The Central Region of New Zealand

Medical Careers and Lifestyle in New Zealand's Central Region

Explore Career Opportunities in Wellington, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Hutt Valley, Masterton, and Hawke’s Bay

New Zealand’s Central Region, encompassing the southern part of the North Island, offers a diverse landscape of career prospects, cultural experiences, and lifestyle advantages for doctors seeking new opportunities. From the bustling capital city of Wellington and the rural charm of Masterton and the Hutt Valley, to the coastal beauty of Hawke’s Bay, and Palmerston North and Whanganui to the west, this region provides excellent healthcare environments and a high quality of life.

The region features a thriving agricultural landscape, lush orchards, vineyards, charming coastal towns and the scenic Manawatū and Whanganui Rivers. Wellington, New Zealand's capital city is a cultural hub, boasting theatres, galleries, and the national museum, along with connections to the film industry, notably Weta Workshop, the creative force behind the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. With its vibrant cities and picturesque towns, the Central Region is an ideal place to live, work and explore.

Transport links are excellent. Wellington has an international airport whilst Palmerston North and Hawke’s Bay (Napier Airport) have regional airports with connections to major centres. Road networks throughout the region are well developed, though travel to rural areas such as Wairarapa may be more time consuming. The Central Region provides abundant recreational options. Palmerston North and Whanganui have river trails and heritage attractions. Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay offer cycling, walking tracks, and internationally recognised food and wine experiences.

Wellington

Wellington, the political and cultural capital of New Zealand, is situated on a picturesque harbour surrounded by rolling hills. While the city is known for its windy conditions, it offers a temperate climate with mild summers and cool, wet winters. Wellington is famed for its dynamic arts scene, numerous museums including Te Papa Tongarewa, a vibrant café culture, and a progressive, diverse population. The city offers a fast-paced professional environment and outstanding amenities.

Wellington offers hiking in the nearby hills, beaches, and cultural festivals. It has excellent public transport including trains, buses, and ferries. Wellington International Airport offers domestic and international flights.

Wellington Regional Hospital in Newtown is the main tertiary hospital in the region, offering specialised services including intensive care medicine, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, oncology and nephrology. It serves as the tertiary referral center for the lower North Island and upper South Island.

Te Wao Nui, based in a new children's hospital on the Wellington campus, provides inpatient and outpatient care for infants, children, and adolescents needing medical treatment or pediatric surgery across the Wellington Region and Central New Zealand.

Women's Health Services at Wellington and Hutt Regional Hospitals, along with Kenepuru's Primary Birthing Unit, provide tertiary maternity care, including community-based LMC care, breastfeeding support, and specialized obstetrics and gynecology services.

Hutt Valley

The Hutt Valley, including Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt, is characterised by lush valley and river landscapes with moderate rainfall and comfortable seasonal temperatures.

Hutt Hospital offers secondary and some tertiary medical and surgical services, in addition to community-based healthcare. It serves as the main centre for five tertiary regional and sub-regional services; Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit, Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry, Rheumatology, Regional Public Health, and Regional Screening Services for breast and cervical cancer.

Masterton

Masterton, in the rural Wairarapa, provides a serene, agricultural setting with vineyards and rolling hills, mountains and rugged coastline. Located in the lower North Island of New Zealand, east of Wellington, Wairarapa is bordered by the Tararua Range to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The region is home to picturesque towns such as Martinborough, known for its world-class wineries, and Greytown celebrated for its architecture and boutique shopping.

From the rugged coastlines to the rolling hills, Wairarapa is a region that captivates the senses, all just one hour's drive from Wellington.  It is also a community rich in Māori history, reflected in local iwi traditions, art, and storytelling. It is a place where traditions are celebrated through historic pā sites, carvings, and community events.

There are plenty of recreational activities, world-class walking and cycling tracks, and amazing annual events that bring the world to the Wairarapa! The region offers New Zealand's premier shopping and food destinations thanks to its designer boutiques, specialist shops, cafes, and restaurants along with award-winning vineyards. It is a beautiful location for families to grow and experience life, with excellent schools and activities.

Wairarapa Hospital is one of the smaller hospitals in the country with just 89 inpatient beds providing 24-hour acute and elective care, general and orthopaedic surgery, general medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and  mental health.

Palmerston North

Palmerston North lies in the Manawatū region with flat plains, rugged mountains and river landscapes, making it an accessible and practical city for living and working. Home to Massey University, it enjoys a strong academic and research culture and is a hub for travel to the central North Island ski fields and river adventures. Palmerston North is also home to the iconic New Zealand Rugby Museum.

Palmerston North Regional Hospital is one of New Zealand's prestigious teaching hospitals providing leading specialised care and emergency treatment to the Manawutu region. It is the site of the regional oncology service which extends to Taranaki and Hastings in Hawke's Bay and holds accreditation for specialist training in most vocational fields.

Whanganui

Whanganui, located on the Whanganui River, offers a mix of coastal and river settings, with a mild and temperate climate. Nestled between snow-capped mountains, on the banks of Whanganui River (New Zealand's third longest), there is always plenty to do and explore with access to outdoor activities such as kayaking, skiing, surfing, tramping, cycling, fishing and hunting.

Whanganui features a close-knit community with a rich Māori and European heritage, appealing to doctors seeking a more community-focused practice.

Whanganui Hospital is a 138 bed Care Capacity Demand Management (CCDM) secondary hospital, including acute mental health inpatient facilities and 24/ emergency department. It provides essential healthcare to a regional population and offers varied roles for generalists and specialists.

Hastings (Hawke’s Bay)

Hawke’s Bay, centred around Hastings and Napier, boasts an exceptionally sunny climate, fertile plains, and a stunning coastline. It is renowned for its vineyards, orchards, and Art Deco architecture. The region offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with access to world-class wineries, farmers’ markets, and outdoor activities. It is an excellent location for doctors desiring a balance between career and lifestyle.

Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is a 400 bed regional centre providing secondary care, an air retrieval service and training to medical students and junior doctors.

Advantages and Disadvantages by Area

• Wellington: Excellent career opportunities, vibrant cultural scene; higher living costs and windy weather.
• Palmerston North: Strong research focus, lower cost of living; smaller city feel.
• Whanganui: Close-knit community, beautiful river setting; limited tertiary healthcare facilities.
• Hutt Valley: Accessible to Wellington’s resources, family-friendly; quieter lifestyle.
• Masterton: Rural practice opportunities, peaceful environment; one hour's travel to tertiary care in Wellington.
• Hastings (Hawke’s Bay): Excellent climate and lifestyle, affordable housing; limited to regional healthcare services.

Advance Your Medical Career in New Zealand’s Central Region

If you are a doctor seeking rewarding career opportunities and a fulfilling lifestyle, the Central Region offers an exceptional balance of professional and personal satisfaction. Take action today:

• Register your interest on our website -submit CV
• Search our currently advertised jobs -job search
• Contact us to discuss your interest and learn how we can assist you in finding the perfect medical position in Wellington, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Hutt Valley, Masterton, or Hawke’s Bay-contact us
• Explore other regions of New Zealand -New Zealand
• Read our blog articles -view resources