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Occupational Therapy

Kia ora (hello) – are you ready for the opportunity of a lifetime? We’re looking for Occupational Therapists to join our team in Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

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Occupational Therapists

Aotearoa, New Zealand offers a broad range of opportunities in a range of environments from fast paced metropolitan centres to community focused healthcare in urban rural and remote settings

Occupational Therapists enable people to participate in activities of everyday life. Assessing the level of functional ability of clients who, through a temporary or permanent illness or disability, cannot safely or independently carry out roles and meaningful occupations (activities). Occupational Therapists work with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in valued occupations by providing rehabilitation and education or, by either modifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement.

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Work in a range of clinical areas, and in a variety of settings including: 

  • in-patient hospital including ED
  • intensive care
  • paediatrics
  • neurosciences
  • stroke
  • trauma
  • orthopaedics
  • hand therapy
  • burns and plastics
  • older person's health
  • community-based rehabilitation services
  • vocational rehabilitation
  • mental health services

Benefits and salary range

Occupational therapists can earn between $59,000 to $119,000 per year.

  • Four weeks a year annual leave
  • 10 days of sick leave per year
  • Overtime/penal rates
  • Weekend work availability
  • Automatic Annual Incremental increases and career progression steps
  • KiwiSaver
Training & Development
  • Professional Development Plan
  • Opportunities to attend conferences/study days
  • Career & & Salary Progression (CASP) Framework 

 

Required qualifications and experience

To work in Aotearoa, New Zealand you need registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (OTBNZ).

  • Hold a relevant qualification in Occupational Therapy 
  • Hold a current Annual Practicing Certificate.
Other helpful links  
Begin your career

Roles and responsibilities

  • An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) and implementing the principles.
  • Engaging with local communities for better health outcomes.
  • Assessing and enabling tūroro/patients at that stage in their hauora/health journey.
  • Working with tūroro/patients from diverse social and cultural backgrounds and working collaboratively with whānau, the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure the best outcomes.
  • Identifying and contributing towards service improvement initiatives.

 

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Career and Lifestyle Match

Opportunities to work across different settings within rural communities and hospital-based positions are available! We'll help you choose the right location to match your career aspirations and lifestyle preferences.

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Register to practise

Overseas qualified Occupational Therapists require registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand and hold an Annual Practicing Certificate.

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Explore Aotearoa

Whether you like the big city, the beach, the mountains, or all of the above - we have a broad range of places to call home.

Find out more information about what part of our beautiful country is the best fit for you.

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Te Tai Tokerau Northland

Population: 194,600
Northland is a beautiful and diverse region of Aotearoa, New Zealand with plenty to offer visitors. Whether you're interested in water sports, historic sites, natural beauty or ancient Kauri trees—Northland has it all!

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Waitematā

Population: 650,000
Waitematā is the largest and one of the most rapidly growing districts serving the largest population of all Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand's districts. Waitematā offers a balanced lifestyle that combines the convenience of city living with the natural beauty and community spirit of suburban life.

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Te Toka Tumai Auckland

Population: 500,000
Auckland the "City of Sails" is Aotearoa, New Zealand’s largest city and commercial hub. It’s where metropolitan sophistication meets breath taking natural beauty. Auckland is filled with a variety of warm and welcoming communities, packed with new places to explore.

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Counties Manukau

Population: 500,000
Te Whatu Ora - Counties Manukau serves as a major source of employment within the Counties Manukau area, with over 8,000 individuals being employed across the region.

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Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty

Population: 255,110
The Bay of Plenty is a place of beautiful harbours, long surf beaches and an easy-going lifestyle. We showcase the perfect place to explore a wide range of nature-based pursuits – this gives the people of the Bay of Plenty the chance for a better work-life balance. 

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Waikato

Population: 425,000
The Waikato region is known for its natural beauty, rich Māori culture, and agricultural heritage with something to offer visitors of all interests.

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Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Population: 48,000
In family-friendly Tairāwhiti you will experience an easier pace to life that allows you to pause and reflect, and enjoy a true work life balance. Gisborne’s relative isolation is its charm, surrounded by beaches & nature - don't worry though! Larger cities are only a quick flight away.

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Lakes

Population: 110,000
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. 

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Taranaki

Population: 130,000
Taranaki is a magical place with a majestic mountain at its heart, including the rugged coastline that's world-renowned for its surf. Its residents' love of art and culture, cafes and outdoor living mean it's also fantastic to work—and play!

