Southern Cross Health Trust boosts investment in nursing students to $1million

The Southern Cross Health Trust still has seven of its 56 nursing scholarships available for 2026, after awarding 49 as part of a $1 million commitment to support nursing students through their study and clinical placements.

Almost half recipients are Māori, contributing to a more diverse workforce.

The nursing scholarship programme was established with Auckland University of Technology (AUT), awarding 17 scholarships in 2025. Now in its second year, the programme has expanded more than threefold, offering 56 scholarships across six tertiary nursing providers in 2026. The remaining scholarships will be awarded in June.

Alongside AUT, scholarships are available through University of Waikato, Western Institute of Technology, Whitireia – WelTec, Ara – Institute of Canterbury and Southland Institute of Technology.

The cost of study and clinical placements can be a major barrier for prospective nurses. By providing practical financial and clinical support, we can help support more student nurses through to graduation.

Recipients receive a $500 weekly stipend while on clinical placement, a $5000 annual contribution towards course fees and $500 per year for general health and wellbeing. They also receive mentorship opportunities from Southern Cross Healthcare and the cost of the Nursing Council of New Zealand state exam, taken to become registered nurses, is covered in their final year.

In addition, a $300 nursing uniform and footwear voucher for clinical placement is provided to all first-year nursing students (approximately 1500) at the six nursing schools – a contribution valued at $450,000.

One recipient, AUT second-year student Monique Overend, said it helped her, as a single parent, to focus on her studies by taking off some of the financial pressure.

By increasing the number of scholarships and partnering across regions where we have a hospital presence, we are supporting New Zealand’s future nursing workforce and the health of our communities.

Further details about the 2026 nursing scholarship programme, including upcoming application dates, are available at www.southerncrosshealthcare.co.nz.

Southern Cross Health Trust general manager Jacinda Page
Southern Cross Healthcare chief nursing & quality officer Monica Goldwater
Southern Cross Health Trust and Southern Cross Healthcare chief executive Chris White

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