Midwives say they are cautiously optimistic over their battle for pay equity.

The New Zealand College of Midwives and the Ministry of Health agreed upon a new funding model last year - in an attempt to quash pay equity court action against the ministry.

The agreed value of a community midwife has been put at $241,000, a sum being rejected by ministry officials as unaffordable.

College of Midwives deputy chief executive Alison Eddy told Mike Hosking says there is an assurance from the Ministry that pay equity is on this Government's agenda.

"What we need is a timeline and some firm commitments from them."

LISTEN ABOVE AS ALISON EDDY SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING