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Pharmacy

Passionate about delivering exceptional patient care? 
Then bring your Pharmacy career to Aotearoa, New Zealand and Make a Difference Somewhere Different.

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Community Pharmacists Make a Difference
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Pharmacists

In Aotearoa, New Zealand, Pharmacists work in a variety of roles as part of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team, alongside doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. Pharmacists use their expert knowledge to ensure the safe and effective use of medicines for our patients. You will be working to achieve the best possible health outcomes while having the opportunity to develop your career with on-going development and education.

Pharmacists are on Tier 1 of New Zealand's Green List which means you are eligible for the Straight to Residence Visa and can apply for New Zealand residency before you arrive, provided you have a job offer from an accredited employer, like us!

Register now

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Your ideal career and lifestyle match

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Fast track to residency as a Green List Role

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Expand your skills and career somewhere different

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Opportunities to go beyond your comfort zone

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Move towards your passion and adventure

About the role

As well as potentially working in a pharmacy dispensary, you will find pharmacists working in many different clinical settings, such as inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, departments such as emergency, as well as undertaking the role of a prescribing pharmacist. Some hospitals in Aotearoa, New Zealand have specialised pharmacists working in aseptic compounding and or oncology/haematology units.

Community Pharmacist

Ensure you are fit for registration

To work as a Pharmacist in New Zealand, you must be able to gain registration with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.

Benefits and salary range

Ranges may vary depending on experience; however, Pharmacists usually earn between $63K-$86K per year while more experienced pharmacists may earn between $87K-$119K per year.

  • Career progression opportunities include advanced clinical practice, prescribing qualifications, quality and research roles, medication safety, clinical informatics, education and training, leadership and mentoring
  • Support for postgraduate study may be available 
  • Most of our workforce receive a minimum of four (4) weeks annual leave usually working a set 40 hours a week. Additional leave is provided after five (5) years and for employees who participate in on-call duties
  • Additional payments for those undertaking on-call
  • Minimum of 10 days sick leave per annum.

Required qualifications and experience

To work in Aotearoa New Zealand, you will require an appropriate registration

Other helpful links  
Begin your career

To become a Pharmacist, you need to:

Role and Responsibilities

  • Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) and be committed to implementing the principles within professional practice 
  • Provision of a clinical pharmacy service which may include medicine chart reviews, medication reconciliation, consultant-led ward rounds, multidisciplinary team meetings, therapeutic drug monitoring and answering medicines information enquiries
  • Involvement in interdisciplinary education 
  • Preparing and dispensing medicines
  • Supervision, training and support of technicians, intern pharmacists and students
  • Participation in an on-call service
  • Some hospitals have additional roles for pharmacists, such as Medication Safety, Informatics, Electronic Medicines Management, Cold Chain and clinical trials oversight.

Training and development

  • National career framework, learn more here
  • Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Masters in Pharmacy study options are offered at the University of Auckland and the University of Otago
  • Pharmacist Prescriber: A postgraduate qualification is required to become a Pharmacist Prescriber. The two currently accredited programmes are: Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy in Prescribing offered by the University of Auckland, and Postgraduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing offered by the University of Otago. On completion of the required qualification, you are eligible to apply for registration in the Pharmacist Prescriber scope of practice. Learn more here.
  • New Zealand Hospital Pharmacy Association provide a number of education events across the year.

Internationally qualified candidates

There are several routes to registration in order to practise as a Pharmacist in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Find out below which route is suitable for you. For more information on these pathway registration routes, visit the Pharmacy Council of NZ.

Pharmacist on the phone

Australian registered Pharmacists

Pharmacists who are currently registered in Australia can register via the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement route.

Pharmacist with customer

UK, Canada, Ireland and USA Registered

Pharmacists who are currently registered in Canada, Ireland, the UK or USA can register via the Recognised Equivalent Qualification Route.

Pharmacist doing stocktake

Pharmacists registered in other countries

Pharmacists registered to practice in other countries can register via the Non-Recognised Equivalent Qualification Route.

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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.

Auckland

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

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.

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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.

West Coast

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 moves through employers' hiring 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, our centralised recruitment portal. 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 the 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

Start your journey

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