New Zealand
New Zealand is known as the "land of the long white cloud". It is known for the All Blacks, Southern Alps and extreme sports. Its culture is as diverse as the two islands. For doctors wishing to work in New Zealand, it offers excellent training, innovative hospitals, research and lifestyle.
New Zealand Hospitals
The main tertiary hospitals are in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The regional hospitals also provide ongoing training and opportunities to continue study through the Universities or Colleges. The absence of Registrars in most of the smaller regional hospitals allows for close contact between Consultants and House Officers. This may mean higher exposure to a broader range of medical cases and opportunities for more responsibility and teaching.
In New Zealand the House Officer year commences in November, whilst the Registrar year commences in December. Positions can become available all year and hospitals will consider any appropriately qualified doctor.
The New Zealand hospital and training systems are modeled on those from the UK and also those from the US. They are innovative and are leaders when it comes to research. Hospitals are very well equipped with modern equipment, technology and facilities. This includes direct phone, email and computer links from regional hospitals to the tertiary hospitals.
Hospital staff are known for being friendly, personal and very professional creating an informal and friendly environment. Consultants are approachable and want to guide junior doctors along in their career, especially those in the smaller regional hospitals where Registrars are not employed.
Salaries for junior doctors can vary between tertiary hospitals and regional hospitals, with higher rates of pay are given to regional hospitals. Salaries are based on the category run (i.e. obstetrics, relief, medicine), the number of hours you will be working per week and the number of postgraduate years you have worked.
Below is a quick indication on what doctors may earn as a base salary (as at October 2008):-
- House Officer (Year 1) – 40-65+ hours - $51,000 - $98,000
- House Officer (Year 2) – 40-65+ hours - $56,000 - $106,000
- Senior House Officer (Year 3) – 40-65+ hours - $59,000 - $112,000
- Senior House Officer (Year 4) – 40-65+ hours – $62,000 - $119,000
- Registrar (Year 1) – 40-65+ hours - $59,000 - $112,000
- Registrar (Year 2) – 40-65+ hours - $62,000 - $119,000
- Registrar (Year 3) – 40-65+ hours - $65,000 - $125,000
- Registrar (Year 4) – 40-65+ hours - $68,000 - $131,000
- Registrar (Year 5) – 40-65+ hours - $71,000 - $137,000
- Registrar (Year 6) – 40-65+ hours - $75,000 - $143,000
- Registrar (Year 7) – 40-65+ hours - $78,000 - $149,000
- Registrar (Year 8) – 40-65+ hours - $81,000 - $155,000
- Registrar (Year 9) – 40-65+ hours - $84,000 - $162,000
- Registrar (Year 10) – 40-65+ hours - $88,000 - $168,000
Consultant / Specialist salaries also vary according to experience, specialty, hospital and hours worked. Based on 38-40 hours per week, public hospital employees can earn between $120,000 - $250,000 per annum. On-call, Continued Medical Education, Registration and Medical Indemnity are generally paid on top.
New Zealand has been described by doctors as having a great lifestyle to work ratio.
For more information, please register
- Working In New Zealand
- Locum Doctor Information
- Locum in New Zealand
New Zealand Hospitals - Medical Council Registration
- Work Visa
- Lifestyle
- Taxation
Specialist recruiters of doctors for Australia and New Zealand
- providing opportunities
Telephone: +61 2 4381 1449
NZ Text Msg: +64 210 263 1013
