Register for a role

Home > Careers > Careers in Critical Care

Christchurch Canterbury Miles Holden

Careers in Critical Care

Critical Care is the specialist care given to patients with sudden life-threatening illness or injury, usually following an accident, operation, or infection.

Care is divided into two areas; Intensive Care Units (ICU), and High Dependency Units (HDU), until patients are well enough to return to general wards for further care from our wider teams.

Join our Critical Care teams in New Zealand - Aotearoa for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Photo location: He Puna Taimoana, Christchurch - Credit: Miles Holden

On this page

About Critical Care in New Zealand
Critical Care roles
Critical Care units
Our model of care
Hear from our people
Explore Aotearoa

Critical Care in New Zealand

 

Now's the time to join New Zealand's critical care workforce

New Zealand offers a unique and varied experience for Critical Care professionals across its 26 specialised units nationwide. From managing complex trauma cases in Waikato to providing essential care for children in the National Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Starship, Critical Care in New Zealand offers diverse opportunities to grow your skills and make a real impact on patient outcomes.

World-class critical care facilities

Across the country, you’ll find opportunities to work in hospitals that range from large tertiary centres like Christchurch Hospital and Wellington Regional Hospital to smaller regional units in Whanganui, Palmerston North, and Tairāwhiti Gisborne. Each setting presents its own challenges, opportunities for professional development, and close-knit team dynamics.

While Auckland provides leading-edge facilities like the 26-bed Department of Critical Care Medicine (DCCM), the Cardiothoracic and Vascular ICU (CVICU), and the renowned Starship Children's Hospital PICU, these units provide specialised care and complex treatments. With both national and regional patients relying on these services, Auckland is a hub for high-acuity, intensive care.

Collaborative, patient-centred care

Our teams value collaboration and are committed to providing patient and whānau (family)-centred care. Interdisciplinary teamwork is at the heart of our healthcare system, ensuring patients receive the best possible care. Working here means being part of a supportive, innovative community of professionals dedicated to continuous improvement and excellence in care.

A focus on professional growth

New Zealand’s healthcare system encourages both personal and professional development. With a strong emphasis on ongoing education and skill enhancement, critical care workers here have ample opportunities to grow in their careers. Whether you’re building expertise in a specialised field or looking to experience a variety of settings, New Zealand provides a pathway to expand your skills while contributing to the nation’s healthcare system.

Experience a rewarding & diverse opportunity

From providing care in a bustling urban hospital to serving patients in more remote locations like the West Coast or Southland, working in New Zealand offers a rewarding balance of professional challenge and personal fulfilment. You’ll be part of a health system renowned for its innovation, excellence, and inclusivity, while also enjoying the stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and lifestyle New Zealand has to offer.

sulthan auliya WNDXky02ds4 unsplash

Join our Critical Care teams

We're recruiting for roles throughout the country.

Join New Zealand's Critical Care workforce for a rewarding and diverse career across 26 specialised units nationwide. From managing complex trauma to providing essential care for children. As a Critical Care professional, you can grow your skills in world-class facilities. New Zealand's healthcare system emphasises collaboration, patient-centred care, and ongoing professional development, offering opportunities for you to work in settings from large tertiary hospitals to smaller regional units. With locations to suit your lifestyle in bustling cities or remote areas, you’ll enjoy a fulfilling career while enjoying a balance of New Zealand’s stunning landscapes, rich culture, and quality of life.

You may be classed as a Critical Care worker in New Zealand if you work in one of the following units:

  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

  • Coronary Care Unit (CCU)

  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

  • Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PIC)

  • Intensive Treatment Unit/Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU).

Find more information about each workforce below:

Dr Brad, Emergency Specialist - Health New Zealand

Critical Care Specialists

We're looking for Physicians specialising in Critical Care and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Consultants. Find out more by registering with us today.

Register now
Alicia, Critical Care Nurse - Health New Zealand

Critical Care Nurses

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora and The New Zealand Nursing Organisation have committed to achieve pay equity for all members of the nursing workforce.

