Nursing in NZ is quite progressive in terms of focusing on patient care because we consider our patient’s spiritual and physical health, their wellbeing and whānau (family).

Everyone here is just amazing to work with and people are very inviting. Our teams are always willing to help out, especially when it comes to education.

Outside of work, me and my family find it easy to do activities, like going on hikes or visiting one of the many Lakes around New Zealand. During summer, there are lots of festivals.

If you are thinking about coming to NZ, why not?! Just do it, you only have one life and you’ll regret it if you don’t.

I think Aotearoa is an amazing place with great people and I wouldn't live anywhere else. It's beautiful, it's safe and I can send my children to school without any fear. The outdoors are just so beautiful, with blue skies – it is called the land of the long white cloud.

I love Nursing in New Zealand, it’s a real privilege to work here with a great team. I find that the collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team is quite unique – it’s a real team approach. It’s not doctors ordering nurses around, we just all get together to give the patients the best care.

New Zealand is a magical amazing place. The beaches are pristine and there is so much wildlife. We love seeing the little blue penguins!

What I like about nursing in NZ is the challenge that it brings and the culture. I’m part of a learning group that provides hands-on teaching to new and current staff to refresh their clinical skills. It is less hierarchical here compared to where I have come from. Everyone listens and provides their input for interventions or procedures for the patient.

When I’m not at work you would see me with my child at the park. Living in New Zealand, you can have the city life and then within half an hour’s drive, you can easily access nature!

People in New Zealand are one of the best in the world, they are kind and very generous here. You can walk on the sidewalk and just say hi and even talk to strangers. It’s a good place for a kid to grow or to pursue a family.

Immigration information 

The New Zealand Government is actively encouraging skilled workers from overseas to work in New Zealand. Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand is an Accredited Employer, we are able to employ migrants via the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Once you become part of the Te Whatu Ora whānau we’ll support you with settling into New Zealand and your new role.

To familiarise yourself with the resources, tools, and guidance offered by New Zealand Immigration and explore visa options for you and your whānau head to their website.

Nursing Registration information 

To work as a nurse in Aotearoa, New Zealand you must become registered to practice and hold an Annual Practicing Certificate. To practice in Aotearoa, New Zealand you must be vaccinated against COVID-19.  

Internationally qualified nurses who meet Nursing Council of New Zealand standards may apply to become registered to practice in New Zealand. 

To find out more information including the details you’ll need before you apply, please read the information outlined at the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

Relocation expenses information

Relocation packages are available and can help with expenses incurred in moving to Aotearoa, New Zealand. If you are eligible there may be standard relocation support available for expenses such as your flights, incidentals or moving costs. Your employer will discuss what they can help with and how you might be eligible. 

Get ready for New Zealand

Check out this link to create a personalised list of all the things you will need to do to get ready to move to Aotearoa New Zealand. 

If there is anything on your list you need help with, let us know!

Making Aotearoa, New Zealand your home. Schooling, housing, lifestyle, whānau, and handy information 

It's time to experience the Kiwi lifestyle for yourself...we have many overseas health professionals who have chosen to make Aotearoa, New Zealand home.  Browse the links below and discover information about settling into the Kiwi workplace and make your move a success. 

Our regions and cities

The school system 

Housing in New Zealand

Settlement Services 

Guide to New Zealand Workplaces

Cost of Living Calculator

Personalised Checklist for your Journey

If there is anything we’ve missed, ask us a question, we’re here to help!

You will enjoy working in a supportive, close-knit team focused on improving and optimising health and independence outcomes for patients. 

Our Hospitals are diverse teams, we recognise that a diverse and inclusive workforce achieves the best outcomes for our patients and communities. 

Staff have the ability to function well in a multi-disciplinary team while having the confidence to be a strong advocate for either stable or acutely unwell patients under their care.

Working in Aged Residential Care allows nurses to impact the lives of older New Zealanders and provide a positive aging experience.

You will be working in a nurse led service where you will have the opportunity to practice at full scope, using your clinical knowledge and judgment you’ll provide care and support for residents having a meaningful impact on their lives and their families.

Nurses in aged residential care provide care that reflects a resident’s individuality and their right to choice, respect and dignity.

As a registered nurse you will be responsible to oversee the care provided by the caregiver workforce, coordinate and plan daily interventions for individuals and provide expert assessment to inform their ongoing care. 

Revitalise your nursing passion and feel a sense of pride being an essential aspect of providing a life-saving service to New Zealanders by collecting, processing and distributing blood and blood products.

Working for the New Zealand Blood and Organ Service (NZBS), our Registered Nurses undertake donor health assessments and perform whole blood, plasma and platelet collection procedures. If leadership is your forte, some of our Registered Nurses proceed to coordinate, manage, and conduct collection sessions. Keep your patient skills honed with the Therapeutic Apheresis and Therapeutic Venesection teams, autonomously caring for patients in our hemochromatosis clinic or completing hospital-based stem cell harvests and plasma exchanges. As a nurse at NZBS you will enjoy a better work-life balance (no nights!) while working with healthy donors. Besides being able to participate in professional development and advancement, the position also entails the opportunity to travel through the country (on mobile blood drives).

Working alongside a dedicated team of Registered Nurses and Doctors to ensure patients gain the best possible health outcomes and providing first contact focused care to whānau (families) or individuals. 

As the name suggests, Primary Health care is often the first stop for people requiring health care in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Rewarding and challenging, with something new and interesting happening every day. Primary Health Care is care in the community setting such as General Practices, Māori Health Services, Pacific Health Services and other community based health services

In most cases patients will book an appointment to see Primary Health Care providers. In this setting you might be required to provide  in-depth triage assessments of patients coming into the clinic, deliver patient education, vaccinations and plastering wound care.