Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship Programme Launches at the University of Waikato

The Southern Cross Health Trust is calling for applications for its Nursing Scholarship Programme, aimed at supporting student nurses and contributing to the future of healthcare in New Zealand.

A new partnership between the University of Waikato and the Southern Cross Health Trust is offering student nurses unparalleled support during their studies and clinical placements.

Launched today, the Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship is offering nine scholarships to University of Waikato students for the 2026 academic year and will cover the cost of uniforms and footwear for every first-year nursing student to the value of $300 each.

Dr Ange Stewart, Acting Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Waikato, says she and the team are thrilled that Waikato nursing students will receive this generous support.

“Our students are preparing for meaningful careers within New Zealand’s healthcare workforce and are motivated to provide exceptional and culturally responsive care,” she says.

“These scholarships are thoughtfully designed to align with the needs of our students and will help to ensure they can get the most out of their studies.”

Scholarships for the 2026 academic year will be awarded to three students in each year level of the three-year Bachelor of Nursing programme.

Recipients will get $5,000 towards tuition fees each year plus another $5,000 in cash to support their mental, physical and financial health and wellbeing during study and clinical placements. It is also intended to cover the cost of the Nursing Council examination fee for third-year recipients.

In addition, other 2026 nursing students at the University of Waikato will be eligible for a funded flu vaccine courtesy of Southern Cross Wellness Partners.

Beyond financial assistance, scholarship recipients will receive priority clinical placements in Southern Cross hospitals, and a mentorship with a Southern Cross Healthcare nurse.

Southern Cross Healthcare Chief Nursing Officer Monica Goldwater says the programme reflects the organisation’s commitment to building New Zealand’s nursing workforce.

“We know that highly skilled, supported nurses are at the heart of great healthcare,” she says.

“Through these scholarships, we’re investing in the ongoing education and development of our nurses, and in doing so, we’re helping ensure New Zealanders can continue to access exceptional care now and into the future.”

The Southern Cross Health Trust established the Nursing Scholarship Programme together with Auckland University of Technology (AUT), with 17 scholarships awarded in 2025. Now in its second year, funding has been increased to offer scholarships at a further five tertiary providers across Aotearoa in 2026.

The expanded programme will see more than 50 scholarships awarded across the country, as well as covering the cost of shoes and uniforms for all first-year nursing students at AUT, University of Waikato, Western Institute of Technology, Whitireia – WelTec, Ara – Institute of Canterbury and Southland Institute of Technology (SIT).

Overall, the Southern Cross Health Trust is investing more than $1m into supporting New Zealand nursing students next year through the Nursing Scholarship Programme.

Southern Cross Health Trust and Southern Cross Healthcare CEO Chris White says the organisation is proud to be growing its investment in the future nursing workforce.

“Increasing the number of scholarships and geographical spread of the programme reflects our commitment to supporting New Zealand’s future nursing workforce.”

Applications for the 2026 Nursing Scholarship Programme are open for current students until 31 October 2025 and to students set to join the programme in early November. Further details, including eligibility criteria and application forms, are available here