Wairarapa
Are you ready for a change of pace? Welcome to the Wairarapa.
The Wairarapa region is a slice of paradise perfect for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a peaceful environment to recharge after a rewarding day's work. Whether you enjoy exploring breath-taking beaches, bushscapes, or the region's beautiful parks and cycle ways, Wairarapa has something to offer everyone.
Photo location: Castlepoint Lighthouse - Credit: Miles Holden
Location
Wairarapa is a scenic region in the lower North Island of New Zealand, located east of Wellington. Bordered by the Tararua Range to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east, it features a diverse landscape of mountains, rolling farmland, and rugged coastline.
The region is home to picturesque towns such as Martinborough, known for its world-class wineries, and Greytown celebrated for its architecture and boutique shopping.
Landscape
A place of big skies, wild landscapes, and village charm. It's all just an hour’s drive or train ride from Wellington. From the rugged coastlines to the rolling hills, Wairarapa is a region that captivates the senses. Immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of our landscapes, where endless horizons meet charming villages.
Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, the region offers a perfect blend of natural wonders and rural charm and is a vibrant and culturally diverse region to work, live and play in.
Culture
The region is not just a place of natural beauty but a community rich in Māori history, reflected in local iwi traditions, art, and storytelling.
It is a place where traditions are celebrated through historic pā sites, carvings, and community events. If you’re new to the area, Wairarapa’s deep cultural roots will offer you a welcoming environment that cherishes both its past and its future.
Lifestyle
There are plenty of recreational activities, world-class walking and cycling tracks, and amazing annual events that bring the world to the Wairarapa!
The region offers New Zealand's premier shopping and food destinations thanks to its designer boutiques, specialist shops, cafes, and restaurants along with award-winning vineyards. It is a beautiful location for families to grow and experience life, with excellent schools and activities. This is a place where you can find the work-life balance you have been dreaming of, we look forward to welcoming you and your family soon.
Careers at Health New Zealand - Wairarapa
Health New Zealand – Wairarapa delivers hospital, home, and community healthcare across the region, working with partners to promote well-being and support healthy lifestyles.
With a dedicated and diverse team of 700, Health New Zealand – Wairarapa is committed to our vision of a Well Wairarapa, ensuring people and communities receive high-quality care.
About the district
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.
Health New Zealand - Wairarapa provides core healthcare services to around 50,000 residents in Martinborough, Featherston, Greytown, Carterton, Masterton, and the surrounding rural areas. The district's healthcare services include 24-hour acute and elective care, general and orthopaedic surgery, general medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as mental health and community nursing.
Wairarapa is one of the smaller hospitals in the country with 89 inpatient beds providing comprehensive health services throughout the district.
Wairarapa Hospital
Wairarapa Hospital has three operating rooms for both public and private theatre sessions covering General Surgery, Anaesthetics, Orthopaedics, Urology, Endoscopy, Gynaecology, and Obstetrics, as well as ENT, we also have visiting specialists that provide services onsite including Urology, Oncology and Chemotherapy.
Wairarapa Hospital's private wing, Selina Sutherland is one of only two private hospitals in New Zealand built inside the confines of a public hospital, the private hospital also leases theatre time and support services from Wairarapa Hospital and carries out 500-600 surgical operations each year, funded by ACC and through health insurance.
Wairarapa healthcare services
Inpatient Services
| Bowel Screening Programme |
| Cancer Care Services |
| Duty Team |
| Emergency – HDU |
| General Medical – Surgical |
| Maternity and Midwifery Services |
| Maori Health Services |
| Paediatrics and SCBU |
| Perioperative Services - Theatre |
| Rehabilitation |
| Mental Health Services |
Medical
| Anaesthetics |
| Emergency Medicine |
| General Medicine |
| General Surgery |
| Geriatrician - Rehabilitation |
| Obstetrics & Gynaecology |
| Ophthalmology |
| Orthopaedics |
| Paediatrics |
| House Officers and Senior House Officers (FYs 2) |
Allied Health
| Dietitian |
| Imaging - CT Scanning - Sonographer |
| Occupational Therapy |
| Oral Health/Dental Services |
| Pharmacy |
| Physiotherapy |
| Social Work Services |
| Speech Language Therapy |
Nursing and Midwifery Specialties
| Clinical Coaches – Nursing and Midwifery |
| Clinical Nurse/Midwifery Specialists |
| Duty Nurse Manager |
| Nurse Practitioner |
Community
| Child Development Services (CDS) |
| Community Health and District Nursing |
| FOCUS - Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination |
| Mobile Surgical Unit – Children’s Oral Health Service |
| Wairarapa Community Dental Services- Oral Health (Children) |
Relocating to Wairarapa
Experience a unique lifestyle in Wairarapa, where work-life balance is a way of life. Wairarapa provides easy access to major cities, beaches, wineries and attractions for those weekend getaways.
Getting around
Escape from the hustle and bustle, and explore Wairarapa's hiking trails, riverside picnics and stunning landscapes.
Getting around
Photo location: Greytown - Credit: Jet Productions
When you arrive
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. Learn more about driving in NZ here.
Other ways to travel
- Metlink Wairarapa operates bus routes around the Wairarapa.
- Catch the train from Wairarapa to Wellington, check out the Metlink timetable.
- Taxis and Ubers are available, and many rental vehicle options.
Housing options
Find your perfect place among a variety of housing options. The Wairarapa offers living spaces to suit every taste.
Housing options
Image location: Martinborough - Credit: Jeff McEwan, Capture Studios
When you arrive
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.
Short term accommodation options
Rentals
Renting is a great way to explore and understand the area before deciding to purchase or build a house. Searching online for rentals is a good place to start, as well as local rental agencies to help you find a place. 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
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 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 house to live in in New Zealand. When you can, use this tool to find out if you can purchase.
Take the next step
Made the decision to move to New Zealand - Aotearoa?
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 location, from left: Martinborough (WellingtonNZ); The Wine Bank, Martinborough
We'd love to help, reach out to us!
Interested in relocating to the Wairarapa? 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.