Without a doubt, a major drawcard of living in New Zealand is the possibility for adventure. Even if that means something different for everyone, you’ll be guaranteed to find it here!
Taking a group of international doctors into the heart of the North Island, we got to showcase one of the very things people come here for. Along with a couple of our long term locum doctors, a group of fairly recent arrivals really got the dust of Aotearoa under their skin on the two day ride.
Education
The very same Doctor Robin, when he’d finished racing through the countryside at breakneck speed, presented his insights and experience of working in the specialist area of rural medicine.
New Zealand’s geography means that there are many areas where access to secondary care is limited. Resourcefulness and versatility are essential.
Adventure
The Timber Trail is an 84km, grade 2-3 mountain bike trail, ridden with much more comfort on an e-bike (as two of our doctors came to appreciate on day 2!).
It can be achieved in one go (as our maverick Doctor Robin demonstrated) but the landscape and terrain are worth taking a bit of time over.
Socialising
Community, connection, conversation, laughter, good food, sunsets, and the exhilaration of those downhills were among the many benefits of the trip.
Over a sandwich on the trail or dinner at the lodge, experiences, insights and practical ideas were all generously shared.
Connection
There’s a unique value in bringing together different doctors from different countries and backgrounds.
Everyone who said yes to the adventure also said yes to new friendships, meaningful connections and a rich, unforgettable experience.
For the kiwis in the group, there was immense pride at being able to share one of Aotearoa’s treasures – as if we were personally responsible for its amazingness!
While we were surrounded by GPs, there was a certain irony in the non-medical people having to apply the occasional bandaid.
Thankfully no doctors were harmed in the making of these memories, and their names are at the top of the list for next year’s adventure.
Why not think about joining us?
