Welcome to our series of articles for Doctors and Allied Health professionals thinking about coming to live and work in New Zealand or Australia. We’ll be spotlighting specific locations in detail; the health service providers, population demographic and what doctors can expect from a lifestyle in that region. Of course if you have any questions about a location not yet covered please contact us and we’ll fill you in!
Northland
As its name suggests, Northland is the most northern region of New Zealand and boasts an abundance of natural beauty and outdoor activities. You’re never more than 40 kilometres from the coast! Relatively sparsely populated, with about $160,000 people in the region, overseas doctors and other health professionals will find the opportunity for a truly relaxed lifestyle in Northland.
Current doctor's jobs in Northland: Rural GP, Psychiatrist, General Medicine Specialist, Emergency Physician.
Health Services
All public health services are provided by Northland District Health Board, with four hospitals and a number of community health centres around the North. These community health services are often offered as collaborative efforts between the DHB and local trusts; these communities really get behind efforts to improve the general health of their populations.
Whangarei
The largest hospital in Northland is in Whangarei. It’s a secondary hospital with a 24 hour Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and High Dependency Unit, with helicopter retrievals and transfers. It has a full complement of Medical and Surgical services, Radiology, Mental Health, Paediatrics and Clinical Support Services. The hospital is currently undergoing major redevelopment of its Maternity Facilities and a new staff gymnasium.
There is also a small private hospital and surgical centre in Whangarei.
Northland
As its name suggests, Northland is the most northern region of New Zealand and boasts an abundance of natural beauty and outdoor activities. You’re never more than 40 kilometres from the coast! Relatively sparsely populated, with about $160,000 people in the region, overseas doctors and other health professionals will find the opportunity for a truly relaxed lifestyle in Northland.
Current doctor's jobs in Northland: Rural GP, Psychiatrist, General Medicine Specialist, Emergency Physician.
Health Services
All public health services are provided by Northland District Health Board, with four hospitals and a number of community health centres around the North. These community health services are often offered as collaborative efforts between the DHB and local trusts; these communities really get behind efforts to improve the general health of their populations.
Whangarei
The largest hospital in Northland is in Whangarei. It’s a secondary hospital with a 24 hour Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and High Dependency Unit, with helicopter retrievals and transfers. It has a full complement of Medical and Surgical services, Radiology, Mental Health, Paediatrics and Clinical Support Services. The hospital is currently undergoing major redevelopment of its Maternity Facilities and a new staff gymnasium.
There is also a small private hospital and surgical centre in Whangarei.
Whangarei is a city of 80,000 people and has all the amenities you need. You can live in the city centre, a leafy suburb or 10 minutes’ drive from the hospital in the countryside. If you want to live at the beach, travel just 20 minutes to work.
Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands Hospital is located in the small town of Kawakawa, about 15 minutes’ drive from Paihia. Everybody has heard about the Bay of Islands, right? Their hospital provides primary and secondary care to the people of the Bay of Islands and the Mid North. This is an area with a real focus on community health.
The 27 bed hospital provides comprehensive medical and paediatric services with all
the supporting services and also provides a substantial community health service.
Facilities include a 15 bed Inpatient Ward (a mixture of General Medicine & Paediatric beds), four post-natal beds with two Delivery Suites, a four-bed Accident Department, Radiology and Laboratory services, eight station satellite haemodialysis unit (a support service to the Whangarei Hospital Renal Service), Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy and Outpatient Clinics
Community Health Services include Alcohol and Drug Services, Mental Health, Paediatric Outreach Services, Diabetes, Community Nursing, Public Health and Social Work.
Bay of Islands Hospital is located in the small town of Kawakawa, about 15 minutes’ drive from Paihia. Everybody has heard about the Bay of Islands, right? Their hospital provides primary and secondary care to the people of the Bay of Islands and the Mid North. This is an area with a real focus on community health.
The 27 bed hospital provides comprehensive medical and paediatric services with all
the supporting services and also provides a substantial community health service.
Facilities include a 15 bed Inpatient Ward (a mixture of General Medicine & Paediatric beds), four post-natal beds with two Delivery Suites, a four-bed Accident Department, Radiology and Laboratory services, eight station satellite haemodialysis unit (a support service to the Whangarei Hospital Renal Service), Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy and Outpatient Clinics
Community Health Services include Alcohol and Drug Services, Mental Health, Paediatric Outreach Services, Diabetes, Community Nursing, Public Health and Social Work.
The Bay of Islands has a sub-tropical climate; you can enjoy beach and water activities, go on one of the many nature walks, swim with dolphins, go fishing or explore the 144 islands. Most of them are uninhabited.
Dargaville
A couple of hours north of Auckland, on the West Coast, nestles the sleepy town of Dargaville. Known for growing fantastic kumara (sweet potatoes), Dargaville is the gateway to the Kauri Coast, with its towering kauri trees and lush native bush, sand dune adventures and sunsets second to none.
Dargaville Hospital is jointly owned by Northland DHB and the Kaipara Community Health Trust. Kaipara Health Centre incorporates Dargaville Hospital and the Dargaville Medical Centre (24 hours), as well as the Iwi (tribe) provider, Te Ha O Te Oranga.
The hospital has a 12 bed general ward and a four bed maternity ward and is supported by an on-site laboratory, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy services. Consultants visit from Whangarei Hospital to provide specialty medical and surgical services.
A couple of hours north of Auckland, on the West Coast, nestles the sleepy town of Dargaville. Known for growing fantastic kumara (sweet potatoes), Dargaville is the gateway to the Kauri Coast, with its towering kauri trees and lush native bush, sand dune adventures and sunsets second to none.
Dargaville Hospital is jointly owned by Northland DHB and the Kaipara Community Health Trust. Kaipara Health Centre incorporates Dargaville Hospital and the Dargaville Medical Centre (24 hours), as well as the Iwi (tribe) provider, Te Ha O Te Oranga.
The hospital has a 12 bed general ward and a four bed maternity ward and is supported by an on-site laboratory, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy services. Consultants visit from Whangarei Hospital to provide specialty medical and surgical services.
Kaitaia
New Zealand’s northern most town is Kaitaia and some of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches are right on your doorstep.
Kaitaia Hospital is a general hospital serving a widely scattered population. The 26 bed hospital has a general ward, maternity and paediatric ward with all the supporting services, and also provides a substantial community health service.
New Zealand’s northern most town is Kaitaia and some of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches are right on your doorstep.
Kaitaia Hospital is a general hospital serving a widely scattered population. The 26 bed hospital has a general ward, maternity and paediatric ward with all the supporting services, and also provides a substantial community health service.
The road ends at Cape Reinga, the north of the North. A special, spiritual place, take time to reflect and watch the currents of the Pacific Ocean and Tasman sea meet and swirl together.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information about doctor’s jobs or a new lifestyle in Northland,New Zealand.
Next time: keep an eye out for our next article, about Australia's Victoria region!
Next time: keep an eye out for our next article, about Australia's Victoria region!
