MidCentral

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

Photo location: Palmerston North - Credit: ManawatuNZ

Friends walking across the Square - Credit: ManawatuNZ
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About the Region

The MidCentral region is in the lower part of the North Island of New Zealand - Aotearoa. The region includes the Manawatū, Horowhenua and Ōtaki on the west coast, and Tararua on the east in its catchment area, with the majority of the population living in Palmerston North city. 

MidCentral District is well-known for its visually stunning rolling hills, rugged mountains and the Manawatū River. The main city Palmerston North, a "university city", is a hub for travel to the central North Island ski fields and river adventures. Palmerston North is also home to the iconic New Zealand Rugby Museum! 

Midcentral
Te Apiti Manawatu Gorge - Credit: ManawatuNZ

Health New Zealand - MidCentral

About Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora is the Government organisation that provides publicly-funded universal health care to 5 million Kiwis. The management and delivery of health services are broken down into 'Districts' across the country, determined by both geographic location and population.

Health New Zealand - Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral 

Health New Zealand – MidCentral serves over 200,000 people in Horowhenua, Manawatū, Palmerston North, Tararua, and Kapiti Coast (The Ōtaki ward). The regional base hospital is Palmerston North Hospital, which has an Intensive Care Unit, Coronary Care Unit, trauma centres, and Regional Cancer Treatment service.

View vacancies in this district

Photo location: Te Apiti, Manawatū Gorge - Credit: ManawatuNZ

Palmerston North Regional Hospital and Horowhenua Health Centre

MidCentral's multicultural workforce provides healthcare to people from all walks of life, committed to supporting all New Zealanders to live longer, healthier lives. With state-of-the art facilities and advanced treatment equipment in our modern hospitals, we offer everything you need for a successful career—and life!

Palmerston North Regional Hospital is one of New Zealand's prestigious teaching hospitals providing leading specialised care and emergency treatment to the MidCentral region. Community Health services like Māori health, mental health, district nursing and inpatient services are also provided from both Palmerston North and Horowhenua Health Centre. 

palmerston north hospital

MidCentral Health Services

Services A to P

BreastScreen Coast to Coast
Child Health
Dental Health
Dietetic Services
Disability Support Services
ElderHealth
Emergency Department
Laboratory
Māori Health Service
Medical Imaging
Medical Services
Mental Health & Addiction Services
Pharmacy
Planned Care (Elective Services)
Primary health organisations and general practice
Public Health

Services R to Z

Regional Cancer Treatment Service
Rehabilitation Services
Renal Specialist Care / Unit
Rural Health
Sexual Health Services
Support and Advocacy Services
Surgical and Anaesthetics
Te Whare Rapuora
Therapy Services
Women’s Health

Horowhenua Health Centre

Day Services

Dental Procedures
Surgical Procedures

Emergency and Urgent Care Services

Ambulance Services
Urgent Community Care Access via Healthline

General Practice and Community Services

Cancer - Community Nurses Long Term Conditions Community Nurse - Diabetes and other Long Term Conditions
Cardiac Rehabilitation Long Term Conditions Community Nurse - Respiratory
Cervical Screening Mental Health - Primary
Child & Adolescent Oral Health Service Mental Health - Secondary care, including child, adolescent and family
Community Cardiology Midwifery Service
Community Laboratory Mobile Community Nurse
Community Pharmacy Neurodevelopmental Therapy
Community Radiology Oncology - Specialist
Diabetes Podiatry Physical Education
Diabetes Specialist Problem Gambling
Dietitian Psychology Support
District Nursing Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme 
Echocardiography Quit Smoking
Echocardiology Recovery at Home 
Eczema Clinic Respiratory - Specialist
General Practice Retinal Screening
Health of Older Persons Service Social Work
Health Promotion Supportlinks
Hearing Assessments  
Long Term Conditions
Community Nurse - Cardiac
 

Inpatient Services

Assessment, Treatment & Rehabilitation
Maternity
Rural Inpatient Hospital Beds

Outpatient Clinics

Alcohol and Drug Antenatal
Cardiology Colposcopy
Diabetes Dietitian
Elderhealth ENT
Gastroenterology Gynaecology
Hearing and Vision (children) Lymphoedema
Medical Occupational Therapy
Orthopaedic Orthoptist
Orthotics Ostomy/Incontinence
Paediatrics Physiotherapy
Podiatrist Pssychogeriatric
Quit Smoking Radiation Oncology
Respiratory (nurse led) Rheumatology
Sexual Health Smokefree
Speech Therapy Surgical
Urology (nurse led) Wound (nurse led)
​Youth Clinic

Relocating to MidCentral

You can dive into a new chapter in MidCentral! Whether solo or with family, MidCentral's perfect mix of nature and community awaits.

Palmerston North Square - Credit: ManawatuNZ

Getting around

Traveling around MidCentral is an experience filled with variety, offering everything from beaches and rugged mountains to city life and tranquil countryside.

Akitio beach

Getting around

Image location: Palmerston North - Credit: ManawatuNZ

When you arrive

Driving in New Zealand

You're allowed to use your current driver's license in New Zealand for up to 12 months during your visit. After that, you'll need to change it to a New Zealand license. Find out more about driving in New Zealand.

 

Other ways to travel around MidCentral
Manawatu families - Credit: ManawatuNZ

Housing options

From coastal, to rural, to urban, there is a wide range of housing options in MidCentral. Each town offers a unique community feel and lifestyle benefits.

Manawatu for families - Source: ManawatuNZ

Housing options

Image location: Manawatū- Credit: ManawatuNZ

When you arrive

Short term accommodation

You may consider booking short-term accommodation ahead of your arrival, then search for long-term accommodation when you arrive. The cost and availability of short-term accommodation varies widely through the year. It can be affected by tourism peak season, university start dates and school holidays, to name a few. Familiarise yourself with the city and view available long-term accommodation to ensure it suits your preference. Several considerations to make are proximity to the workplace available nearby schools for the kids, and the ideal size of the property. Some may also find that flatting would be a more suitable arrangement.

Temporary accommodation options

 

Rentals

Renting is a great way to get to know the area before making a commitment to buy or build a house. Local rental agencies can help you to locate a property. Note that most rentals in Aotearoa are unfurnished, however, furniture and whiteware can be rented in some parts of the country. Searching online is a good place to start, you can check out these websites: 

Rental agencies

 

Buying or building a house

We know that moving to a new country is a major move, and buying or building a house there makes it even more significant. If you're in a healthcare profession on New Zealand's "Green List" of occupations, you're in a unique position to fast-track your residency, bringing you closer to the dream of owning a house in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Usually, only residents and NZ citizens can buy a house to live in, in Aotearoa. When you can, use the "Help us assess if you can buy a house to live in" tool to learn more about the process.

 

Bring your new life to your career

Traveling via motorhome in Manawatu - Source: ManawatuNZ Manawatu Turitea pa - Source: ManawatuNZ

Take the next step

Made the decision to move to New Zealand - Aotearoa?

Fill out our five-minute form with your details, and we'll match you to your preferred location based on your experience and preferences.

Photo location, from left: Manawatū - Credit: ManawatuNZ

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

Interested in relocating to the Mid Central District? 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.

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