The Southern Cross Health Trust has formed a strategic partnership with Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to support nursing students through a new scholarship program.
This collaboration will award 17 scholarships to AUT nursing students in the 2025 academic year, while also providing vouchers worth approximately NZ$300 to all first-year nursing students –expected to be over 400 – to cover the costs of essential uniforms and shoes.
Monica Goldwater, chief nursing officer at Southern Cross Healthcare, highlighted the organisation’s dedication to fostering the education and professional development of nurses.
“Nurses play a crucial role in the healthcare system, but they are in short supply and high demand across the sector,” she said.
She explained that the scholarship program is designed to alleviate the financial pressures faced by nursing students, particularly during their clinical placements.
“Ultimately, we want to see more nursing students continue through to graduation and enter the workforce,” she said. “I am so excited about this programme and the positive impact it will have on aspiring nurses. Together with AUT, we are paving the way for a brighter future in healthcare.”
The scholarship program, funded by the Southern Cross Health Trust, includes five annual scholarships for each year of the three-year Bachelor of Nursing program, as well as two scholarships for Master of Nursing Science students.
The total value of these scholarships is estimated to be NZ$121,000 for the 2025 academic year, with the overall initiative exceeding NZ$300,000.
Scholarship recipients will receive a stipend of NZ$500 per week during their clinical placements, which last five weeks in the first year, 10 weeks in the second year, and 17 weeks in the third year.
The scholarships will also cover tuition fees, provide NZ$500 per year for health and wellbeing expenses, and pay for the Nursing Council of New Zealand’s state exam required for nurse registration.
Beyond financial assistance, the program offers scholarship recipients priority placement in clinical training at Southern Cross hospitals, part-time work opportunities during their studies, and mentorship from experienced nurses.
Dr Jan Dewar and Dr Rachel Macdiarmid, Heads of Nursing at AUT, expressed their satisfaction with the partnership.
“Helping students is our priority, and we know a huge pinch-point is the clinical placement aspect of the course, which is generally when finances are most stretched,” they said in a statement.
Chris White, CEO of Southern Cross Health Trust and Southern Cross Healthcare, stated that AUT’s strong nursing program and its proximity to several Southern Cross facilities made it an ideal partner for the scholarship initiative.
“AUT has a great nursing school and is close to several of our hospitals,” he said. “We’re incredibly proud to have worked with them to co-design this innovative initiative.”
He mentioned the potential for expanding the program to a national level to further support the education of New Zealand’s future healthcare professionals.
In addition to the scholarship initiative, Southern Cross Health Insurance (SCHI) has announced that nominations are now open for the 2025 Wayfinder Awards, which honour New Zealand businesses that excel in promoting employee health and wellbeing.
These awards, now in their second year, aim to recognise organisations that prioritise the wellbeing of their staff, a priority as New Zealanders increasingly face challenges related to the cost of living and workplace stress.
The 2025 Wayfinder Awards are open to organisations of all sizes, with categories designed to acknowledge the efforts of small, medium, and large businesses, as well as individual leaders and innovators. They are intended to inspire more companies to adopt practices that improve employee health.
