Work in New Zealand
Thinking about working as a doctor in New Zealand?
A move to New Zealand involves more than finding a job. We guide you through the whole pathway so you can make informed decisions from the start.
Start with the full picture
For an overseas doctor, the job, Medical Council registration and immigration all need to work.
The decisions you make early in the process can affect the options available later, so it helps to have people beside you who understand how the pieces connect.
NZDr supports doctors through that journey, from your first questions about New Zealand through to finding the right role, preparing for the move and settling in once you arrive.
Is New Zealand the right move for you?
Before we talk about roles, we want to understand what’s driving the move. Your career matters, but so do family, lifestyle, location, timing and what you want life in New Zealand to look like.
We’ll give you an honest view of what’s realistic for your specialty and circumstances, so you can decide whether New Zealand is right for you before investing unnecessary time, money or energy.
Medical Council registration
Your registration pathway depends on your qualifications, experience, specialty and individual circumstances.
Our experienced team will help you understand your eligibility, the registration pathway available to you and what’s involved in the Medical Council application process.
Importantly, we’ll also help you consider how decisions made now may affect your longer-term options in New Zealand, rather than looking at registration in isolation.
Immigration
Immigration is an important part of planning your move, and the right pathway will depend on your individual circumstances.
With a Licensed Immigration Adviser within the NZDr team, we provide immigration advice for doctors moving to New Zealand, including the appropriate visa pathway for you and, where relevant, your family.
Because recruitment, registration and immigration sit within the same conversation, we can help you understand how each part of the process fits together.
Finding the right opportunity
For doctors moving to New Zealand, we recruit across locum, fixed-term and permanent roles.
We don’t start with a list of vacancies and try to fit you into one. We start with your specialty, experience, goals and preferred way of living, then use our relationships across New Zealand to identify opportunities that may suit.
We’ll give you practical information about the role, service, location and expectations, so you have what you need to make an informed decision.
Relocation and family
Some of the biggest questions about moving countries have nothing to do with the job itself.
Where should you live? What are the schools like? Which region will suit your family? When should you arrive? What will everyday life actually look like?
We’ll help you work through the practical side of the move, sharing local knowledge and connecting you with useful people and information in the regions you’re considering.
Many of us have relocated internationally ourselves, so we understand just how much there is to think about.
Here when you arrive
Our support doesn’t end when you land in New Zealand or start your new role.
We’re based here, and we remain available as you settle into work and life in New Zealand. If you have a question, need some advice or simply want an independent sounding board, you know who to contact.
What opportunities can I consider?
Flexibility to work across different services and locations while experiencing life in New Zealand.
Your opportunity for a professional working holiday.
Longer-term opportunities for doctors ready to establish their career and life in New Zealand.
The right option will depend on your registration, immigration pathway, specialty, timing and what you want from your move. We’ll help you understand which options are available to you.
Thinking about making the move?
Whether New Zealand is already part of your plans or you’re just starting to explore the idea, talk to our team about your circumstances and what the pathway could look like.
Contact Us
nz@nzdr.nz
+64 21 288 6937
www.nzdr.nz
Auckland, New Zealand
