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PURPOSE. Prescriptive authority in the area of mental health care is significantly different between New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Exploring the educational preparation and context differences aids understanding of the present dearth of mental health nurse prescribers in New Zealand. CONCLUSIONS. The barriers experienced in implementation and extension of prescribing rights have been similar in both countries. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Until roles change, registered nurses in New Zealand may be reluctant to undertake the challenging and demanding step to gain prescribing rights. The potential for nurses to make a difference in the lives of people with mental illness in New Zealand is therefore constrained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]