Registrations open for the 2026 Voluntary Bonding Scheme
Published: 7 September 2026
Te Whatu Ora | Health NZ scheme aims to attract and retain recently qualified health professionals in primary and community care and in regional, rural and remote communities. Participants who meet the scheme requirements can become eligible for retention incentive payments after three, four and five years of practice.
Who is eligible?
The 2026 intake includes several professions relevant to primary and community care, including:
newly qualified nurse practitioners and registered nurses (2025), and new and recent graduate enrolled nurses (2024 and 2025) working in primary and community settings nationwide
general practice trainees working in targeted regional and rural communities
new and recent graduate pharmacists working in eligible rural and regional community settings
new graduate midwives
eligible new or recent graduates across selected allied health and oral health professions.
What practices can do
Check whether recently qualified team members may be eligible and encourage them to review the scheme requirements and register before 23 September.