Lakes
The Lakes District is well known for its geothermal activity and natural hot springs. The area is located in the central North Island and is home to many geothermal attractions, such as geysers, hot mud pools, and steam vents. Visitors can also relax in the region's natural hot springs, which are believed to have healing properties.
About the Region
Lakes is located in the central North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand. Rotorua is located approximately 230 kilometers (143 miles) southeast of Auckland, while Taupo is located approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Rotorua.
Lakes is known for its geothermal attractions. Rotorua and Taupo offer many outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, and water sports, as well as cultural experiences that showcase the region's Māori heritage. The region is also home to several scenic lakes, including Lake Taupo, which is the largest lake in New Zealand.
Health New Zealand - Lakes
About Health New Zealand
Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora is the Government organisation that provides publicly-funded universal health care to 5 million Kiwis.
The management and delivery of health services are broken down into 'Districts' across the country, determined by both geographic location and population.
About the Health New Zealand - Lakes District
Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Lakes serves a population of just over 110,000 and covers 9,570 square kilometres. It stretches from Mourea, north of Rotorua, to Mangakino in the west down to Tūrangi in the south and across to Kaingaroa village in the east. The major centres of population are Rotorua and Taupō and the main smaller communities are Mangakino and Turangi.
The principal iwi (Māori tribal groups) in the Lakes district are Te Arawa and Ngāti Tūwharetoa. A significant number of Māori living here affiliate to iwi outside the district.
There are two territorial local authorities within the Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Lakes boundaries – Rotorua Lakes and Taupō.
Photo location + credit: Rotorua (Miles Holden)
Health Services in the Lakes District
Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Lakes is responsible for the provision (or funding the provision) of the majority of health services in the Lakes district.
These services in our district include:
- Two hospital sites (Rotorua and Taupō)
- Nine continuing care facilities – in addition we have one Hospital Specialist Services – Psychogeriatric Unit
- One mental health inpatient facility
- Four community bases for mental health (iCAMHS (Infant, Child and Adolescent): Adult community at Rotorua and Taupō; and Mental Health Service for Older People Rotorua
- 14 aged related residential care facilities (rest homes)
- 18 pharmacies (11 Rotorua, 6 Taupō, 1 Tūrangi)
- 21 GP practices (5 Taupō/Tūrangi/Mangakino and 16 Rotorua)
- 12 Māori providers, one of which also looks after Pacific interests
- Two primary health organisations
Services A to I
| Acute Pain Service |
| Acute Response Team |
| Anaesthesia |
| Audiology |
| Bowel Screening |
| Breast Screening |
| Cancer Care Nurses |
| Cardiology |
| Chemotherapy and Medical Day Stay |
| Child Development Team |
| Child Protection |
| Children's Health Hub - Te Aka Mauri |
| Children's Outreach Nursing Service |
| Children's Services |
| Children's Unit |
| Clinical Physiology |
| Continence Service |
| Covid Vaccination in the Rotorua and Taupō districts |
| Day Stay Unit |
| Delirium |
| Dental Services |
| Dermatology |
| Diabetes |
| District Nursing |
| Ear Nurse Specialists |
| Emergency Department (Rotorua) |
| Endoscopy |
| Gastroenterology |
| Gynaecology |
| HIV Service |
| Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (iCAMHS) |
| Infectious Diseases |
| Intensive Care |
Services J to Z
| Kia Wana Lakes Baby Breastfeeding Support |
| Maternity Services |
| Mental Health and Addictions Service |
| Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) |
| Needs Assessment Service Co-Ordination (NASC) |
| Newborn Hearing Screening Programme |
| Occupational Therapy |
| Older Person & Rehabilitation Service |
| Oncology |
| Physiotherapy |
| Pokapū o te Taiwhenua Network - Digital health access |
| Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic |
| Primary Mental Health Intervention Service (PRIMHIS) |
| Public Health Nurses and Screening |
| Radiology |
| Renal Satellite Dialysis Unit |
| Ruia Te Hua Oranga: Southern Lakes Adult MHAS |
| Sexual Assault Assessment and Treatment Services |
| Sexual Health - Rangiora Clinic |
| Social Work |
| Sore Throats |
| Special Care Baby Unit |
| Speech Language Therapy |
| Suicide - Info for Family and Friends |
| Te Ngako Rotorua (adult MHAS) |
| Te Whare Oranga Tangata o Whakaue Mental Health Inpatient Unit |
Relocating to the Lakes District
Ready for a fresh start? Whether you're flying solo or bringing your family along, the Lakes District offers a unique blend of nature, comfort and community.
Getting around
Whether you're soaking in a hot spring in Rotorua, skydiving over Lake Taupo, enjoying the tranquility of Mangakino, or trout fishing in Turangi, there's no shortage of memorable experiences to be had.
Getting around
When you arrive
Rental car and airport pick up arrangements
Arriving international candidates may reimburse expenses incurred for rental car, airport pickup, and shipping of belongings, against their relocation package. Refer to your employment agreement and check with your hiring manager.
Driving in New Zealand
You're allowed to use your current driver's license in New Zealand for up to 12 months during your visit. After that, you'll need to change it to a New Zealand license. You can find out more about driving in New Zealand here.
Other ways to travel the Lakes District
- Baybus operates buses in Rotorua. There are a variety of bus options in Taupō.
- Rotorua and Taupō are laid out to encourage the use of bicycles.
- Shuttles and car rental are available.
- Taxis and rideshare services like Uber are also available.
Housing options
Moving here is a breeze. Depending on your employment agreement, you may qualify for a relocation package. We can help making your start as smooth as possible.
Housing options
When you arrive
Short term accommodation
You may consider booking short-term accommodation ahead of your arrival, then search for long-term accommodation when you arrive. The cost and availability of short-term accommodation varies widely through the year. It can be affected by tourism peak season, university start dates and school holidays, to name a few. Familiarise yourself with the city and view available long-term accommodation to ensure it suits your preference. Several considerations to make are proximity to the workplace available nearby schools for the kids, and the ideal size of the property. Some may also find that flatting would be a more suitable arrangement.
Health New Zealand – Lakes provides a list of available short and long-term rental properties to international candidates.
Other temporary accommodation options
Rentals
Familiarise yourself with the locality and view available long-term accommodation to ensure it suits your preference. Local rental agencies can help you to locate a property, otherwise looking online is a good place start! Note that most rentals in Aotearoa are unfurnished however furniture and whiteware can be rented in some parts of the country. Rental properties can be sourced via the following websites:
Rental agencies
- Oneroof.co.nz
- Realestate.co.nz
- Trademe.co.nz in Rotorua and Taupo
- Myrent.co.nz Taupo and Rotorua
- Homes.co.nz
Buying or building a house
We know that moving to a new country is a major move, and buying or building a house there makes it even more significant. If you're a healthcare professional on NZ's Green List of roles, you have a unique opportunity to fast-track your residency process. Normally, only residents and citizens can buy a house to live in in New Zealand. When you can, use the Buying or Building a House tool to find out if you can purchase a house in New Zealand.
Take the next step
Decided to move to Aotearoa, New Zealand?
Fill out our five-minute form with your details, and we'll match you to your preferred location based on your experience and preferences.
Photo locations + credits, left to right: Kayaking in Taupō (Miles Holden); Taupō Bungy (Mead Norton)
We'd love to help, reach out to us!
Interested in relocating to the Lakes District? Our dedicated team is here to provide guidance and support throughout your journey, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.