Internal (General) Medicine is a core component of medical services in New Zealand hospitals.
It is practised across all hospital sizes, including tertiary, regional, and rural settings.
Key features of general medicine practice in New Zealand include:
This generalist approach supports flexible, sustainable medical care across the country. Internal medicine specialties are structured differently depending on the hospital's size, location, and service design.
Internal Medicine Specialists in New Zealand provide comprehensive, non-surgical care for adult patients with a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions affecting internal organs. They are trained to manage complex, multisystem diseases and often care for patients with multiple coexisting conditions.
The role involves:
General Medicine Specialists primarily work in Health NZ hospitals and play a key role in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Senior Medical Officers receive a base salary relative to their level of experience. This is agreed upon at the time of the job offer. There is a 15-step pay scale that SMOs continue to progress through on a yearly basis.
In New Zealand, the salaries and benefits of some roles are determined by collective agreements between unions and employers.
Employment agreementsexternal link
Additional allowances are paid on top of base salary and vary due to location and service, and are often not specified in the collective agreement.
There is a range of additional allowances for:
Leave entitlements include:
Additional benefits include:
KiwiSaver (superannuation savings scheme)
Health NZ encourages Senior Medical Officers to be involved in the design, implementation and performance of facilities and technology involved in the delivery of healthcare services to ensure an effective, efficient and safe workplace.
Specific opportunities vary by location and service; however, they can include:
To work as a General Physician in New Zealand, the following qualifications, training, and registration requirements apply.
You must hold a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) or an equivalent overseas qualification recognised by the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).
You must complete a structured vocational training programme in internal medicine accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), which includes:
You will gain extensive clinical experience during training, including managing patients with complex and multisystem conditions. Many specialists also undertake fellowships or research to develop additional expertise.
You must obtain vocational registration in internal medicine with the MCNZ. This typically requires completion of the full RACP training programme and award of Fellowship (FRACP).
For international medical graduates, your qualifications, training, and experience are assessed by the MCNZ to determine comparability to the New Zealand standard. Additional requirements may include examinations, a period of supervised practice, or assessment through a recognised pathway.
If trained outside of New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Ireland, Canada or the USA, you must demonstrate English language proficiency. This is usually met by achieving the required scores in the IELTS or OET examinations.
You must maintain a current APC issued by the MCNZ, which must be renewed annually.
To retain your APC, you must:
To work as a Senior Medical Officer in Aotearoa New Zealand, you will need to obtain vocational registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).
The Medical Council of New Zealand have a self-assessment tool to help you easily determine which registration pathway you should take.
Registration self assessment tool — Medical Council of New Zealandexternal link
We have a page dedicated to providing information to candidates about our recruitment process, what you need to work in Aotearoa New Zealand and key details about moving here.
Visas and settling in New Zealand
In many hospitals, specialties are integrated with General Medicine; in others, they may function as standalone services.
Patterns vary between larger tertiary centres and smaller regional or rural hospitals, where generalist skill sets are often essential.
In many hospitals, specialties are integrated with General Medicine; in others, they may function as standalone services.
Patterns vary between larger tertiary centres and smaller regional or rural hospitals, where generalist skill sets are often essential.
Specialties commonly practised alongside general medicine include:
Specialties more commonly practised on their own include:
These patterns vary between larger tertiary centres and smaller regional or rural hospitals, where generalist skill sets are often essential.
Below is a list of the internal medicine specialties practised in New Zealand.
General Medicine Specialists (General Physicians) diagnose and manage a wide range of adult medical conditions, including chronic diseases, infections and multi-system disorders. They collaborate with patients to develop personalised treatment plans that may include medications, lifestyle changes and referrals to other specialists.
Internal medicine specialists typically work in hospitals, clinics, and community health centres. Health New Zealand provides state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive, team-based environment focused on patient-centred care.
Responsibilities may include:
Cardiologists specialise in diagnosing and treating heart conditions, such as:
They work closely with a multidisciplinary team to develop personalised treatment plans that may include medications, lifestyle changes or surgical interventions.
Cardiologists typically work in hospitals, clinics and private practices. Health New Zealand offers modern facilities and a collaborative, patient-centred care environment.
