Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship Programme Launches at Whitireia

A new partnership between Whitireia and WelTec and the Southern Cross Health Trust is offering nursing ākonga (students) in the Wellington region unparalleled support during their studies and clinical placements.

Launched 22 September 2025, the Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship is offering nine scholarships to Whitireia and WelTec ākonga for the 2026 academic year, as well as covering the cost of clinical uniforms and footwear for all first-year nursing students.

Carmel Haggerty, Head of School of Health at Whitireia and WelTec, says the scholarship will help break down barriers for ākonga to enter and complete their nursing studies.

“The scholarship programme is an incredible opportunity for our nursing ākonga. Financial pressures are one of the biggest challenges they face, and with this support, they can focus on becoming the skilled, compassionate nurses our communities need,” says Haggerty.

Whitireia and WelTec is the only tertiary provider in Aotearoa New Zealand where the Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship is available across three distinct nursing degrees – the Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Māori, and Bachelor of Nursing Pacific.

Of the nine scholarships Southern Cross Health Trust is funding at Whitireia and WelTec in 2026, three will be offered in each nursing programme. One scholarship will support a first-year student for three years, one will support a second-year student for two years, and one will support a third-year student for their final year of study.

Each nursing programme at Whitireia and WelTec is grounded in its own cultural lens, preparing ākonga with both clinical expertise and the ability to deliver care in ways that resonate with their communities. Having scholarships available across all three programmes ensures the nursing workforce benefits from a rich diversity of perspectives and approaches to care.

Jeanette Grace, Dean Te Wānanga Māori at Whitireia and WelTec, says the scholarship support will have a powerful impact for ākonga Māori and their whānau.

“Our ākonga bring with them te ao Māori values, knowledge, and ways of caring that are vital for improving Māori health outcomes. These scholarships will help remove barriers so our ākonga can stay focused on their studies and graduate as confident nurses who are ready to serve their communities,” says Grace.

[Ākonga TBC], who is studying towards his/her Bachelor of Nursing Pacific at Whitireia and WelTec, says he/she is excited about the chance to apply for the scholarship.

“I’m really looking forward to applying for the scholarship. Knowing that this support is available motivates me even more to succeed in my studies and, in the future, to give back to my Pacific community as a nurse,” says [Ākonga].

Recipients will get $500 per week while on clinical placement, a $5,000 contribution towards course fees each year as well as $500 per year for general health and wellbeing. The Nursing Council of New Zealand state exam, taken to become registered nurses, will also be paid for in the final year of study.

In addition, all 2026 nursing ākonga at each of the partner nursing schools will also 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 ongoing commitment to New Zealand’s nurses.

“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.

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

“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 open 22 September 2025 and close in November. Further details, including eligibility criteria and application forms, are available here.