Our GP Recruitment Specialist for New Zealand, Debbie Kirk, met GPs Ian and Sally at the BMJ Careers Fair in 2016. Both were looking for the next step in their medical careers and a change in location but weren’t quite sure where. Debbie was able to assist with their decision by talking about the exciting opportunities she had available and her first-hand experience spent out in New Zealand earlier that year visiting some of the locations and practices that she was recruiting for. Debbie was also in a position to discuss the processes involved in relocation to New Zealand which they both found to be a great help.
After the BMJ Conference, Ian and Sally had time to think things over but decided that it wasn’t quite the right time and asked that Debbie keep in touch with any new opportunities that she had as it was very much still a dream of theirs to live and work in New Zealand. True to her word, Debbie kept in regular contact and after hearing about a number of possibilities, they decided in December 2017 they were both ready to explore the opportunities available through Debbie and make the move out to New Zealand.
Read on to find out how the couple have experienced New Zealand in their new roles so far…
“We have had, and continue to have, a really special and wonderful adventure. It’s hard to know where to start. Our colleagues have been fantastic and have always made us feel welcome. The work has been an interesting variant on UK practice, offering challenges such as fewer resources to work with and deprived local Māori populations.
“We've really enjoyed using Taupo as a base from which we can explore the rich variety of activities available through the North Island – we've done a huge amount of travel at weekends to almost every corner. We've enjoyed the great outdoors with regular activities like tramping (including the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (twice) and the Queen Charlotte track on South Island), beach and sea swimming, a skiing taster, vineyard tours, parasailing, and lots of good coffee. We love road trips and have covered thousands of miles. It has been especially cool discovering areas where even locals rarely venture, like the extremes of the Coromandel Peninsula or the spectacular and isolated East Cape.
“I could go on...
“We’ll soon be back in the UK with a new outlook on life and the world. Thank you for your part in making it happen – it's been brilliant.”
Are you a GP interested in relocating to New Zealand on either a short or long-term contract? Contact Debbie today on +44 (0) 131 240 5279 or email debbie@headmedical.com to find out how you can start your own journey!