Continuing Competence Framework (CCF), What You Must Evidence<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>The NCNZ Continuing Competence Framework is the formal mechanism by which nurses demonstrate they remain competent across their careers. To maintain registration and your APC, you must evidence:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Practice hours,<\/strong> a minimum number of practice hours each three-year period<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Continuing education,<\/strong> documented, relevant learning activities<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Professional development activities,<\/strong> self-assessment against the competencies<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Cultural safety engagement,<\/strong> ongoing reflective engagement with Te Tiriti o Waitangi<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<p>For exact hours and specific requirements, always consult the current NCNZ recertification guidance, requirements can and do change. For step-by-step practical guidance on meeting these obligations, see our companion guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/how-to-meet-nursing-council-of-new-zealand-professionalism-standards\/\">how to meet Nursing Council of New Zealand professionalism standards<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>What's Particularly Emphasised in 2026<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>The 2026 landscape highlights several contemporary priorities:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Cultural safety as reflective practice,<\/strong> not a one-off course, but ongoing engagement with Te Tiriti and M&#257;ori health equity<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Digital nursing and telehealth,<\/strong> consent, documentation, and continuity across virtual and in-person care<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Nurse wellbeing,<\/strong> recognised as essential to safe practice, not an optional extra<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Safe staffing and workload advocacy,<\/strong> professional responsibility for raising concerns about unsafe conditions<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Expanded scopes,<\/strong> registered nurse prescribing, enrolled nurse contributions, nurse practitioner roles<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>AI-assisted documentation and decision support,<\/strong> understanding the limits of tools that support clinical reasoning<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-callout warning\"><span class=\"hec-callout-label\">Common NCNZ Compliance Pitfalls<\/span><p>Practice hours recorded but not evidenced; cultural safety treated as a one-off; documentation drift under workload pressure; boundary issues with long-term patients in community settings; CPD concentrated in clinical skills with no ethics or reflective practice.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n<h2>Consequences of Non-Compliance<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>Concerns about a nurse can come from patients, wh&#257;nau, colleagues, employers, the HDC, or the NCNZ itself. Depending on severity, matters may be resolved through education, conditions on practice, referral to a Professional Conduct Committee, or referral to the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (HPDT). Outcomes can include censure, suspension, or cancellation of registration. A documented CPD record in ethics, boundaries, and cultural safety consistently supports a proportionate outcome.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>A Realistic Look at the Standards in Action<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-scenario\">\r\n<span class=\"hec-scenario-label\">Illustrative Scenario<\/span>\r\n<p><strong>Situation:<\/strong> A registered nurse approaches the end of a three-year CCF cycle and is selected for routine NCNZ audit. The audit reviews practice hours, continuing education, self-assessment against competencies, and cultural safety engagement.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>What the Council looks for:<\/strong> Verifiable practice hours, balanced continuing education across clinical and non-clinical learning, honest self-assessment with identified development areas, and evidence of ongoing Te Tiriti o Waitangi engagement.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>The defensible nurse:<\/strong> A single organised digital folder with practice hour evidence, course certificates, self-assessment notes, and one or two reflective notes per topic including cultural safety. Audit is resolved quickly; APC continues without conditions.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>The vulnerable nurse:<\/strong> Practice hours estimated rather than evidenced, certificates scattered across emails, no self-assessment, clinical-only learning, no cultural safety reflection. The audit triggers requests for additional activity and conditions on the APC.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<h2>Practical Steps to Stay Compliant in 2026<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<h4>Track your practice hours as you go<\/h4>\r\n<p>Annual reminders prevent last-minute scrambles at three-year renewal. Calendar log entries are easier than reconstruction.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Keep a live CPD log<\/h4>\r\n<p>Record learning, reflection, and practice change as they happen. Memory fades within weeks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Balance your CPD across competencies<\/h4>\r\n<p>Include cultural safety, ethics, and reflective practice alongside clinical learning. A clinical-only record signals incomplete engagement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Audit your digital conduct annually<\/h4>\r\n<p>Social media behaviour is professional conduct under the NCNZ Code. Review public, archived, and tagged content yearly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Engage with Te Tiriti o Waitangi as reflective practice<\/h4>\r\n<p>Genuine engagement, not box-ticking. Document at least one cultural safety reflective activity each year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Raise safe-staffing concerns through proper channels<\/h4>\r\n<p>The Code expects nurses to advocate for safe conditions. Use clinical leadership, professional bodies, and union pathways appropriately.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Your Practical NCNZ Annual Compliance Checklist<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-checklist\">\r\n<span class=\"hec-checklist-title\">Do this each year to evidence NCNZ standards alignment<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Confirm your APC is current and renewal is diarised well ahead<\/li>\r\n<li>Track practice hours monthly in a single log, not at three-year audit time<\/li>\r\n<li>Review the NCNZ Code of Conduct and current competencies at the start of each practising year<\/li>\r\n<li>Plan CPD to cover all Code areas (dignity, cultural safety, partnership, trust, privacy, colleague respect, integrity, competence)<\/li>\r\n<li>Complete at least one Te Tiriti o Waitangi or cultural safety reflective activity<\/li>\r\n<li>Include at least one boundaries, ethics, or wellbeing activity in annual CPD<\/li>\r\n<li>Self-assess against the relevant competencies and document identified development areas<\/li>\r\n<li>Save certificates to a single organised digital CPD folder<\/li>\r\n<li>Write a 3 to 5 sentence reflective note per activity linking to one practice change<\/li>\r\n<li>If a concern is raised, seek qualified advice early from your indemnity provider, NZNO or relevant nursing organisation, or a healthcare-experienced lawyer<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-callout success\"><span class=\"hec-callout-label\">A High-Return Habit<\/span><p>Spend 15 minutes a week reflecting on one recent encounter with a Code-of-Conduct lens: dignity, cultural safety, partnership, trust, privacy, colleague respect, integrity. Over a year, this habit builds the strongest evidence of insight and engagement the NCNZ recognises.