A big thank you to Global Medical Staffing for sponsoring this post! Global Medical Staffing is a locum tenens agency with a worldwide reach that places U.S. doctors in New Zealand, Australia, Guam, Saipan, the Caribbean, Canada, and of course, the United States, and are regularly expanding into new countries. This worldwide reach means that GMS is probably there if a location is placeable.
New Zealand is one of the most popular destinations for international locum tenens assignments — thanks to its dramatic landscapes, welcoming people, and need for doctors across specialties. But what’s it really like to live and work there — not just clinically, but day-to-day with your family, spouse, or pets? We spoke with physicians placed by Global Medical Staffing to find out.
Why Physicians Choose New Zealand
Doctors are drawn to New Zealand for many reasons: renewal, adventure, and balance.
- Professional reset. “I was a little burned out with my schedule,” recalls family physician Dr. Elizabeth Dayton. “I was worn out and ready for a change.”
- Family adventure. Dr. Jason Heine and his wife, Shauna, saw New Zealand as the perfect window of opportunity: “We initially said that we would go when our youngest daughter turns five, because we felt like she’d be old enough to hopefully remember the experience, but our oldest wouldn’t be so old that we’d be tearing her away from her preteen friendships and activities,”
Blending work and travel. Radiologist Dr. Greg Kapala first visited New Zealand as a tourist. “I love hiking—it’s a big thing for me.” Since 2008, he has returned to New Zealand again and again for three- and six-month stints.
Preparing For The Move: Banking, Visas, and Pets
Moving abroad takes preparation. Here’s what physicians wish they’d known.
Banking
Emergency physician Dr. Tracy Parrish wishes she had known that “Everything in New Zealand is by appointment. You can’t just walk in.” She recommends setting up your bank account online a couple of weeks before your move, transferring funds, and booking an appointment for the day after you arrive. Once you’re in New Zealand, go to your appointment at the bank and activate your account.
A bank account is essential for securing housing and applying for your IRD tax number (New Zealand’s equivalent of a Social Security number), which you’ll need to get paid.
Visas and Medical Exams
Global Medical Staffing helps physicians navigate their visas, but spouses’ and children’s visa applications can take longer. Dr. Parrish recommends completing the whole family’s visa medical exams and paperwork before departure, because sorting their paperwork can take up to four months.
Pets
Import rules are strict, expect vaccines, blood tests, and a 10-day quarantine to ensure they are rabies—and disease-free. Once the paperwork is complete, the next step is to prepare your pet for the long flight. This means using an airline-approved crate and following specific guidelines to ensure your pet’s safety during travel.
Given the cost and effort, many doctors leave pets with family if their assignment is short-term.
Living in New Zealand
Every day life feels familiar yet distinct.
Housing is one of the biggest lifestyle shifts. Some employers provide furnished housing near the worksite, while others offer a stipend. Rent is usually listed by the week, not the month.
Many rentals are modest but comfortable, though older homes often lack insulation or central heating. “Unless it’s a new house, heating systems are probably nonexistent,” says Heather Van Dyk Smith, who moved to New Zealand with her physician husband. Kiwis typically rely on fireplaces, space heaters, and electric blankets in winter. Newer homes are better insulated, so ask for proof before signing. Another quirk: most homes don’t have window screens, though mesh can be added if needed. Monthly rental inspections are also common, with 48 hours’ notice required.
If you’re finding your own place, popular sites include realestate.co.nz, Trade Me, and propertybrokers.co.nz. Families with pets or those wanting more space often look at “lifestyle properties” outside town. Heather’s family chose this route: “We ended up on a small acreage next to farms, and it was beautiful—we met great people there.”
Grocery and fuel costs are higher, but farmers’ markets provide affordable fresh produce. Driving is on the left side of the road, and even short distances can take longer than expected.
School uniforms are required for children attending schools in New Zealand, and the grading system differs from the U.S., but most adjust quickly.
Utilities also work differently. Power bills can spike if you rely on space heaters, and rural homes may use water tanks.
Appliances aren’t always included, but low-cost rental companies will deliver and service them. “For three appliances, you pay $20 a week, and if anything breaks, they’ll come and fix it,” says Heather.
Practicing Medicine in New Zealand
Clinically, locum tenens physicians in New Zealand gain valuable new skills.
Cultural care: Many doctors work with Māori communities and experience the country’s bicultural approach. “Even government officials greet the country first in Te Reo Māori, the native language, and children learn the language in school.”
Resource-conscious care: In New Zealand’s socialized system, physicians rely on strict criteria for tests and imaging.
Common conditions: Physicians treat high rates of skin cancer, asthma, and gout. “I learned dermoscopy, which helps me better assess lesions. There’s a hole in the ozone layer there, and that’s maybe why people are so sun-exposed and why the rates of skin cancer—melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell—are so high.” says Dr. Heine. It’s a skill set he now carries into his U.S. practice.
Malpractice environment: New Zealand’s doctor-friendly malpractice system is a relief. “I appreciate not having that cloud hanging over my shoulder,” says Dr. Kapala.
Life Outside of Work
The lifestyle perks are unforgettable.
Dr. Dimitrov lives right on the beach in Ahipara: “After work, I go swimming, which is pretty awesome. We saw dolphins right outside our window.” Her family spends weekends hiking and exploring.
The Heines loved living within walking distance of the ocean, hiking trails, and their daughter’s preschool. Dr. Heine often biked into the countryside before or after work, and he also signed up his oldest daughter for horse riding lessons.
Dr. Kapala treasures the flexibility locums gave him to hike, explore, and even build friendships with colleagues he now visits abroad. “The scenery is spectacular. It’s got really good food. It’s just very comfortable for me. It’s like going home every time I go back there,” he says.
How Global Medical Staffing Supports You
Nearly every physician emphasized how critical Global Medical Staffing’s support was in making the transition smooth:
- Visas, housing, logistics: handled with step-by-step guidance.
- Continuity: one consistent agency minimizes paperwork fatigue.
- Advocacy: recruiters anticipate challenges and smooth the bumps.
“They arranged housing and visas for my spouse and daughter,” says Dr. Dayton. “My recruiter and team have been such an advocate for me, and I’ve really, really appreciated how they’ve supported me and my family.”
Across all the stories, the common thread is reassurance: physicians didn’t feel like they were navigating international relocation alone. GMS’s recruiters not only knew the steps but anticipated the bumps, ensuring that once doctors arrived in New Zealand, they could settle into their work and their new life with confidence.
Advice for Locum Tenens Physicians in New Zealand
- Plan early. Start banking, visas, and pet arrangements months ahead.
- Be flexible. Expect differences in housing, healthcare delivery, and daily routines.
- Immerse yourself. Learn about Māori culture, try local foods, and connect with colleagues.
- Take advantage of time off. Long weekends are perfect for exploring beaches, mountains, and cities.
- Rely on your recruiter. Global Medical Staffing’s support reduces stress and helps you focus on the experience.
Bottom Line
Working locum tenens in New Zealand isn’t without its challenges—from paperwork to drafty rentals—but physicians say the rewards far outweigh them.
“I feel like I’m enjoying my life more,” says Dr. Dayton. “I have a lot more balance, more time for family, and I’ve been able to travel and see the world. I thought locums might be temporary, but now I think I’ll continue until I retire.”
Curious about your own New Zealand adventure?
👉 Explore all New Zealand jobs with Global Medical Staffing.
Megan Lee is a writer, editor, and SEO who helps companies better connect their content to their audience. When not traveling, Megan adventures around her Midwest home base where she likes to attend theme parties, ride her bike and cook Asian food.
