Roys Peak Wanaka Tourism NZ

Southern

You can set your sights on Southern where you can truly have it all-advancing your career whilst living your best life amidst some of the most stunning scenery New Zealand has to offer. 

Photo location: Roy's Peak, Central Otago - Credit: TourismNZ

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About the region
Health New Zealand - Southern
Southern Health
Vacancies in this district
Relocate to the district
Southern health services

The main cities in the Southern District include Dunedin, Invercargill, Queenstown, and Wānaka.

Southern is world famous for its picturesque mountains, fiords, glaciers, coastlines, and lakes that are often depicted on postcards and movies.

But that’s not all - it's also adventure-central with a great cultural and foodie scene. 

The many activities on offer include water and snow sports, hiking, and mountain biking. Additionally, the region boasts unique wildlife encounters, such as spotting albatrosses, penguins, and seals along its rugged coastline.

It is also home to the iconic Milford Sound, often referred to as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World,' where visitors can cruise through breathtaking scenery surrounded by towering peaks and cascading waterfalls.

Southern
Larnach Castle (portrait) - Source: DunedinNZ

Health New Zealand - Southern

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 – Southern is a significant and varied employer in the South Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand and collaborates closely with WellSouth Primary Health Network and all of its primary care partners.

Southern's coverage extends to communities comprised of 350,000 individuals across an area twice the size of Belgium, serving a wide range of communities similar to the diversity of its workforce and job opportunities.

View vacancies in this district

Photo location: Larnarch Castle, Dunedin - Credit: DunedinNZ

Southern Health

Southern is unique in the sense that you’ll have the opportunity to work at our brand new tertiary hospital in Dunedin, in a modern secondary hospital in laidback Invercargill, or in one of our smaller rural hospitals where you could base yourself out of Queenstown (or anywhere else nearby).

No matter where you choose, you’ll feel welcome in our friendly and supportive teams - our “Southern smile” is famous for a reason! Our hospitals are big enough to offer you plenty of room for career growth and development, yet small enough to have a tight-knit team to lean on for support. 

Infant checkup by Southern Health

Southern District Health Services

Services A to M

Adult Community Mental Health Services
Adult Inpatient Mental Health Services
Alcohol and Drug Services
Anaesthesia - Otago
Audiology
Breast Care - Otago
Breast Screening Programme
Cardiology
Cardiothoracic Surgery Service
Cervical Screening Programme
Child and Youth Mental Health Services
Children's Health Outpatients - Otago
Community Rehab Services - Otago
Day Surgery Unit - Otago
Dermatology Services
District Nursing
Dunedin Hospital
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) - Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) Services
Emergency Department - Dunedin Hospital
Endocrinology - Otago
Endocrinology - Southland
Forensic Services
Gastroenterology Services
General Medicine - Otago
General Surgery - Otago
Infectious Diseases
Māori Mental Health
Maternity Services
Mental Health Advisory Team
Mental Health Emergency Services
Mental Health Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination

Services N to Z

National Bowel Screening Programme
National Intestinal Failure & Rehabilitation Service (NIFRS)
National Perinatal Pathology Service
Needs Assessment & Service Coordination - Dunedin
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) - Otago
Nephrology (Renal) Services
Neurology
Neurosurgery Service
Newborn Hearing Screening
NZ Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Service (NZFGCS)
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Services - Otago
Older Persons Mental Health Services
Oncology and Haematology - Otago
Ophthalmology - Otago
Orthopaedics - Otago
Persistent Pain Service
Plastic Surgery
Puāwai Rehabilitation Unit
Public Health Nursing - Te Punaka Oraka (Well Child Service)
Public Health South
Radiology - Otago
Respiratory Services
Rheumatology Services
Sexual Health Clinic
Smokefree South
Te Puna Wai Ora, Critical Care - Dunedin Hospital
Urology - Otago
Vaccine Preventable Diseases
Vascular Surgery
Wakari Hospital, Dunedin
St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool - Dunedin (high res)
Location: Saint Clair Hot Saltwater Pools, Dunedin
Queens Park - Invercargill, Southland - Credit: GreatSouth
Location: Invercargill - Credit: GreatSouth
Wanaka wharf - Credit: Molly Hope
Location: Wānaka - Credit: Molly Hope
Steamers Beach, Te Anau - Credit: Great South
Location: Steamers Beach, Te Anau - Credit: GreatSouth
Kinross winery - Credit: QueenstownNZ.co.nz
Location: Kinross Winery, Queenstown - Credit: QueenstownNZ

Relocating to Southern

Imagine living amid picturesque landscapes, with stunning mountains, lush forests and serene lakes. The Southern District is a nature and adventure lover's paradise.

Wanaka wharf - Credit: Molly Hope

Getting around

If it's adventure and spectacular scenery you're searching for, it's out there! Enjoy the wide open spaces, heritage architecture, wildlife, fishing, boating swimming, art and culture.

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Wanaka wharf - Credit: Molly Hope

Getting around

Image location: Wānaka - Credit: Molly Hope

When you arrive

Driving in New Zealand

You can legally drive in NZ for up to 12 months per visit with your current driver's license. After 12 months, you will need to convert to a New Zealand license. Useful information about driving in NZ can be found here.

Other ways to travel
  • Public transport in Otago and Southland is primarily provided by buses. Information can be found on local council websites: Otago and Invercargill. The Otago Regional Council runs bus routes and ferries in Queenstown. 
  • Taxis and rideshare services such as Ola and Uber are available in the main centres. There are also various rental vehicle companies in the District.
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Housing options

Southern has a variety of housing choices, beautiful natural scenery, and a friendly community that's welcoming to both families and individuals.

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Housing options

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. Southern has plenty of lodges/hotels/motels. These will be furnished also:

 

Rentals

Renting is a great way to get to know the locality. Local rental agencies can help you locate a rental and searching online is also a good place to start. Note that most rentals in Aotearoa are unfurnished however furniture and whiteware can be rented in some parts of the country. 

Rental agencies

 

Buying or building a house

Dreaming of a place to call your own? We understand 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 a healthcare professional on NZ's Green List of roles, you have a unique opportunity to expedite your residency process. Normally, only residents and citizens can buy a home to live in in New Zealand. When you can, use this tool to find out if you can purchase a house in New Zealand.

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Te Anau cycling Southland - Credit: GreatSouth Moke Lake - Source: TourismNZ

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 + credit, from left: Moke Lake, Queenstown (TourismNZ); Te Anau (GreatSouth)

Register with Health New Zealand