Emergency Medicine Opportunities in Coastal Whakatāne, New Zealand
Head Medical is seeking PGY3+ doctors with an interest in Emergency Medicine to join a busy Emergency Department at Whakatāne Hospital. Based in the spectacular Bay of Plenty, this role is perfect for someone ready to deepen their ED capability in a supportive, hands-on environment while enjoying world-class beaches, relaxed coastal living, and a vibrant cultural community.
- Stunning coastal lifestyle – white sand beaches, native forests, and marine wildlife at your doorstep
- Supportive team environment – hands-on Emergency Medicine experience working closely with consultants
- Gateway to Aotearoa – explore the Bay of Plenty, with easy access to Tauranga, Rotorua & Auckland
- Salary -$96,870-$131,535 NZD per annum ( depending on experience)
- 12-month contract
Whether you've recently completed Foundation Training or already have several years of postgraduate experience, this role offers excellent clinical exposure, structured support, and outstanding opportunities to further develop your surgical and clinical skills.
The Role
You’ll join a small but dynamic ED team at Whakatāne Hospital (110 beds), supporting a broad regional population with diverse presentations.
• Work closely with consultants across adult and paediatric emergency presentations
• Attend clinical meetings and benefit from ongoing supervision and learning opportunities
• Develop a deeper understanding of Māori health – 26% of the local population – with a real focus on equity and community-led care
• Exposure to trauma, acute medical and surgical emergencies – ideal for those building a career in acute care
The Location
Whakatāne offers an unbeatable combination of lifestyle and location. Situated in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, it’s known for its warm climate, natural beauty, and relaxed pace of life - ideal for doctors looking to strike the right balance between meaningful work and quality downtime.
Enjoy:
- Over 50km of pristine coastline – including Ōhope Beach, regularly voted New Zealand’s most loved beach
- Incredible outdoor lifestyle – surfing, paddleboarding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and kayaking all on your doorstep
- A welcoming and laid-back community – perfect for those looking to settle somewhere peaceful yet well-connected
- Proximity to key hubs – just 1 hour to Tauranga (NZ’s fastest growing city) and 3.5 hours to Auckland
- Easy travel options – daily flights to Auckland make international and domestic connections simple
Whether it’s an early morning surf, a weekend hike, or simply soaking up the coastal charm, