About the role
Cardiologists at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora deliver specialist cardiology services across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. Clinical practice may include:
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interventional and structural cardiology roles, including diagnostic angiography, coronary intervention and structural heart disease
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imaging cardiology roles including echocardiography, Cardiac CT and Cardiac MRI
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electrophysiology and pacing roles
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all aspects of general cardiology, including inpatient and outpatient care, and heart failure.
On-call is shared across a team of typically five or more cardiologists, and protected non-clinical time is provided for CME, teaching, quality improvement, and service development.
Depending on location, roles may include regional outreach and collaboration with GPs and primary health organisations to extend specialist cardiac care to underserved communities.
Salary
Senior Medical Officers receive a base salary relative to their level of experience. This is agreed upon at the time of the job offer. There is a 15-step pay scale that SMOs continue to progress through on a yearly basis.
In New Zealand, the salaries and benefits of some roles are determined by collective agreements between unions and employers.
Employment agreements — Health New Zealandexternal link
Additional allowances are paid on top of base salary and vary due to location and service, and are often not specified in the collective agreement.
Allowances
There is a range of additional allowances for:
- on-call
- evening, night and weekend work
- call back
- job size
- recruitment and retention
- special contribution.
Leave
Leave entitlements include:
- 6 weeks of paid annual leave
- a minimum of 10 days of sick leave per year
- 10 days of paid continuing medical education leave (CME), plus the ability to use annual leave tacked onto the end of your CME travel
- 6 to 12 months of parental leave, depending on the length of service, including 6 weeks of fully paid parental leave
- 12 paid public holidays and time in lieu or alternative holiday if rostered on
- long service leave and sabbatical opportunities.
Additional benefits
Additional benefits include:
- an annual continuing medical education (CME) allowance of NZD $16,000 (pro-rated for part-time employees)
- membership subscriptions of medical professional bodies are reimbursed by Health NZ
- your professional indemnity insurance is covered by Health NZ
- if eligible, up to a 6% matching superannuation contribution from Health NZ as your employer
- a relocation package for international candidates.
About KiwiSaver (superannuation savings scheme)
Leadership and career development opportunities
Health NZ encourages Senior Medical Officers to be involved in the design, implementation and performance of facilities and technology involved in the delivery of healthcare services to ensure an effective, efficient and safe workplace.
Specific opportunities vary by location and service; however, they can include:
- support and encouragement for research and publications
- mentorship opportunities for apprentice Junior Doctors/Registrars
- regional and national networks allowing for subspeciality research and practice.
- ongoing development and support for career growth with on-the-job coaching and a variety of in-house training programmes.
To practise as a Cardiologist in New Zealand, you must meet the following criteria:
1. Professional Registration: Hold (or be eligible for) Vocational Registration in Internal Medicine with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). International candidates typically begin on a 'Provisional Vocational' pathway.
2. Specialist Fellowship: Hold the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Practitioners (FRACP) in Cardiology or an equivalent international postgraduate qualification.
3. Annual Practising Certificate (APC): You must hold a current APC to practice. This is issued upon registration and maintained through ongoing professional development (CPD).
As a Cardiologist with Health New Zealand, depending on location and service, your roles and responsibilities may include:
Clinical care delivery
Cardiologists in New Zealand provide comprehensive care across inpatient and outpatient settings, managing the full range of cardiovascular conditions. Clinical responsibilities include:
- Conducting ward rounds, outpatient clinics, and specialist consultations
- Responding promptly to acute cardiac referrals and providing specialist opinions across departments
- Providing telephone advice within five minutes when on call, and attending patients requiring urgent care within 20–30 minutes
- Taking clinical responsibility for cardiology inpatients and outpatients
Procedural and interventional practice
Cardiologists perform and supervise a broad range of cardiac procedures within their credentialed scope of practice, which may include:
- Diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterisation and PCI,
- permanent pacemaker insertion and device follow-up,
- echocardiography including transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) and stress echo,
- exercise ECG and ambulatory (Holter) monitoring,
- CT coronary angiography, cardiac MRI, and SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging.
