Thinking about working as a GP in New Zealand?

Honest conversations, structured support, and real insight for UK doctors exploring life and work in Aotearoa New Zealand

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A different way of working and living

For many UK doctors, New Zealand offers the opportunity to reconnect with the parts of medicine and life that matter most. More time with patients, greater access to nature, and a different pace of life are all part of the appeal, but moving countries is also a significant decision.
At Good Together, we support doctors through every stage of that journey, helping them understand not only the opportunities available, but whether New Zealand is genuinely the right fit for them professionally and personally.

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What UK GPs often ask us

For many UK GPs, the biggest difference is the pace and style of medicine. Appointments are typically longer, continuity of care remains central to many practices, and there is often a broader scope of work, particularly in rural communities.
That said, New Zealand general practice still has pressures and workforce challenges of its own. Experiences can vary significantly depending on the practice, region, and patient population, which is why understanding “fit” matters so much.

Possibly. There are several pathways into New Zealand general practice, including options for UK-trained doctors who have not completed specialist GP training.
Some doctors move into non-training registrar roles initially, while others come via vocational or comparable health system pathways. The right route depends on your training background, recent experience, and longer-term goals.

The process is often more straightforward than many doctors expect, particularly for UK-trained GPs. Recent changes have introduced faster pathways for eligible applicants, although requirements still vary depending on your background and scope of practice.
Most doctors begin with an exploratory conversation so we can help determine which pathway may be most appropriate before discussing potential roles.

Possibly, but it depends on your registration pathway and level of registration in New Zealand.
Some UK GPs may be eligible for temporary locum tenens registration, which allows them to work in a specific approved role for a limited period of time. However, working as a locum in the more traditional sense, across multiple clinics or regions with greater flexibility, generally becomes possible once a doctor has obtained full registration in New Zealand.
Even for doctors who are very experienced locums in the UK, there are important differences in the New Zealand health system, practice culture, and scope of general practice. Spending time becoming familiar with how medicine is practised here is an important part of transitioning safely and confidently into locum work.

‘Rural’ in New Zealand can mean very different things depending on the region and community. In general, rural medicine involves working in areas with greater geographic isolation, smaller populations, and more limited access to secondary or tertiary services.
Compared to urban practice, rural medicine often requires broader generalist skills, greater autonomy, and the ability to manage a wider range of presentations locally. In some settings, this may include elements of urgent care, acute medicine, or rural hospital medicine alongside traditional general practice.
For many doctors, the continuity of care, strong sense of community, and variety of medicine become some of the most rewarding aspects of working in New Zealand. At the same time, rural practice can involve greater health inequities and additional challenges around access to care.
Because of the broader scope and differences in the New Zealand health system, rural roles are often better suited to more experienced GPs or doctors who already hold full registration in New Zealand. Many international doctors choose to first become familiar with the NZ style of practice before exploring rural opportunities.

Many doctors tell us they feel they have more breathing space in New Zealand, both professionally and personally. Longer appointments, different practice models, and easier access to nature and outdoor lifestyle are often part of that.
At the same time, New Zealand healthcare still faces workforce pressures, and not every role or region feels the same. What “good balance” looks like can also vary hugely from one doctor to another. For some, it means more time outdoors or with family, while for others it may be flexibility, fewer clinical sessions, more continuity of care, or a broader and more rewarding scope of medicine.
The key is understanding what matters most to you personally and professionally, and finding a role that aligns with that.

Support can look very different depending on where you are in the process. Some doctors simply want an informal conversation initially, while others need more structured guidance around registration, visas, understanding different regions, or navigating the transition into New Zealand general practice.
At Good Together, our support extends well beyond recruitment. Depending on your situation, this may include helping you explore different practice models and locations, supporting registration and onboarding processes, connecting you with immigration advisers and other trusted professionals, and helping you better understand what day-to-day life and medicine in New Zealand can realistically look like.
We also provide orientation and transition resources designed specifically for international doctors, alongside ongoing support after arrival as you settle into both work and life in New Zealand.

A move to New Zealand has to be in the best interests of the whole family, which is why we spend time understanding what matters most to everyone involved, not just the doctor. Schooling, lifestyle, climate, career opportunities for partners, community, and even pets are often important parts of the conversation.
GPs are currently on New Zealand’s Green List, which means many eligible doctors can apply via the Straight to Residence visa pathway. This is often a very attractive option because partners and dependent children are typically included within the residency application itself, meaning separate work visas are not usually required for family members included in the application.
Every family situation is different, but helping doctors think through the practical and lifestyle side of a move is a really important part of the process.

There is more than one pathway into NZ general practice

Experienced UK GPs

For vocationally trained GPs exploring long-term opportunities, lifestyle change, or a different pace and style of medicine.

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Non-trainee Registrars

For doctors earlier in their careers who are interested in general practice and appropriate supervised opportunities within New Zealand.

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GPs trained outside the UK

For internationally trained GPs already working in the UK who may be eligible via alternative registration pathways.

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Broader Scope Roles

For doctors interested in urgent care, rural medicine, and broader clinical exposure within New Zealand.

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Why Doctors work with Good Together

Relocating to New Zealand is rarely just about finding a job. We support doctors beyond recruitment, through the wider transition into life and medicine in Aotearoa.

To hear from GPs how they found working with us, click here

What doctors tell us after making the move

  • “We wanted a different pace of life, and New Zealand gave us that.”
  • “The continuity of care and connection with patients reminded me why I became a GP.”
  • “It feels like medicine is still human here.”
  • “The pace is different here, not necessarily easier, but more sustainable.”
  • “I feel more connected to both my patients and my own family.”
  • “It’s not just a career move, it’s a lifestyle shift.”

New Zealand won’t be the right fit for everyone

New Zealand offers incredible opportunities for many doctors, but it is important to understand both the benefits and the realities of working here. Different regions, practice models, and patient populations can create very different experiences. Our role is to help doctors explore whether the move aligns with their goals, stage of life, and preferred way of working.

Curious about working as a GP in New Zealand?

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