Careers in Nelson Marlborough

At the top of the South Island, the Nelson Marlborough region offers an unbeatable mix of lifestyle, climate and career opportunity. With golden beaches, native bush and snow-capped ranges on your doorstep, the outdoors is part of everyday life.

Tucked between mountains, forests and coastlines, the Nelson Marlborough region combines natural beauty, cultural creativity and career opportunity — all under some of the sunniest skies in Aotearoa.

Here, health professionals enjoy meaningful mahi in modern facilities, surrounded by national parks, thriving towns and a strong sense of community.

Here, your mahi will be meaningful, and your lifestyle equally rewarding.

Hospitals and community health centres

Nelson Marlborough has two main hospitals — Nelson Hospital and Wairau Hospital — supported by smaller rural hospitals and community health centres across the region. These services support people from all parts of the community. We are focused on building strong teams and practice environments that retain, grow, enable and extend the health workforce.

Nelson Hospital

Nelson Hospital is the largest facility, providing a broad range of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services throughout the South Island. It includes medical and surgical specialties, orthopaedics, maternity and paediatrics, alongside intensive care and radiology services. Many regional and specialist teams are based here, including mental health and allied health services.

Wairau Hospital

Wairau Hospital, located in Blenheim, provides acute and elective services to the Marlborough community. It includes an emergency department, inpatient wards, day surgery and outpatient clinics. Wairau also supports diagnostic services, maternity care, and mental health teams based in the region. It plays a vital role in ensuring people in Marlborough have local access to high-quality care.

Murchison Hospital

Murchison Hospital is a small rural facility that provides urgent and primary care to the surrounding community. Murchison Hospital ensures that timely care is available in this remote part of the region. It includes:

• A 6-bed aged residential care unit
• A Health Centre for general practice clinics and nurse-led services
• Access to on-call emergency staff via 111.

Alexandra Hospital

Alexandra Hospital, in Richmond, offers specialist inpatient and community mental health services for older people. Alexandra Hospital specialises in the care of people with dementia or cognitive decline alongside other mental health conditions. It has two main areas of care:

• Older Persons Mental Health – Community: outreach support for clients in their homes and aged care facilities
• Older Persons Mental Health Admissions Unit: a short-stay unit for assessment and care planning, with a focus on supporting transitions into appropriate residential or community-based care.

Community health centres

A network of health hubs and centres makes care more accessible across Nelson Marlborough. These centres deliver a range of primary care, outpatient and community services tailored to each area. These locations strengthen local access to care, support early intervention and reduce the need for hospital-based services.

• Richmond Health Hub
• Marlborough Health Hub
• Motueka Health Centre
• Golden Bay Community Health Centre.

Nelson City

Nelson is a vibrant coastal city known for its sunshine, creative community and easy access to beaches, national parks and cycle trails. It has a strong local economy, a thriving arts scene and excellent schools, making it a popular place to live and work. Nelson Hospital is located here, along with a range of support services and community facilities.

Blenheim

Blenheim is the heart of the Marlborough wine region and home to Wairau Hospital. With a mild climate, strong community networks and a mix of rural charm and modern conveniences, it offers a relaxed lifestyle ideal for families and professionals. Blenheim also has an airport, good schools and a thriving food and wine culture.

Motueka

Motueka is a welcoming town nestled between orchards, rivers and the sea — a gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. It offers a relaxed lifestyle with a strong community spirit, plenty of outdoor activities and a growing hub of creative and small business ventures. The Motueka Health Centre supports the local population and the surrounding rural areas.

Picton

Picton is a picturesque harbour town and the main ferry gateway between the North and South Islands. It’s known for its stunning waterfront, marine life and access to the Marlborough Sounds. Picton is popular with visitors and residents alike, offering a laid-back lifestyle with excellent walking tracks and boating opportunities.

Tākaka

Tākaka is the main township in Golden Bay, a remote and beautiful corner of the South Island. Known for its natural beauty, close-knit community and alternative lifestyle, Tākaka is surrounded by national parks, beaches and freshwater springs. Golden Bay Community Health provides integrated services for this unique rural area.

Murchison

Murchison sits at the intersection of rivers and mountains, offering a quiet rural lifestyle in one of the South Island’s most scenic locations. It's popular with outdoor enthusiasts, particularly for kayaking, fishing and hiking. Murchison Hospital and Health Centre serve the small local population with aged care, urgent response and general practice services.