Community and primary care outreach
Many roles extend beyond the hospital into community and primary health settings:
- Outpatient cardiology clinics at PHO-based facilities,
- case reviews and GP advisory support for patients presenting with cardiac symptoms,
- regional outreach clinics across catchment areas,
- collaborative management with specialist nurses in primary health environments.
Multidisciplinary collaboration
Active participation in multidisciplinary team meetings, departmental meetings, and regional case discussions is integral to practice. Cardiologists work closely with cardiac technicians, specialist nurses, resident medical officers, anaesthetists, radiologists, and allied health professionals to deliver coordinated, patient-centred care.
Emergency and on-call services
Cardiologists participate in equitable on-call rosters shared across the cardiology team, providing 24-hour coverage for acute cardiac services. On-call responsibilities include:
- Urgent consultations and emergency cardiac care,
- telephone advice to colleagues across the service,
- assistance with the management of acute cardiac emergencies.
Teaching and supervision
Clinical teaching forms a valued part of consultant practice. Responsibilities typically include:
- Supervision and teaching of cardiology registrars and house surgeons,
- educational presentations for nurses, cardiac technicians, and allied health staff,
- contribution to post-graduate medical education activities,
- participation in the RACP MOPS programme or equivalent.
Quality assurance and service development
Cardiologists contribute actively to the ongoing development and quality of their service:
- Participation in peer review, departmental audit, and morbidity and mortality review,
- development of clinical guidelines and integrated care pathways,
- contribution to resource allocation and service planning within the cardiology service.
Research and innovation
Opportunities exist to engage with research and clinical trials aligned with organisational ethics standards, including:
- Reviews of drugs, equipment, and clinical management approaches,
- collaborative studies with academic institutions,
- participation in clinical trial programmes at sites with established research centres.
How to apply for a Cardiologist role
To work with us, you must be eligible for registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).
Registration pathway options differ based on where you completed your training, and this determines our application pathways.
Application pathways: where did you complete your specialist training?
Select where you trained to get started.
Our application and recruitment process
For international candidates
The process below outlines the process for applying for a role as an international candidate.
Register your interest
Choose an application pathway from the above options based on your country of study, and register your details.
Register your interest
Choose an application pathway from the above options based on your country of study, and register your details.
Review and contact
Our International Recruitment team will review your details and reach out to you for an initial conversation.
Review and contact
Our International Recruitment team will review your details and reach out to you for an initial conversation.
Referral to local teams
Our team will refer you to a recruitment team in your preferred location(s) for further assessment.
Referral to local teams
Our team will refer you to a recruitment team in your preferred location(s) for further assessment.
Progress to placement
One of our local recruitment teams will be in touch with you to continue the process of placing you in a role.
Progress to placement
One of our local recruitment teams will be in touch with you to continue the process of placing you in a role.
Next steps
Once offered a role, you will also need to apply for:
1. An immigration visa to work in New Zealand
Senior Medical Officers sit on Tier 1 of the Immigration Green List, meaning you are eligible for the Straight to Residence Visa. This is the fastest residency pathway, designed to settle highly skilled professionals and their families permanently from the outset.
Health NZ has a complimentary in-house immigration support service to help you with this process.
Find out more on our international candidates page
2. Registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand
Pathways to registration are listed by country of study below:
1. The Australasian Specialist Route (VOC1 & VOC2)
Best for: Doctors who hold a Fellowship from an Australasian College (e.g., FRACP, FRACS, RANZCP, RANZCOG).
VOC1: If you already hold NZ General registration.
VOC2: If you do not yet hold NZ General registration.
Eligibility: You must hold an approved Australasian postgraduate qualification.
Application process: Apply via the myMCNZ portal. Because your qualification is already recognised as "local," there is no "equivalence assessment" needed.
