Midwifery in New Zealand: responding to changing times

This article provides a critical overview of midwifery in New Zealand. It first considers the influences in society that have assisted midwives in campaigning for change. Also outlined is the partnership of midwives and consumers that created the climate for an Act of Parliament permitting independent midwifery practice in 1990. Changes to midwifery practice since 1990 are documented, as well as some of the backlash that has occurred since then. In this article, New Zealand midwifery is set in its global context, and the major issue of partnership is also highlighted.