Lay summary
Aotearoa New Zealand is faced with persisting issues of inequitable healthcare access and outcomes, the need for increased prevention of disease and promotion of health, and a shortage of general practitioners (GPs). There are now over 700 NPs in Aotearoa. Te Whatu Ora, in their Health Workforce Plan 2023/24, have committed to increase NP training places (to 100 in 2024) as well as the representation of Māori, and Pasifika. It is critical that we progress research on the integration, work and activities of NPs if we are to optimise this highly relevant and valuable workforce in the PHC sector. This research will provide answers as to how NPs enhance and transform healthcare delivery to meet local health need, improve access, and advance health equity, as well as developing indicators to measure NPs' contributions.