Lay summary
There is a national crisis in midwifery workforce numbers. This research will further our understanding on the recruitment, retention, and diversity of midwives in Aotearoa, with a particular focus on Māori and Pacific midwives. The research will evaluate the impact of midwifery student employment models, such as the Maternity Care Assistant role, on the transition from student to registered midwife. It will also assess the effectiveness of transition to practice programmes that support new midwives in their early careers. Through a series of studies the research will gather insights into how midwifery student employment models and transition to practice programmes can be developed to improve workforce retention and increase the number of Māori and Pacific midwives. The findings from this research will inform recommendations for enhancing midwifery training and support systems, contributing to a more sustainable and diverse midwifery workforce in Aotearoa.