What really matters is everything that comes after.
One of the best things about working at Good Together is hearing the team talk about what really drives them. The other day, Dani summed it up perfectly:
“Getting the job is the easy part. Getting them through the process, that is where we make a difference. Supporting our doctors and clinics with a full 360-degree service is what helps us retain our doctors.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
If you’ve worked in New Zealand’s health system for any length of time, you’ll know that the job offer is only the beginning for international medical graduates. The real work happens between the offer and the moment they’re confidently settled into practice. Registration, visas, supervision, cultural orientation, relocation, housing, indemnity, IT logins, community expectations – the list is long, and every doctor’s needs are different.
This is where the difference between ‘placing’ a doctor and ‘supporting’ a doctor becomes so clear. And it’s why Good Together’s results speak for themselves.
When support works, outcomes follow
A strong indicator of this is how many doctors progress from interview through to placement. For IMGs that Good Together has supported, more than 90 per cent have moved forward after the interview stage – a figure that reflects careful preparation, honest conversations, and genuine wraparound support.
We’re pretty proud of this number as it shows that for Good Together, it’s not about volume. It’s about doing things properly, at the right pace, and with the right intentions.
What 360-degree support actually looks like
In practice, it means:
- Preparing clinics for what their IMG will need, so the onboarding is smooth from day one
- Helping doctors understand the nuance of practising in Aotearoa and what to expect clinically and culturally
- Making sure registration submissions are watertight and aligned with MCNZ requirements
- Supporting supervisors, operations teams, and clinic owners through the steps that often get missed
- Being available, genuinely available, when a doctor needs reassurance or clarity
- Keeping an eye on the wellbeing of both the doctor and the clinic, setting things up from a place of trust
The result? Better beginnings. Stronger retention. Doctors who feel valued. Clinics who feel supported. Communities who benefit from continuity of care.
Why this matters for New Zealand
We’re in a moment where New Zealand needs doctors more than ever, especially in primary care. It isn’t enough to recruit – we need to retain. And retention doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from alignment, preparation, and the kind of support that keeps everyone steady through the stressful bits.
Dani’s quote is a reminder of what we stand for. The job offer may be the easy part, but helping someone build a life and career here? That’s where we genuinely make a difference.
