Plunket is committed to equipping our people and supporting them to succeed - and one of the ways we do this is through the Professional Development and Recognition Programme (PDRP).
Plunket's PDRP is designed to:
- Recognise, value and acknowledge the significant contribution Plunket nurses and health workers make in reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes for tamariki and whānau
- Give a framework for nurses and health workers to develop their professional practice and support their career pathway
- Provide assurance of Plunket’s commitment to health care excellence.
The knowledge and skills required in practice at the different PDRP levels are integrated into the Standards for Plunket Nurse Practice and Health Worker Standards of Practice.
Changes to PDRP
What is changing?
PDRP is evolving to reflect the Nursing Council of New Zealand Standards of Competence. These changes will:
- Align with the latest Scopes of Practice and Standards of Competence for Registered Nurses
- Increase capability, engagement, and participation so more nurses actively use PDRPs
- Strengthen partnerships with Māori and Pacific nurses to encourage greater participation
- Establish a nationally consistent approach to professional development.
Updated PDRP documents come into effect from January 2026
Nursing Council New Zealand (NCNZ) has advised there is a very strict date to swap over to the new Pou. All PDRP portfolio assessments after 31 January 2026 must be assessed against the new standards of competence (Pou). As we need time to assess portfolios and for any additional further evidence required, the last domain-based portfolios need to be submitted by 5 January 2026, at 9am.
We are awaiting NCNZ approval of our new template and it will be uploaded to the website as soon as approval is received.
If you are submitting your portfolio (domain based) before 5 January 2026 or would like the new template and the Levels of Practice document so you can start working on your portfolio, please contact Safia at pdrp@plunket.org.nz.
Transition timeline
- December 2025: PDRPs will transition from the previous domain-based portfolios to the Standards of Competence (Pou)
- Until 5 January 2026: Whānau Awhina Plunket will continue to accept domain-based portfolios
- From 1 February 2026: All portfolios submitted must align with the Standards of Competence (Pou) framework.
Submitting for PDRP
As a Plunket nurse or health worker, here's all the information you need for submitting for PDRP.
Handbooks
Your go-to document for all you need to know about PDRP at Plunket:
- PDRP Registered Nurse Information Handbook - updated version pending
- PDRP Health Workers Handbook (DOC, 1.6MB)
Te Māra Module
The PDRP Te Māra module is under review and will soon be updated to reflect the new standards.
What level are you submitting for?
- Nurses
- Health workers
- Kaiāwhina
Can I transfer my PDRP into Plunket?
If you're a nurse becoming employed by Plunket and you're on PDRP, you can apply to transfer your PDRP to Plunket.
Speak with your Plunket line-manager about this, and complete the Plunket PDRP transfer-in form (PDF, 365KB) and email it, along with a verified copy of your original PDRP certificate or confirmation letter, to the Plunket PDRP coordinator.
When can I submit for PDRP?
Nurses submitting for Competent and Senior Nurse can do so at any stage during the year.
For health workers submitting for Proficient and Accomplished levels and nurses submitting for Proficient and Expert levels, there are three set timeframes during the year when you can submit.
If you wish to submit your PDRP, please complete the below expression of interest form at least two months prior to your planned submission date.
Please submit your portfolio on the due dates to the PDRP inbox: PDRP@plunket.org.nz.
Portfolios
|
Portfolio assessment
|
Outcome
|
| 1 March | March | 31 March |
| 1 June | June | 30 June |
| 1 October | October | 31 October |
Need help?
If you need help at any stage, please contact the PDRP Coordinator (PDRP@plunket.org.nz).
Your line-manager or colleagues on PDRP may also be able to offer you some guidance and support.
Submission for Competent Nurse
These submissions are accepted at any time throughout the year. Please speak with your first-line manager about submitting for PDRP (e.g. Clinical Leader).
When your portfolio is ready to be assessed, you can email it to PDRP@plunket.org.nz.
PDRP submission for nurses completing the Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Nursing (Well Child Tamariki Ora Child Tamariki Ora Strand):
If you are undertaking the PG Cert, you can submit to have your programme portfolio assessed for PDRP. Speak with your Plunket educator about that.
- PDRP registered nurse template - updated version pending
Submission for Proficient Nurse
These submissions are accepted at set times throughout the year (see table above).
When your portfolio is ready to be assessed, the portfolio is emailed to the PDRP team at PDRP@plunket.org.nz.
- PDRP registered nurse template - updated version pending
Submission for Expert Nurse
These submissions are accepted at set times throughout the year (for dates see table above). When your portfolio is ready to be assessed, the portfolio is emailed to PDRP@plunket.org.nz.
- PDRP registered nurse template - updated version pending
Submission for Senior Nurse
These submissions are accepted at any time throughout the year.
When the portfolio is ready to be assessed, the portfolio is emailed to PDRP@plunket.org.nz.
- PDRP senior nurse template - updated version pending
Health workers: Submitting for Proficient or Accomplished
These submissions are accepted at set times throughout the year (see table above).
When the portfolio is ready to be assessed, the portfolio is emailed to PDRP@plunket.org.nz.
All the documents and forms you need as a health worker submitting for Proficient or Accomplished:
Kaiāwhina: Submitting for Proficient or Accomplished
These submissions are accepted at set times throughout the year (see table above).
When the portfolio is ready to be assessed, the portfolio is emailed to PDRP@plunket.org.nz.
All the documents and forms you need as a health worker submitting for Proficient or Accomplished:
