I recently returned from a week in New Zealand, and it reminded me just how much I enjoy spending time there.
Like many Australians, I think I had started to take New Zealand for granted. It's our closest neighbour, culturally familiar and only a short flight away. Yet spending a week travelling, meeting clients and exploring parts of the country reminded me that it is a truly remarkable place in its own right, and one that deserves a serious look from any doctor weighing up their next move.
There is something uniquely refreshing about the Kiwi approach to life and business. New Zealanders are pragmatic, straightforward and remarkably easy to work with. Conversations tend to focus on solving problems rather than creating them. There is also a legendary humility that runs through Kiwi culture. Despite impressive achievements, people rarely feel the need to oversell themselves. In a world that often rewards self-promotion, that quiet confidence is both unusual and welcome.
From a business perspective, the trip reinforced why New Zealand remains an important market for Wavelength. There is no shortage of demand for doctors and healthcare professionals across the country, particularly outside the main centres. While salaries may not always match Australia's on a simple dollar for dollar comparison, that only tells part of the story. When you factor in housing costs, lifestyle, commute times, community and access to some of the world's most spectacular natural environments, New Zealand presents a compelling proposition for many doctors and their families.
What surprised me on this trip was how much easier the practical path has become. Doctors currently sit on Immigration New Zealand's Green List in the Tier 1 category, which means an eligible doctor with a job offer from an accredited employer can apply directly for residence, without needing to work in New Zealand first on a temporary visa. That is a significant advantage over the pathways many other professions face.
Registration has also become more efficient. The Medical Council of New Zealand runs a fast track pathway for doctors trained in Australia, the UK and Ireland across specialties including anaesthesia, dermatology, emergency medicine, general practice, internal medicine, pathology and psychiatry, with applications typically processed within 20 working days. All overseas-trained doctors begin their New Zealand career under a period of supervision, with the length depending on the registration pathway, but the barriers to entry are lower than many doctors assume.
For Australian doctors in particular, this combination of familiar systems, a shorter registration timeline and a straightforward residence pathway makes New Zealand a genuinely practical option, not just an appealing one.
Read more about working as a Doctor in New Zealand.
Beyond the meetings, I managed to spend time around Rotorua, an area that showcases some of the very best of New Zealand. The Maori heritage is woven into everyday life in a way that feels authentic and deeply connected to place. The volcanic landscapes are unlike anywhere else I've visited, with steaming geothermal fields, bubbling mud pools and hydrothermal activity constantly reminding visitors that this is a living, breathing landscape shaped by powerful natural forces.
One lifelong ambition was finally fulfilled when I visited the famous Hobbiton movie set. What began as a film location has evolved into something much more than a collection of props. It is now a carefully curated tribute to the world created by Tolkien and brought to life on screen. Even for someone who isn't a dedicated Tolkien enthusiast, it is impossible not to appreciate the craftsmanship, attention to detail and sense of wonder that the place creates.
Perhaps the most personal moment of the trip was finally making the pilgrimage to Bethells Beach, west of Auckland. For obvious reasons, it has always been on my list. Sharing my surname immediately creates a connection, but what surprised me was just how beautiful it was. The dramatic black sand, rugged coastline and vast expanse of ocean make it one of the most striking beaches I have visited anywhere. It felt fitting that after all these years, I finally got there.
As I boarded the flight home, I found myself reflecting on how fortunate Australia and New Zealand are to have such a close relationship. We share people, professions, businesses and values, yet each country maintains its own distinct character.
For me, this trip was more than a series of client meetings. It was a reminder of why New Zealand continues to attract talented doctors from around the world. It combines opportunity with lifestyle, ambition with humility and modern healthcare with communities that remain deeply connected to their surroundings.
I came home with new business opportunities, stronger relationships and a renewed appreciation for one of the most beautiful and welcoming countries on earth.
If you're a doctor weighing up a move to New Zealand, the team at Wavelength would love to talk you through what that could look like for you. Get in touch.