Ngarunui Beach Waikato Camilla Rutherford

Waikato

The Waikato region is known for its natural beauty, rich Māori culture, and agricultural heritage with something to offer visitors of all interests.

Photo location: Ngarunui Beach - Credit: Camilla Rutherford

View current vacancies

 

On this page

Health New Zealand - Waikato
Hospitals & healthcare providers
Waikato healthcare services
Relocate to Waikato
Watch: the mighty Waikato
Vacancies in Waikato

The Waikato region is located in the central North Island of New Zealand.

It borders Auckland to the north, Bay of Plenty to the east, Taranaki to the west, and Manawatū-Wanganui to the south.

Waikato includes New Zealand’s longest river—the Waikato, plus internationally significant wetlands and over 1,000 kilometres of beautiful coastline.

In the centre of Waikato is New Zealand's fourth largest city – Hamilton, which prides itself as a centre of education.

The Waikato District as shown in the map of the North Island of New Zealand
Balloons over Waikato - Credit: Hamilton Waikato Tourism

Health New Zealand – Waikato

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 – Waikato spans over 21,000 square kilometres, has a population of more than 425,000 and employs over 8,000 people. It extends from the northern Coromandel region to an area close to Mt Ruapehu in the south and from Raglan on the west coast to Waihi on the east coast. 59% of the population live in urban areas, and 41% in rural areas, of which 23% is Māori (compared to the national average of 16%).

There are 10 territorial local authorities within Waikato district boundaries – Hamilton City, Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, Otorohanga, (part of) Ruapehu, South Waikato, Thames-Coromandel, Waikato, Waipa, and Waitomo.

Photo location: Hamilton City - Credit: Hamilton Waikato Tourism

View vacancies in this district

Hospitals & healthcare providers

  • Waikato Hospital

  • Thames Hospital

  • Te Kuiti Hospital

  • Taumarunui Hospital 

  • Tokoroa Hospital 

  • Southern Rural Health

Photo location: Hauraki Rail Trail, Te Aroha - Credit: Hamilton Waikato Tourism

Hauraki Rail Trail - Te Aroha - Source: Hamilton Waikato Tourism

Waikato healthcare services

A to M

Ahikāroa – Community Housing Support Service
Allied Health
Anaesthesia
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
Audiology
Cancer services
Cardiology
Cardiology, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CCTVS)
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Child Development Centre
Child Hearing Vision
Children's Health
Combined Stroke Service
Community Alcohol and Drugs (CADS)
Community and Southern Rural Health
Community Breastfeeding Support Service
Community Equipment & Supplies
Community Specialist Nurses
Consult Liaison
Continuing Care
Corporate and Performance Support
Crisis Assessment and Home Treatment (CAHT)
Critical Care
Dermatology
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Dietitians
Disability Support Services (DSS) 0 to 65
District Nursing
Gastroenterology
Gynaecology
Health Improvement
Health of Older People (HOP)
Health Protection
Heart Failure
Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ICAMHS)
Inpatient Mental Health facilities
Intellectual Disability Dual Disorder Service (IDDS)
Laboratory
Manaaki Raatonga aa Iwi (formerly iRS)
Maternity Services
Meals on Wheels
Memory Service
Mental Health and Addictions
Mental Health Service for Older People (MHSOP)
Mothercraft

N to Z

Newborn Hearing Screening
Obstetrics
Occupational Therapy
Older Persons, Rehabilitation and Allied Health
Orthotic Services
Paediatric Surgery
Patient Blood Management
Perinatal Mental Health
Peritonectomy
Physiotherapy
Population and Public Health
Psychology
Puawai: Midland Regional Forensic Psychiatric Service
Public Health Advisory and Development (PHAD)
Public Health Nurses
Radiation Therapy
Radiology
Respiratory
Sexual Health
Sleep Clinic
Social Work
Southern Rural Health
Specialist Eating Disorders (SEDS)
Speech Language Therapy
START (Supported Transfer Accelerated Rehabilitation Team)
Strategy and Funding
Suicide Prevention and Postvention
Te Puna Oranga
Thames Family Health Team
Thames Hospital
Triage
Volunteering at Waikato DHB
Waikato Hospital
Waikato Regional Diabetes Service
Waikato Trauma Service
Women's Health
Raglan beach surf, Waikato - Credit: Paul Abbitt
Location: Raglan Beach - Credit: Paul Abbitt
Zealong Tea Estate - Source: Hamilton Waikato Tourism
Location: Zealong Tea Estate, Hamilton - Credit: Hamilton Waikato Tourism
Hobbitton, hobbit door - Credit: Bence Kondor, Pexels
Location: Hobbitton, Matamata - Credit: Bence Kondor
Hauraki Rail Trail - Te Aroha - Source: Hamilton Waikato Tourism
Location: Hauraki Rail Trail - Credit: Hamilton Waikato Tourism
Bridal Veil Falls - Raglan - Source: Wim Hovens, unsplash
Location: Bridal Veil Falls- Credit: Wim Hovens

Relocating to Waikato

Discover true work-life balance, natural beauty and boundless opportunities that await you in Waikato.

Victoria on the river - Credit: Hamilton Waikato Tourism (resized)

Getting around

As New Zealand's 4th largest city, you can experience the best of both worlds: a tranquil escape for your outdoor adventures and a little bit of city life.

Read more
Victoria on the river Hamilton - Credit: Hamilton Waikato Tourism

Getting around

Photo location: Hamilton - Credit: Hamilton & Waikato Tourism

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. Learn more about driving in NZ here.

 

Other ways to travel around the Waikato
  • Busit for Hamilton local bus routes, make sure you purchase a Bee card to use these buses
  • Intercity Bus for national buses from getting to and from the region
  • Te Huia train service 
  • Ride sharing services Wakarider.co.nz, Uber, Ola are also available as well as various rental vehicle options.

 

Register your details close
family of 4 moving in - Source: Canva

Housing options

Find your perfect place with a range of housing options! The region includes bustling cities like Hamilton, as well as smaller towns and rural areas, each with its unique charm and types of homes available.

Read more
family of 4 all moved in banner - Source: Canva

Housing options

When you arrive

Short-term accommodation options

 

Rentals

Renting is a great way to explore and understand the area before deciding to purchase or build a house. Local rental agencies can assist you in finding a rental property, and searching online is 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

We understand that moving to a new country is already a big step, let alone buying or building a home. If you're a healthcare professional on NZ's Green List 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.

 

Moving to New Zealand close

Watch: the mighty Waikato

The Mighty Waikato, and its metropolitan hub of Hamilton, is situated in the central North Island.

The area is renowned for its natural beauty, powerful history and out-of-this-world experiences. Visitors to the Waikato region will enjoy a wealth of world-class attractions, outdoor adventures, arts and culture and gourmet delights.

Go underground and experience the subterranean wonders of the Waitomo Caves; experience movie magic with a slice of the ‘real Middle-earth’ at Hobbiton Movie Set; relax in the bohemian west coast town of Raglan - famous for its left-hand surf breaks; or while away a few hours in the magical Hamilton Gardens.

The Mighty Waikato is the perfect place to play, relax, connect and explore in.

Video: The Mighty Waikato - Credit: Hamilton & Waikato Tourism

Surfing in Raglan - Credit: Camilla Rutherford
FMG Stadium Waikato - Credit: Hamilton Waikato Tourism Waitomo Glowworm Caves - Credit: Hamilton Waikato Tourism

Take the next step

Decided 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: Waitomo Glowworm Caves (Hamilton Waikato Tourism); FMG Stadium (Hamilton Waikato Tourism)

Register with Health New Zealand