Supervision requirements: None for VOC1. For VOC2, a brief orientation or oversight period may be required if you haven't practised in NZ before, but it is typically minimal compared to other IMGs.
Benefits: You are registered as a specialist within 10–20 working days. You are eligible for the highest pay scales immediately.
Outcome: Full Vocational Registration.
2. The Australian General Registrant Route
Best for: Doctors who hold General Registration with AHPRA in Australia but do not have a specialist Fellowship.
Eligibility: Must hold full (non-provisional) General Registration with the Medical Board of Australia (Ahpra).
Application process: This is a streamlined pathway under the "Australian General Registrant" category. MCNZ typically processes these in 20 working days.
Supervision requirements: Typically 6 months of supervised practice in New Zealand to ensure familiarisation with the local health system and cultural safety (Te Tiriti o Waitangi).
Benefits: Bypasses the need for clinical exams (NZREX) or the more complex "Comparable Health System" paperwork.
Outcome: Full General Registration in New Zealand.
This is the most common route for doctors who hold a primary medical degree from the UK or Ireland and have completed their internship there.
1. The Fast-Track Specialist Route (VOC4 Pathway)
Eligibility: Must hold an approved specialist qualification (CCT/CCST) and have at least 24 months of clinical experience in that specialty within the last 5 years (including 12 months in the last 18).
Application process: Apply online via the myMCNZ portal with a job offer in hand. MCNZ typically processes these in 20 working days.
Supervision requirements: You will work under a Provisional Vocational scope. Supervision usually involves an orientation to the NZ system and 6–12 months of peer oversight.
Benefits: Rapid recognition of your consultant status; eligibility for senior medical officer (SMO) pay scales from day one.
Outcome: Full Vocational Registration as a specialist.
2. The 6-Month General Route (Competent Authority Pathway)
Eligibility: UK/Irish primary degree and completion of a recognised internship (Foundation Year 1 or equivalent).
Application process: Online application via myMCNZ. Requires EPIC verification of your degree and internship.
Supervision requirements: 6 months of full-time equivalent (FTE) supervised practice with two satisfactory reports.
Benefits: The fastest way to gain general registration; lower initial fees and reduced administrative burden compared to specialist pathways.
Outcome: Full General Registration (unlimited scope).
This is the standardised pathway for doctors from 29 recognised countries:
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands
Americas: Canada, Chile and the United States of America.
Asia: Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
1. The 12-Month General Route
Eligibility: Must have worked in a recognised comparable health system for at least 33 out of the last 48 months prior to applying.
Application process: Secure a job offer from Health New Zealand first. We can then support you with the application process.
Supervision requirements: 12 months of FTE supervised practice. You must submit three satisfactory supervision reports during this period.
Benefits: Provides a structured entry into the NZ health system for those without UK/Irish specific credentials.
Outcome: Full General Registration upon completion.
2. Standard Vocational Assessment (VOC3 Pathway)
Eligibility: For specialists whose qualifications are not on the "Fast-Track" list but are from comparable systems.
Application process: Your training and experience are assessed by the relevant NZ Specialist College. This is a detailed review that can take 3–4 months.
Supervision requirements: Usually 12 to 18 months of practice under a Provisional Vocational scope with regular college-specific reports.
Benefits: Allows for eventual full specialist recognition for those with high-level international training.
Outcome: Full Vocational Registration in your specialty.
If you did not train in a recognised comparable system, your path depends on whether you have a postgraduate specialist qualification that can be assessed for equivalency.
1. The Specialist Assessment Route (VOC3)
Best for: Experienced specialists from any country (e.g., India, Pakistan, Egypt, Philippines, Brazil) who hold a postgraduate qualification.
Eligibility: You must hold a primary medical degree from a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and a postgraduate specialist qualification awarded after a formal training program.
Application process: This is a "paper-based" assessment. Your entire training history, exams, and logbooks are sent to the relevant New Zealand Specialist College (e.g., RACP for physicians) to determine if your training is "equivalent to" or "as satisfactory as" the New Zealand standard.