Responsibilities may include:
Clinical Immunologists specialise in diagnosing and treating immune system disorders, such as:
They collaborate with patients to develop personalised treatment plans that may include medications, immunotherapy and lifestyle modifications.
Clinical immunologists typically work in hospitals, clinics and research institutions. Health New Zealand provides state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive, team-based environment focused on patient-centred care.
Responsibilities may include:
Clinical Pharmacologists specialise in the safe and effective use of medications, focusing on drug interactions, pharmacokinetics and optimising treatment outcomes. They collaborate with patients and healthcare teams to develop personalised medication plans that improve efficacy while minimising risks.
Clinical pharmacologists typically work in hospitals, clinics, and research institutions.
Responsibilities may include:
Endocrinologists specialise in diagnosing and treating hormone-related disorders, such as:
They collaborate with patients to develop personalised treatment plans that may include medications, hormone therapy and lifestyle modifications.
Endocrinologists typically work in hospitals, clinics, and research institutions.
Responsibilities may include:
Gastroenterologists specialise in diagnosing and treating disorders of the digestive system, including conditions affecting the:
They collaborate with patients to develop personalised treatment plans that may include medications, dietary modifications, endoscopic procedures or surgical referrals.
Gastroenterologists typically work in hospitals, clinics and research institutions.
Responsibilities may include:
Geriatricians specialise in diagnosing and managing health conditions affecting older adults, such as:
They collaborate with patients and their families to develop personalised care plans that focus on improving quality of life, maintaining independence and managing complex health needs.
Geriatricians typically work in hospitals, aged care facilities and community health services.
Responsibilities may include:
Haematologists specialise in diagnosing and treating disorders of the blood and bone marrow, including:
They collaborate with patients to develop personalised treatment plans that may include medications, blood transfusions, chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation.
Haematologists typically work in hospitals, specialist clinics and research institutions.
Responsibilities may include:
Infectious Disease Specialists diagnose and manage infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, including conditions such as:
They collaborate with patients to develop personalised treatment plans that may include antimicrobial therapy, infection control measures, and vaccination strategies.
Infectious Disease Specialists typically work in hospitals, public health units, and research institutions.
Responsibilities may include:
Medical oncologists specialise in diagnosing and treating cancer, including solid tumours and haematological malignancies.
They work closely with patients to develop personalised treatment plans that may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or hormone therapy.
Nephrologists specialise in diagnosing and treating kidney-related conditions, including:
They collaborate with patients to develop personalised treatment plans that may include medications, dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Nephrologists typically work in hospitals, specialist clinics and research institutions. Health New Zealand provides state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive, team-based environment focused on patient-centred care.
Responsibilities may include:
Neurologists specialise in diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system, including:
They collaborate with patients to develop personalised treatment plans that may include medications, rehabilitation and lifestyle modifications.
Neurologists typically work in hospitals, specialist clinics, and research institutions.
Responsibilities may include:
Nuclear Medicine Specialists use radioactive substances to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, including:
They collaborate with patients to develop personalised treatment plans that may include imaging, therapy and monitoring of radioactive treatments.
Nuclear Medicine Specialists typically work in hospitals, diagnostic imaging centres, and research institutions.
Responsibilities may include:
Palliative Medicine Specialists focus on providing relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of serious illnesses, such as:
They collaborate with patients and their families to develop personalised care plans that aim to improve quality of life and support emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being.
Palliative Medicine Specialists typically work in hospitals, hospices, and community health settings.
Responsibilities may include:
Respiratory Medicine Specialists diagnose and treat diseases of the lungs and respiratory system, including:
They collaborate with patients to develop personalised treatment plans that may include medications, pulmonary rehabilitation and lifestyle modifications.
Respiratory Medicine Specialists typically work in hospitals, specialist clinics, and research institutions.
Responsibilities may include:
Health NZ’s Health Immigration Service, Kiwi Health Jobs, Immigration NZ and the Medical Council of New Zealand have run joint webinars to take you through the different steps towards starting a new adventure in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Learn more about moving to our beautiful country, directly from the people who process your applications.
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.
