Southern
Well known for its beautiful natural scenery, which includes towering mountains, stunning fjords, majestic glaciers, and crystal-clear lakes. The region is also famous for its friendly communities, charming towns, and vibrant cities such as Dunedin and Invercargill.
About the Region
The Southern Region is located on the southernmost part of Aotearoa New Zealand's South Island.
The main cities in the Southern District include Dunedin, Invercargill, Queenstown, and Wanaka.
Southern is world famous for its picturesque mountains, fjords, glaciers, coastlines and lakes that are often depicted on postcards and movies. But that’s not all - it's also adventure-central with a great cultural and foodie scene. The many activities on offer include water and snow sports, hiking and mountain biking.
Health New Zealand - Southern
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 - Southern District
Health New Zealand – Southern is a significant and varied employer in the South Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand and collaborates closely with WellSouth Primary Health Network and all of its primary care partners. Southern's coverage extends to communities comprised of 350,000 individuals across an area twice the size of Belgium, serving a wide range of communities similar to the diversity of its workforce and job opportunities.
Photo location + credit: Milford Sound (SouthlandNZ)
Southern Health
Southern is unique in the sense that you’ll have the opportunity to work at our brand new tertiary hospital in Dunedin, in a modern secondary hospital in laidback Invercargill, or in one of our smaller rural hospitals where you could base yourself out of Queenstown (or anywhere else nearby). No matter where you choose, you’ll feel welcome in our friendly and supportive teams - our “Southern smile” is famous for a reason! Our hospitals are big enough to offer you plenty of room for career growth and development, yet small enough to have a tight-knit team to lean on for support.
Southern District Health Services
Services A to M
| Adult Community Mental Health Services |
| Adult Inpatient Mental Health Services |
| Alcohol and Drug Services |
| Anaesthesia - Otago |
| Audiology |
| Breast Care - Otago |
| Breast Screening Programme |
| Cardiology |
| Cardiothoracic Surgery Service |
| Cervical Screening Programme |
| Child and Youth Mental Health Services |
| Children's Health Outpatients - Otago |
| Community Rehab Services - Otago |
| Day Surgery Unit - Otago |
| Dermatology Services |
| District Nursing |
| Dunedin Hospital |
| Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) - Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) Services |
| Emergency Department - Dunedin Hospital |
| Endocrinology - Otago |
| Endocrinology - Southland |
| Forensic Services |
| Gastroenterology Services |
| General Medicine - Otago |
| General Surgery - Otago |
| Infectious Diseases |
| Māori Mental Health |
| Maternity Services |
| Mental Health Advisory Team |
| Mental Health Emergency Services |
| Mental Health Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination |
Services N to Z
| National Bowel Screening Programme |
| National Intestinal Failure & Rehabilitation Service (NIFRS) |
| National Perinatal Pathology Service |
| Needs Assessment & Service Coordination - Dunedin |
| Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) - Otago |
| Nephrology (Renal) Services |
| Neurology |
| Neurosurgery Service |
| Newborn Hearing Screening |
| NZ Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Service (NZFGCS) |
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology Services - Otago |
| Older Persons Mental Health Services |
| Oncology and Haematology - Otago |
| Ophthalmology - Otago |
| Orthopaedics - Otago |
| Persistent Pain Service |
| Plastic Surgery |
| Puāwai Rehabilitation Unit |
| Public Health Nursing - Te Punaka Oraka (Well Child Service) |
| Public Health South |
| Radiology - Otago |
| Respiratory Services |
| Rheumatology Services |
| Sexual Health Clinic |
| Smokefree South |
| Te Puna Wai Ora, Critical Care - Dunedin Hospital |
| Urology - Otago |
| Vaccine Preventable Diseases |
| Vascular Surgery |
| Wakari Hospital, Dunedin |
Relocating to Southern
Imagine living amid picturesque landscapes, with stunning mountains, lush forests and serene lakes. The Southern District is a nature and adventure lover's paradise.
Getting around
If it's adventure and spectacular scenery you're searching for, it's out there! Enjoy the wide open spaces, heritage architecture, wildlife, fishing, boating swimming, art and culture.
Getting around
When you arrive
Rental car and airport pick up
When you get to your destination in Southern, you will be met at the airport by someone from your team or given the applicable details prior to arrival to collect your rental car from the airport. A team member will meet you later at a pre-arranged time. The rental car will be available for personal use for an arranged period of time, of which you will be advised.
Driving in New Zealand
You can legally drive in NZ for up to 12 months per visit with your current driver's license. After 12 months, you will need to convert to a New Zealand license. Useful information about driving in NZ can be found here.
Other ways to travel
- Public transport in Otago and Southland is primarily provided by buses. Information can be found on local council websites: Otago and Invercargill. The Otago Regional Council runs bus routes and ferries in Queenstown.
- Taxis and rideshare services such as Ola and Uber are available in the main centres. There are also various rental vehicle companies in the District.
Housing options
Southern has a variety of housing choices, beautiful natural scenery, and a friendly community that's welcoming to both families and individuals.
Housing options
When you arrive
Short term accommodation
Health New Zealand – Southern will provide you with short term temporary accommodation on arrival into your destination – either Dunedin, Invercargill or Queenstown. We can arrange temporary accommodation for you and those travelling with you when you first arrive into the town in which you’re going to be starting employment with us. We will book this with one of our preferred providers and aim to meet your immediate accommodation needs upon arrival. Southern has plenty of lodges/hotels/motels as another short-term option; These will be furnished also:
Rentals
Renting is a great way to get to know the locality. Local rental agencies can help you locate a rental and searching online is also a good place to start. Note that most rentals in Aotearoa are unfurnished however furniture and whiteware can be rented in some parts of the country.
Rental agencies
- Realestate.co.nz
- Oneroof.co.nz
- Trademe.co.nz
- Homes.co.nz
- Myrent.co.nz: Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown
Buying or building a house
Dreaming of a place to call your own? We understand 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 expedite your residency process. Normally, only residents and citizens can buy a home to live in in New Zealand. When you can, use this tool to find out if you can purchase a house in New Zealand.
Take the next step
Made the decision 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.
Image location + credits, from left: Moke lake (TourismNZ); Te Anau (GreatSouth)
We'd love to help, reach out to us!
Interested in relocating to the Southern region? 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.