Register now
Rosanna, Pharmacist - Health New Zealand (resized)

Pharmacists

Hospital, Retail and Industrial Pharmacists are in the Green List of Roles with a Straight to Residence visa pathway!

Register now
Physiotherapist - Source: internal photoshoot (mid shot)

Physiotherapists

Great news! Physiotherapists are eligible for a Straight to Residence visa pathway! Start looking for vacancies or learn more by applying below.

Register now
Tamara & Critical Care Charge Nurse Dawn - Health New Zealand

Dietitians

Dietitians are in the Green List of Roles with a Straight to Residency visa pathway! Look for vacancies here to get started.

Register now
Speech Therapist with patient (stock image)

Speech Therapists

Speech Language Therapists are eligible for a Straight to Residence visa pathway!

Register now
Mt John Observatory, Mackenzie Tekapo - Source Christchurchnz.com

Critical Care Locations in New Zealand

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Levels

ICU levels are defined by the College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM) based on the hospital’s role and available services:

  • Level 3: A tertiary referral ICU providing comprehensive care for critically ill patients.

  • Level 2: Provides high-standard general intensive care, including complex life support, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy.

  • Level 1: Found in smaller or rural hospitals, offering limited specialist services.

Models of ICU Care

Models of care in intensive care units describe how clinical responsibility is managed and which team leads the decision-making for patients admitted to the ICU.

  • Open Unit: The patient’s primary medical or surgical team retains responsibility for care.

  • Closed Unit: A specialist critical care team assumes responsibility, including admission decisions, in a collaborative model.

Explore our units

Click on each district on the map to learn what services are available where.

Te Tai Tokerau

Northland - Te Tai Tokerau

Whangārei Hospital 

Level 2 - Closed-collaborative Operating Model

  • 246 patient beds.
  • Supports peripheral hospitals located at Kaitaia, Dargaville and Kawakawa.
  • 8-bed ICU and HDU 
    • 500-600 patients/annum.
    • 20% are paediatric.
Waitemata

Waitematā

North Shore Hospital  

Level 2 - Closed-collaborative Operating Model

  • 663 patient beds 

  • 14-bed ICU and HDU 

Waitākere hospital 

Level 2

  • 283 patient beds 

  • 6-bed ICU under construction  

Te Toka Tumai Auckland

Auckland - Te Toka Tumai

Auckland Hospital

Level 3 - Closed-collaborative Operating Model 

Auckland Hospital has 3 ICUs, all using a closed-collaborative operating model, with a total of 1171 patient beds, including 219 beds in Starship Children’s Hospital.

The Department of Critical Care Medicine (DCCM)

  • 26-bed ICU and HDU 

  • Including liver, kidney and pancreas transplantation and neurological conditions. 

The Cardiothoracic and Vascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)

  • 26-bed ICU and HDU 

  • For all conditions related to heart, lung and blood vessel surgery 

  • Provides national Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). 

Starship Children’s Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

  • 219 patient beds 

  • 29-bed ICU and HDU 

  • 1,200 children per annum 

Counties Manukau

Counties Manukau

Middlemore Hospital 

Level 3 - Closed-collaborative Operating Model 

  • 905 patient beds 
    • 25-bed ICU and HDU 
    • 1400 patients per year,  
    • 85% are acute admissions. 
    • National Burns ICU 
Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty

Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty

Tauranga Hospital  

Level 2 - Closed Operating Model 

  • Total of 349 patient beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 6 ICU beds 

  • 4 HDU beds 

Whakatāne Hospital 

Level 1 - Open Operating Model 

  • Total of 160 patient beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 2 ICU beds 

  • 2 HDU beds

Waikato

Waikato

Waikato Hospital 

Level 3 - mixed model with two stand-alone units, one closed-collaborative ICU and one open HDU/HAA.