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Te Matau a Māui Hawke's Bay

Population: 165,000
The Hawke's Bay region is home to many world-class wineries and vineyards, and is also famous for its beautiful landscapes, stunning beaches, and art deco architecture. Additionally, Hawke's Bay is a popular destination for food and wine tourism, outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling, and cultural events such as the annual Art Deco Weekend festival.

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Whanganui

Population: 65,000
Whanganui has something for everyone. Our centrally located region offers access to outdoor activities such as kayaking, skiing, surfing, tramping, cycling, fishing and hunting. Nestled between two snow-capped mountains, on the banks of Whanganui River there is always plenty to do and explore.

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Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley

Population: 445,000
Wellington, the capital city of Aotearoa New Zealand, is a bustling and diverse hub of culture and cosmopolitanism, renowned for its lively cafés, restaurants, and internationally acclaimed sporting and cultural events, all set against the stunning backdrop of a natural harbour. To the north of Wellington lie the regions of Porirua, Kapiti, and Hutt Valley.

Palmerston North Square MidCentral

Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral

Population: 190,000
Get the best of both worlds - the perfect blend of rural and city living with the mountains, city and sea at your fingertips. 

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Wairarapa

Population: 48,000
Located in Masterton in the Wellington Region, Te Whatu Ora Wairarapa is one of the smaller hospitals in the country with 89 inpatient beds providing comprehensive health services throughout the Wairarapa District.

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Nelson Marlborough

Population: 150,000
Nelson Marlborough has been dubbed the artistic capital with a thriving urban centre and one of New Zealand's sunniest regions.

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Te Tai o Poutini West Coast

Population: 32,000
Te Tai o Poutini/West Coast has views of both the mountain ranges and the ocean! It is an untamed natural wilderness of beautiful rivers and rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures. 

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Waitaha Canterbury

Population: 600,000
The Canterbury region is a great place to live and work due to its natural beauty, vibrant economy, cultural diversity, strong community, and high quality of life.

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South Canterbury

Population: 62,000
The South Canterbury district is an area of stunning beauty with great lifestyle opportunities, a safe and welcoming family-friendly environment, affordable living, excellent educational opportunities and a wide range of cultural and sporting facilities.

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Southern

Population: 350,000
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. 

Our application process

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Step 1: Application

Complete & submit your application form for review

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Step 2: Review

Your application is reviewed by Kiwi Health Jobs

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Step 3: Referral

Your profile is referred to your chosen District & employers

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Step 4: Contact

You will be contacted by District recruitment teams

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Step 5: Handover

Your application progresses through employers' recruitment processes

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How Kiwi Health Jobs works for You!

When you submit an application, you will be redirected to Kiwi Health Jobs, a centralised recruitment portal that is owned and operated by Te Whatu Ora. The Kiwi Health Jobs team are here to simplify the recruitment process by providing guidance, answering queries and connecting you to the right people in the Districts that you are most interested to work in. Kiwi Health Jobs also advertises a wide range of vacancies across Health Sector, that includes vacancies at public, not-for-profit and private employers.

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Connecting you to locations across NZ that match your lifestyle

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A choice of relocation packages to help you with the move

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Recruitment expertise to assess your career aspirations

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Our Candidate Kaitiaki (guides) ensure the best outcomes for you

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Settlement support when you arrive at your new home in New Zealand

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Fulfilling career, amazing lifestyle.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, we cultivate an environment that values teamwork and prioritises patient-centred care. We’re committed to supporting and developing our staff, and we offer a wide range of training and development opportunities.

new zealand beach lifestyle

Fulfilling career, amazing lifestyle.

Have your pick of the Kiwi lifestyle to suit your interests! You could live in the bustling metropolis of our main centres, or relax into the easygoing vibe of coastal or rural communities.

We can make your move to New Zealand as easy as possible by providing a relocation support package, practical advice, and assistance with immigration and border requirements.

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Discover Aotearoa - Your New Home!

New Zealand is packed with stunning beaches, untouched natural beauty, world-class dining, and hidden country gems, all in close proximity. There’s a little bit of everything on offer from modern cities to rural towns.

new zealand lifestyle

Discover Aotearoa - Your New Home!

There’s a little bit of everything on offer, from lively modern cities to rural towns that feel like a trip back in time.

Our services are offered from hospitals and clinical centres across the region, so there’s a lifestyle to suit everyone. Make the most of the diversity and amenities in our larger cities or take a break from the fast lane and settle into the friendly local communities.

If you’re tempted by sunny weather, a thriving arts and culture scene, breathtaking scenery and day trips galore, you’ll love it here.

Your journey starts here

For Occupational Therapists, moving to Aotearoa New Zealand is a fantastic opportunity. For any queries concerning the process at any time, kindly send us a note.