Newly qualified midwives are set to get extra mentoring and supervision, with the government chipping in an extra $2.77 million.

About 160 midwives graduate a year - and the are now set to get extra clinical support and guidance during their first year of practice.

The new programme's been rolled out by the Midwifery Council and the New Zealand College of Midwives, with funding from government agency Health Workforce New Zealand.