nurses registration act 1901 nurses registration act 1901 the nurses registration act was passed on 12 september 1901 in new zealand, providing for the registration of trained nurses. nurses registration act 1901new zealand parliamentstatus: repealed the legislation came into effect on 1 january 1902, leading new zealand to become the first country in the world to regulate nurses nationally. on 10 january 1902 ellen dougherty became the first registered nurse in new zealand, and in the world. like other new zealand acts requiring registration of professions there was a transition or grandfather clause allowing registration of nurses with at least four years experience even if they did not have the training specified for new nurses by the act and regulations (see clause 5 of act).