Abstract: Explores the NZ context underpinning adequate specialist nurse workforce supply, contending that effective workforce planning would be supported by the
development of a single unified framework for specialist nursing practice in NZ, with the potential to support accurate data collection and to enable service providers to identify and plan transparent and transferable pathways for specialist nursing service provision and development. Argues that advanced practice nursing frameworks assist in increasing productivity through building an evidence base about advanced practice, enhancing consistency and equity of expertise, supporting a reduction in role duplication, and enabling succession planning and sustainability.