Wairarapa
Small towns, varied clinical work and Wellington nearby
The Wairarapa sits over the Remutaka Range from Wellington. A run of small wine towns and farmland with one hospital covering the district, so the clinical work stays broad without cutting you off from a capital city.
Wairarapa at a glance
Main centres:
Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, Martinborough
Population:
Regional population: 51,400
Largest urban centre: 36,200
Health district:
Wairarapa
Main hospital:
Wairarapa Hospital, Masterton
Summer average high:
24°C in January
Winter average high:
12°C in July
Sunshine:
1,920 hours a year
Rainfall:
980 mm a year
Living in the Wairarapa, wine villages and open country
Masterton is the biggest town, with Carterton, Greytown, Featherston and Martinborough strung out south of it.
Martinborough is the centre of the local wine industry, and the villages have built a name for food and weekends away. Plenty of Wellingtonians come over, which keeps the towns busier than their size suggests.
The coast to the east is rugged and unspoilt, with Castlepoint and Cape Palliser among the highlights. Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre and the Remutaka Cycle Trail are close by.
Wairarapa Hospital, a secondary service doing the lot
Health New Zealand describes Wairarapa Hospital in Masterton as a secondary hospital with 24-hour emergency services and a full range of medical, surgical, obstetric, paediatric and mental health care. It has three operating rooms.
Visiting specialists cover urology, oncology and chemotherapy.
For a district hospital that's a wide remit, and it keeps the work varied. The scope stays broad.
Life at a slower speed in the Wairarapa
Housing costs less than Wellington and comes with a lot more land. That difference is the main reason families make the move over the hill.
The towns are small, the schools are close, and in most cases work is a few minutes away.
Wellington is over the range when you want a concert, an international flight or a bigger night out, without being on your doorstep every day.
The fuller picture
One hospital covers the district, with a small team and visiting specialists for some services. Tertiary work goes to Wellington.
Wellington is around an hour to an hour and a half away by road, and the Wairarapa commuter train line runs from Masterton into the capital.
The Wairarapa gives you range, autonomy and a short commute, with the capital's tertiary services close at hand.
Talk to us about Wairarapa
We'll be specific about what the scope of a role here really covers and how the visiting specialist arrangements work in practice. If you're moving from overseas, registration, immigration and relocation are part of the same conversation.
What kind of hospital is Wairarapa Hospital?
Health New Zealand describes it as a secondary hospital in Masterton with 24-hour emergency services and a full range of medical, surgical, obstetric, paediatric and mental health care, with three operating rooms.
Visiting specialists cover urology, oncology and chemotherapy.
How far is the Wairarapa from Wellington?
The Wairarapa sits over the Remutaka Range from Wellington, around an hour to an hour and a half by road, and a commuter train runs from Masterton into the city.
Is the Wairarapa a good place to live?
Housing costs less than Wellington and comes with more land, the towns are small and walkable, and the wine villages have a strong food and weekend culture.
It suits people who want space without losing access to a capital city.
Contact Us
nz@nzdr.nz
+64 21 288 6937
www.nzdr.nz
Auckland, New Zealand