  • Tertiary teaching hospital 
  • Major trauma centre 
  • 759 patient beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 16 ICU beds – closed  
  • 12 HDU beds - open 
  • 3390 patients per year
  • Provides a medical transport service, using helicopter, fixed wing and land transport.
Tairawhiti

Gisborne Tairāwhiti

Gisborne Hospital  

Level 2 - Open Operating Model

  • 115 patient beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 3-bed ICU
Lakes

Lakes

Rotorua Hospital

Level 2 - Open Operating Model

  • 186 patient beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 7-bed ICU  
  • Supports Taupō Hospital 
Taranaki

Taranaki

Taranaki Base Hospital  

Level 2 - Open Operating Model

  • 194 patient beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 6 ICU beds  
  • 7 HDU beds 
  • Supports Hāwera Hospital 
Te Mataua Maui HawkesBay

Hawke's Bay - Te Matau a Māui

Hawkes Bay Hospital  

Level 2 - Closed-collaborative Operating Model

  • 364 patient beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 13-bed ICU and HDU
Whanganui

Whanganui

Whanganui Hospital  

Level 1 - Open Operating Model

  • 138 patient beds 

Critical care unit 

  • Combined HDU/ CCU collocated with the Emergency Department.
  • 3 HDU beds in a combined unit and a further 2 HDU beds in the surgical ward.
  • More intensive patients are transferred to the Level 2 or 3 unit.
  • Flight team for patient transfers.
Capital Coast and Hutt Valley

Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley

Wellington Regional Hospital  

Level 3 - Closed-collaborative Operating Model 

  • Regional tertiary hospital 
  • 484 patient beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 24-bed ICU  
  • 12-bed HDU 

  • 2000 patients per year.

  • operates an aeromedical retrieval service, carrying out more than 1000 missions every year.

Hutt Hospital  

Level 2 - Open Operating Model

  • 322 patient beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 8-bed ICU providing secondary ICU  
  • Tertiary burns care for the region, admitting over 700 patients each year.
Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua Mid Central

MidCentral - Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua

Palmerston North Hospital 

Level 2 - Closed-collaborative Operating Model 

  • 354 patient beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 7-bed ICU and HDU 
  • 500 patients per year
Wairarapa

Wairarapa

Masterton Hospital 

Level 1 - Open Operating Model

  • 89 beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 6-bed HDU collocated with Emergency Department 
  • More intensive patients are transferred to a Level 2 or 3 unit.
Nelson Marlborough

Nelson Marlborough

Nelson Hospital  

Level 2 - Closed-collaborative Operating Model 

  • 140 patient beds  

Critical care unit 

  • 8-bed ICU and HDU 
Wairau Hospital 

Level 1 - Open Operating Model

  • 65 patient beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 4-bed HDU
Te Tai o Poutini West Coast

West Coast - Te Tai o Poutini

Grey Hospital  

Level 1 - Open Operating Model

  • 56 beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 4-bed HDU 
  • More intensive patients are transferred to a Level 2 or 3 unit.
Waitaha Canterbury

Waitaha Canterbury

Christchurch Hospital  

Level 3 - Closed-collaborative Operating Model

  • 836 patient beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 36-bed ICU
South Canterbury

South Canterbury

Timaru hospital 

Level 2 - Open Operating Model

  • 131 beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 8-bed ICU and HDU
Southern

Southern

Dunedin Public Hospital  

Level 3 - Closed-collaborative Operating Model

  • 398 beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 22-bed ICU and HDU 

  • Paediatric and adult 

  • Works closely with Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust for the patient retrieval and transport service.

Invercargill Hospital 

Level 2 - Open Operating Model

  • 157 beds 

Critical care unit 

  • 6-bed ICU and HDU

Explore our model of care

A patient being lifted by two registered nurses on either side

Patient care at the centre

Critical Care in Aotearoa, New Zealand puts the patient at the centre of their care journey.

Read more
Lauren & Rebekah, Registered Nurses - Health New Zealand

Patient care at the centre

The team caring for the patient works together to provide a plan for recovery while involving the patient and their whānau (family) wishes in their care plans and incorporating their spiritual as well as physical health needs.

Our patient recovery journey includes input from a fabulous team of people who work in Aotearoa, New Zealand. You will require an appropriate registration. 

