Our doctors are more than just individuals in a clinic. They become part of their communities' wellbeing. With a diverse population of 5 million, we need more General Practitioners (GPs) and Rural Hospital Doctors.
You can see more of what Aotearoa New Zealand has to offer, in a role to suit the needs of you and your whānau. Be it small-town rural living or the bright lights of the city, you will be in high demand wherever you choose to go.
Whether you are interested in full-time, part-time or locum work, we offer a healthy work-life balance. This allows you to make lasting connections with patients and work through complex yet rewarding challenges in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
work in GP-owned practices.
identify as female.
work full-time.
are international medical graduates.
of rural hospital doctors got their first medical degree overseas.
64%
work in GP-owned practices.
58%
identify as female.
51%
work full-time.
38%
are international medical graduates.
48%
of rural hospital doctors got their first medical degree overseas.
As a GP, there are 2 major visa pathways to choose from.
GPs are on Tier 1 of New Zealand's Green List. This means you can apply for a straight-to-residence visa for you and your family from offshore.
To be eligible to New Zealand's straight-to-residence pathway, you must:
This pathway allows your family to be part of your residency application, rather than needing to apply for separate visas for all family members. Having New Zealand residency also allows you to buy a home and qualifies you for employer-matched superannuation straight away. The job offer you get is also not tied to your residency application, meaning you can move jobs more easily than if you were on a work visa.
Straight to Residence Visa — New Zealand Immigrationexternal link
An Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a 3-year work visa that is tied to a job offer, meaning you would need to change the conditions of the visa in order to move roles. Your family would also need to apply for separate work, education and visitor visas that are linked to your AEWV application.
To be eligible for an AEWV, you must:
Accredited Employer Work Visa — New Zealand Immigrationexternal link
In order to practice in New Zealand, you need to be registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand. Depending on your level of qualification and what country this was obtained in, there are a number of different registration pathways to choose from.
Introduction to scopes of practice — Medical Council of New Zealandexternal link
GPs and Rural Hospital Doctors are not typically employed by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora.
We work with NZLocums and NZMedJobs, which are divisions of Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network. They are experts in medical recruitment in New Zealand and placing GPs into roles across the country, in both rural and urban practices.
Complete the registration form as your expression of interest in a General Practitioner (GP) or Rural Hospital Doctor role.
Complete the registration form as your expression of interest in a General Practitioner (GP) or Rural Hospital Doctor role.
Our candidate management team will review your application and refer you to Hauora Taiwhenua if suitable.
Our candidate management team will review your application and refer you to Hauora Taiwhenua if suitable.
You will be contacted by Hauora Taiwhenua to discuss career and location options.
You will be contacted by Hauora Taiwhenua to discuss career and location options.
Hauora Taiwhenua will refer you to a practice or recruiter in your preferred location(s) for further assessment.
Hauora Taiwhenua will refer you to a practice or recruiter in your preferred location(s) for further assessment.
Your chosen practice(s) will be in touch with you to continue the recruitment process.
Your chosen practice(s) will be in touch with you to continue the recruitment process.
'The place we'd want to raise our family is somewhere like New Zealand.'
Meet Sam and Katy — 2 GPs who moved from the UK to New Plymouth in New Zealand.
Whether you prefer the vibrant urban centres of Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, the scenic landscapes of Otago and Nelson, or the close-knit community atmosphere in areas like Hawke's Bay and Taranaki, there’s a location to suit your lifestyle.
Whether you prefer the vibrant urban centres of Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, the scenic landscapes of Otago and Nelson, or the close-knit community atmosphere in areas like Hawke's Bay and Taranaki, there’s a location to suit your lifestyle.
