Aotearoa New Zealand..

Direct Entry - 3 years full time, the RN - RM route is two years full time, but this is under review and will shortly be extended. Emphasis is very much on the Independent Model, or Lead Maternity Carer (LMC), which is enshrined in our legislation. So, the 'push' is for Midwives to get out there post qualification. The reality is somewhat different tho', as Independent Midwifery can take such a heavy toll on family life (relentless on call) - so many MW's will do 2 years in Indie practice then return to Core (hospital-based) for a break.
Partnership and the Treaty of Waitangi (our treaty with our Indigenous peoples) underpin Midwifery in NZ, together with the philosophy of Cultural Safety. In the 90's, NZ had a strongly feminist discourse running socially and politically, to some extent this has been sacrificed to the great god of consumerism - you may be aware of NZ's commitment to a nuclear free pacific and to Greenpeace in the '70's, too.

NZ's cultural influences beyond Maori and Pakeha (white) are Polynesia and Asia, so it's an excitingly diverse ethno-scape..more South Pacific than Australia.

I'm a rural Kiwi, so train via a peripheral hospital linked to a larger city university.

Job opportunities are great, but it's a user-pays system with no public funding, so St MW's can start out with a loan to pay back of $20,000 - $50,000. The loan is interest free (until they scan your passport as you leave for a better paid position in the UK/Australia.....then the interest goes on!) and can be paid off over many years...but it definately contributes to lower uptake of training and fall-out rates...

Great to read other folks' challenges!

xx