Other Services

  • Patient at Risk Services / Critical Care Outreach Services 
  • Chaplaincy/Cultural Support
  • Social Workers
  • Organ donation service

 

Critical Care may also be known as:

ITU – Intensive Treatment Unit or Intensive Therapy Unit 
CCU – Coronary Care Unit 
NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
PICU – Paediatric Intensive Care Unit
ICU – Intensive Care unit

close
Critical Care Specialist standing with his arms crossed smiling in the hospital corridor

Community of care

Critical Care in Aotearoa, New Zealand has a unique requirement to support culturally safe care and integrates the Treaty of Waitangi into our practice.

Read more
Michael, Critical Care Professional - Health New Zealand

Community of care

Here in New Zealand - Aotearoa we have an open, non-hierarchical team approach to improving outcomes for our critically ill patients' care. This is important for all our disciplines as we focus on delivering equitable care for our communities.

We are linked to ANZICS (Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society) where evidenced practice standards are developed, and minimum standards set.

We are fully engaged in clinical research with units participating in a number of multicentred trials.

You will be working with a group of like-minded people who are focused on the same thing and you’ll have the opportunity to be part of a community both inside and outside of work.

close
A Critical Care Specialist walking towards a rescue helicoopter on a hospital helipad

Roles and responsibilities

Critical Care in New Zealand has a variety of roles and responsibilities relative to the size and geographical location of the unit.

Read more
Michael, Intensivist Doctor - Health New Zealand

Roles and responsibilities

Critical Care has a number of tasks and responsibilities in New Zealand - Aotearoa. Depending on the size and location, our hospitals across the country offer a combination of Critical and High Dependency Care along with dedicated units focused on coronary care and paediatric intensive care.

There is a Critical Care team focus to work, with all disciplines having a valuable contribution to make to support best outcomes for patients. There are specialist roles which include educational roles, research nursing roles as well as focused Allied Health roles.

Our units are collaboratively led by both the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) and Nurse Manager leading the vision for the service.

Other helpful links

close

Hear from our people

ICU nurse Wendy in light blue scrubs standing in a hospital ward.

"The opportunities we've had in our careers have surpassed our expectations."

Wendy, an ICU educator at Dunedin Hospital talks about her move from Liverpool in the UK to Dunedin, New Zealand and the positive effect it has had on her career and family.

"You can ski and surf on the same day!"

Brad is a Consultant Emergency Physician who moved from Kansas, USA to Taranaki. Find out what made him fall in love with Aotearoa New Zealand.

Closeup of Emergency Doctor Brad sitting at his desk in the hospital.
Critical Care Nurse Alicia standing in front of a vacant hospital bed in the patients' ward.

"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."

Critical Care Nurse Alicia talks about the collaborative approach to Critical Care and what she loves about New Zealand - Aotearoa.

Explore New Zealand - Aotearoa

New Zealand - Aotearoa has been in the top 5 countries in the Global Peace Index every year since it launched in 2009, and has a broad range of places to call home, from the bustling metropolis of our main centres to the easy-going vibe of our coastal or rural communities.

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

Northern Region
Te Manawa Taki Region
Central Region
Te Waipounamu Region
Auckland Marina dockboats - Credit: Tim Marshall, unsplash
Kaikoura Night - Credit: Miles Holden
Location: Kaikōura - Credit: Miles Holden
Christchurch - Credit: Miles Holden
Location: Christchurch - Credit: Miles Holden
Paihia, Northland - Credit: Miles Holden
Location: Paihia - Credit: Miles Holden
Napier - Credit: Graeme Murray
Location: Napier - Credit: Gaeme Murray
Te Arai, Auckland - Credit: Miles Holden
Location: Auckland - Credit: Miles Holden
Raglan Rad Onc Midpage Stacked

 

 

  Photo location: Raglan - Credit: Camilla Rutherford  

We'd love to help, reach out to us!

Moving to New Zealand - Aotearoa is a fantastic opportunity and a big step, we're here for you! 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.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.