Which law established the practice of 'registered midwifery' in New Zealand?

The law that established the practice of 'registered midwifery' in New Zealand is the Midwifery Act 1990. This act specifically aimed to regulate the practice of midwifery and set the framework for the registration, training, and practice standards for midwives in New Zealand. It was a significant milestone in recognizing the role of midwives as independent practitioners, which further empowered them to provide care to women during pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period.

In contrast, the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 is broader and focuses on ensuring the competence of all health practitioners, but it does not establish midwifery specifically. The Nurses Act 1977 was primarily focused on the regulation of nursing practice, and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 deals with workplace health and safety regulations across all sectors, not specifically with midwifery practice.