Lay summary
The Māori nurse practitioner (NP) workforce can potentially transform health outcomes for whānau Māori and local hapori (communities) by delivering comprehensive and meaningful primary healthcare services. Currently, no national framework or policy supports the development of Māori registered nurses (RNs) to become NPs, perpetuating nursing workforce inequities. This project has two main aims. Firstly, to undertake kaupapa Māori research to understand the complexities for Māori RNs on their clinical and academic pathway to become NPs; and secondly, to develop a kaupapa Māori framework to guide the successful progression of Māori RNs to NPs. This framework offers the potential for creating novel approaches for the Māori health workforce in Aotearoa and will potentially inform other Indigenous communities. The research will provide clear guidelines to health providers and organisations, aligns with the 2023 health reform agenda to promote equity of health and workforce equity, and prioritises Māori NPs and Māori communities.