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-takeaways\">\r\n<h3>Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>NCNZ professional standards are the legal and ethical benchmark for every NZ registered and enrolled nurse<\/li>\r\n<li>The Code of Conduct, competencies, and cultural safety guidelines together form the full framework<\/li>\r\n<li>2026 emphasises cultural safety, digital nursing, wellbeing, safe staffing, expanded scopes, and AI-aware practice<\/li>\r\n<li>Compliance is evidenced through practice hours, CPD, self-assessment, and reflective engagement<\/li>\r\n<li>Non-compliance can lead to PCC investigation, HPDT proceedings, and conditions on registration<\/li>\r\n<li>Balanced CPD with strong reflection is the most reliable protection for your registration<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-section\">\r\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>What are the Nursing Council of New Zealand professional standards?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\"><p>They are the ethical, clinical, and behavioural expectations set by the Nursing Council under the HPCAA. They include the Code of Conduct, competencies for registered and enrolled nurses and nurse practitioners, and cultural safety guidelines.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/details>\r\n\r\n<details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>What is the Nursing Council Code of Conduct?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\"><p>The Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour expected of every registered and enrolled nurse in Aotearoa. It covers dignity, cultural safety, partnership, trust, privacy, colleague respect, integrity, and competence.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/details>\r\n\r\n<details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>What does the Continuing Competence Framework require?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\"><p>The CCF requires nurses to evidence practice hours, continuing education, self-assessment against competencies, and ongoing cultural safety engagement. Refer to current NCNZ recertification guidance for exact requirements.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/details>\r\n\r\n<details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>What happens if I am the subject of an NCNZ complaint?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\"><p>The Nursing Council assesses the concern and may resolve it through education, refer it to a Professional Conduct Committee, or escalate to the HPDT. Outcomes range from advice to cancellation of registration, with targeted CPD often recommended as part of remediation.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/details>\r\n\r\n<details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>Does online CPD count for NCNZ recertification?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\"><p>Yes. Verifiable online CPD that is documented, assessed, and relevant to your scope of practice counts towards NCNZ CCF requirements.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/details>\r\n\r\n<details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>What is new in the 2026 NCNZ framework?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\"><p>Stronger emphasis on cultural safety as continuing competence, digital nursing and telehealth, nurse wellbeing as fitness-to-practise foundation, safe staffing advocacy as professional responsibility, expanded scopes including nurse prescribing, and AI-aware practice. The foundations are unchanged but the application is intensifying.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/details>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-cta-box\">\r\n<h3>Meet NCNZ Standards with Confidence<\/h3>\r\n<p>Online CPD aligned to the Nursing Council Code of Conduct and Continuing Competence Framework. Self-paced, verifiable, with a certificate for your CCF portfolio.<\/p>\r\n<a class=\"hec-cta-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/ethics-professional-development-courses-nurses-midwives-new-zealand\/\">View NZ Nurse &amp; Midwife CPD &rarr;<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-sources\">\r\n<span class=\"hec-sources-label\">Authoritative External Sources for Further Reading<\/span>\r\n<p>For the most current and authoritative detail on the legislation, standards, and frameworks discussed in this article, refer directly to the publishers below:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nursingcouncil.org.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nursing Council of New Zealand (Te Kaunihera Tapuhi o Aotearoa)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.govt.nz\/act\/public\/2003\/0048\/latest\/DLM203312.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (legislation.govt.nz)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hdc.org.nz\/your-rights\/the-code-and-your-rights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights (HDC)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privacy.org.nz\/privacy-act-2020\/codes-of-practice\/hipc2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Health Information Privacy Code 2020 (Office of the Privacy Commissioner)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hpdt.org.nz\/decisions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, Published Decisions<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.midwiferycouncil.health.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Midwifery Council of New Zealand (Te Tatau o te Whare Kahu)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-callout muted\"><span class=\"hec-callout-label\">Important Disclaimer<\/span><p>This article is published by Healthcare Ethics Courses for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, clinical, or regulatory advice. Standards and recertification requirements are updated periodically. Always refer to current Nursing Council of New Zealand publications and seek qualified guidance from your indemnity provider, NZNO or relevant nursing organisation, or a suitably experienced lawyer for matters specific to your practice.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n{\r\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\r\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\r\n  \"mainEntity\": [\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n      \"name\": \"What are the Nursing Council of New Zealand professional standards?\",\r\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n        \"text\": \"They are the ethical, clinical, and behavioural expectations set by the Nursing Council under the HPCAA. 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