Twelve new Māori nurses walked the stage last week to complete their graduation from the Toi Ohomai Kia Ora Hauora programme.
And nearly all of them will be taking up jobs in the Bay of Plenty.
The programme was designed to foster Māori students into health career pathways.
Of the 12 graduates, seven had been employed at Lakes District Health Board and four employed at Bay of Plenty District Health Board.
Pou Manukura Kia Ora Hauora midland programme facilitator Lianne Kohere said the numbers of Kia Ora Hauora registered nursing graduates accepted on to the course had increased to 60 per cent for this year's intake.