Live surrounded by stunning landscapes

Otago and Southland offer an exceptional lifestyle with stunning landscapes, from mountains to coastlines. These regions combine natural beauty with vibrant cities like Dunedin, Queenstown, and Invercargill, providing great education and culture. Outdoor lovers enjoy hiking, fishing, skiing, and cycling nearby. 

The communities are friendly and close-knit and deliver a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Clean air, safe neighborhoods, and strong community spirit make these regions wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family.

Coronet Peak, Queenstown
Sven Martin

A playground for thrill-seekers and nature lovers

Otago and Southland are adventure havens — offering skiing, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and wildlife encounters.

A playground for thrill-seekers and nature lovers

Otago and Southland are adventure havens — offering skiing, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and wildlife encounters.

Apply for a role in Otago and Southland

Whether you are based in New Zealand or moving here from overseas, Otago and Southland offer rewarding career opportunities in a supportive and collaborative environment.

We welcome applicants who are passionate about equitable, family-centred care.

Find a role in Otago and Southlandexternal link

Working in Otago and Southland

Working in Otago and Southland you can choose 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 will feel welcome in our friendly and supportive teams. 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. 

Services in Otago and Southland

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  • 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

  • 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

Towns and cities in Otago and Southland

The main cities in Otago and Southland include Dunedin, Invercargill, Queenstown, and Wānaka. Smaller towns include Alexandra, Gore, Te Anau, Cromwell, Ranfurly, and Oamaru.

Glenorchy, Queenstown
Miles Holden
Coronet Peak, Queenstown
Miles Holden
Larnach Castle, Dunedin
Camilla Rutherford
Otago Peninsular, Dunedin
Miles Holden
Arrowtown, Queenstown
Miles Holden

Support for international candidates

How we can help you make the move

Whether you are looking to get started or already have your bags packed, our team can help answer any questions you have, no matter what stage you are at.

Dedicated immigration and visa support

Health New Zealand's Health Immigration Service offers free expert guidance on work visa applications, including Green List and Straight to Residence pathways, helping make the move to New Zealand as smooth as possible.

Our Health Immigration Service

Professional registration guidance

Before starting work, international candidates must be registered with the appropriate New Zealand authority, such as MCNZ, NCNZ, or OTBNZ. Health NZ provides support throughout the registration process.

What you need to work here

Transition support

From arrival logistics to finding accommodation, setting up bank accounts, and getting oriented, support is available to help candidates settle confidently into life and work in New Zealand. This includes practical guidance to make your move as smooth as possible, from day one.

Accommodation and housing

Family and lifestyle integration

Health New Zealand helps you and your family adjust to life in New Zealand. This includes school enrolments, access to healthcare, local services, and community connections. Ongoing support ensures you feel confident, connected and supported both professionally and personally. 

Living in New Zealand

Roles available with Health New Zealand

Find a range of clinical and non-clinical roles available across our 19 districts.

Explore our in demand roles

About working at Health New Zealand

Learn more about Health New Zealand as an organisation and employer.

Find out about working at Health NZ

Information for international candidates

Find helpful information on relocating to live and work in New Zealand.

Learn about the support available