Frequently asked questions
Find many of the answers to your questions here, but email or phone us if you need to know more
Frequently asked questions
Most roles in New Zealand’s public health system are with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, which manages public hospitals and community services across the country.
Ethicare also works closely with private hospitals, primary care networks and medical imaging providers, offering opportunities across a wide range of clinical and diagnostic settings. These roles often provide modern facilities, flexible working patterns and excellent opportunities for career development.
Our partnerships span both public and private sectors, giving healthcare professionals choice, stability and a supportive transition into life and work in New Zealand.
Most full-time healthcare roles in New Zealand involve 37.5 – 40 hours per week, usually rostered across five days. Shift patterns vary by department and may include weekends, evenings, or on-call duties.
If you work beyond your contracted hours, you’ll normally be entitled to overtime or penal rates, as outlined in your collective employment agreement or individual contract. Overtime pay typically applies after 40 hours per week or outside standard shift times. On-call work is also compensated, either with additional pay or time off in lieu.
Salaries for healthcare professionals in New Zealand are set under national collective employment agreements (MECA) negotiated between Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and professional unions. This means your pay, allowances, and conditions are transparent and consistent nationwide.
Your exact salary will depend on your profession, years of experience, and any overseas service that can be recognised for pay-scale placement.
Typical salary ranges (2025):
Registered Nurses: NZD $75,000 – $106,000+ (base salary; higher with shift and weekend allowances)
Clinical Nurse Specialists / Nurse Practitioners: NZD $110,000 – $150,000+
Resident Medical Officers (RMOs / Junior Doctors): NZD $95,000 – $155,000+ including overtime and rostered call
Consultants / Specialists (SMOs): NZD $200,000 – $340,000+, depending on specialty and experience
Allied Health Professionals: NZD $70,000 – $120,000+, depending on profession (e.g. Physiotherapists, OTs, Sonographers, Anaesthetic Technicians, Pharmacists)
Midwives: NZD $78,000 – $118,000+, with penal rates for nights and weekends
Most roles include overtime, penal rates, and on-call allowances on top of base pay, as well as generous annual leave, professional development funding, and relocation assistance.
Key National Collective Agreements (MECAs):
A link to the most up to date National Collective Agreements can be found by clicking on the link below.
Employment agreements – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Yes, international healthcare professionals are a valued part of New Zealand’s workforce, and most find the environment welcoming, collaborative and inclusive. Employers such as Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora have well-established induction and orientation programmes for overseas staff, including cultural training, buddy systems and pastoral care teams to help you settle in.
The experience can vary between hospitals and regions. Smaller or rural centres often offer a more personal welcome, while larger services can feel busier at first. Ethicare stays closely involved throughout your journey, making sure you are connected with supportive employers, peer networks and the practical resources you need to thrive both professionally and personally.
Most hospitals and services in New Zealand have a dedicated process to support international staff during their first few weeks. This typically includes a structured orientation, introductions to key team members, and guided familiarisation with hospital systems, policies and clinical procedures.
You will usually have a nominated manager, supervisor or “buddy” to help you settle in and navigate your new workplace. Many services also provide cultural orientation and wellbeing support, helping you understand the local community and workplace culture.
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora places a strong emphasis on pastoral care and inclusion, and staff are encouraged to ask questions and seek help whenever they need it. Most new arrivals find teams approachable, supportive and genuinely invested in helping international colleagues succeed.
Most full time healthcare professionals in New Zealand receive a minimum of four weeks of paid annual leave each year under the Holidays Act. Many collective agreements provide additional leave for those working shifts, weekends or nights.
You will also receive 11 national public holidays, plus one regional anniversary day that varies depending on where you work, for example Auckland Anniversary Day or Canterbury Anniversary Day.
If you are rostered to work on a public holiday, you are usually entitled to time and a half pay and often a day off in lieu, depending on your employment agreement.
New Zealand’s strong focus on work and life balance means annual leave and rest days are genuinely valued and supported by most employers.
New Zealand’s health system is built on collaboration, trust and a strong sense of public service. Healthcare professionals are respected for their skills and encouraged to contribute ideas and innovation.
Most of the country’s public health services are managed by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, which brings hospitals and community services together under one national system. Alongside this are private hospitals, primary-care providers and medical-imaging services, offering a wide range of opportunities across urban and regional settings.
The system isn’t without challenges, workforce shortages and high demand are a reality, but teams work closely together and the culture is supportive. There’s less hierarchy than in many countries and an emphasis on teamwork, communication and continuous improvement.
You’ll be joining a healthcare environment that values patient care, professional growth and genuine work–life balance.