Supervision Requirements: If approved, you are granted Provisional Vocational registration. You must complete 12 to 18 months of supervised practice and may need to pass a Vocational Practice Assessment (VPA)—a one-day workplace clinical assessment.
Benefits: This allows you to avoid retraining from scratch and recognises your senior status.
Outcome: Full Vocational Registration as a specialist.
2. The NZREX Clinical Examination Route
Best for: Doctors without a recognised specialist qualification or those not eligible for any other pathway.
Eligibility: You must first pass a prerequisite exam (such as PLAB 1, AMC MCQ, USMLE Step 1 & 2, or MCCQE Part I) within the last five years and meet English language requirements (OET/IELTS).
Application process: You must sit and pass the NZREX Clinical, a high-stakes OSCE-style exam held in New Zealand. After passing, you must secure a PGY1 (intern) or PGY2 position.
Supervision requirements: You will work in a Provisional General scope for 12 months, typically at the intern/resident level, regardless of your previous seniority.
Benefits: This provides a "fresh start" and a guaranteed path to General registration for those who do not fit into the streamlined "comparable" categories.
Outcome: Full General Registration after 12 months of successful hospital-based practice.
Webinar: Registration for SMOs
Watch the webinar for Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) on emigrating to New Zealand to live and work.
Our Health Immigration Service, Immigration New Zealand, and the Medical Council of New Zealand ran this webinar to take you through the different steps towards starting a new adventure in New Zealand.
Learn more about moving to our beautiful country, directly from the people who process your applications.
What makes Cardiology in New Zealand different
Expanding services and genuine scope for contribution
Cardiology services at Health New Zealand are growing, not consolidating. Several sites are actively expanding their interventional capability and are looking for cardiologists who want to help shape a service rather than simply maintain one.
- active investment in cardiac catheter laboratory capacity across regional hospitals
- expanding pacing services at multiple sites
- growing heart failure programmes implementing national care standards
- opportunities to establish or develop sub-specialty areas of interest.
Full-spectrum cardiac facilities
Cardiologists in New Zealand work in well-equipped hospitals with access to the full range of diagnostic and interventional cardiac services.
- Dedicated cardiac catheter laboratories performing coronary intervention and PCI
- permanent pacemaker insertion and device follow-up clinics
- full echocardiography suites including TOE and stress echo
- CT coronary angiography, cardiac MRI, and SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging
- exercise ECG and ambulatory monitoring services.
Community outreach and integrated care
Cardiology in New Zealand extends well beyond the hospital walls. Many roles include outpatient clinics at community facilities, working alongside GPs and specialist nurses to serve communities across wide regional catchments.
- community cardiology clinics
- collaborative case management with GPs for patients with cardiac disease
- integrated heart failure and cardiac rehabilitation services.
Teaching, training and professional development
Cardiology roles include protected non-clinical time and active expectations around teaching, with strong CME provisions and college programme participation.
- clinical supervision and teaching of cardiology registrars and house surgeons
- educational presentations for nurses, technicians, and allied health staff
- participation in RACP MOPS programme or equivalent
- CME leave and a generous annual professional development allowance
- clinical research opportunities and access to trial participation at some sites.
Collegial teams and manageable on-call
On-call is shared across established cardiology teams — typically five or more cardiologists — with roster remodelling underway at some sites to further improve sustainability.
- telephone advice response within five minutes; attendance within 20–30 minutes when required
- collaborative team environments with strong professional relationships
- supportive peer review and audit culture.
Explore New Zealand
Whether you prefer the vibrant urban centres of Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, the scenic landscapes of Otago and Nelson, or the close-knit community atmosphere in areas like Hawke's Bay and Taranaki, there’s a location to suit your lifestyle.
Explore New Zealand
Whether you prefer the vibrant urban centres of Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, the scenic landscapes of Otago and Nelson, or the close-knit community atmosphere in areas like Hawke's Bay and Taranaki, there’s a location to suit your lifestyle.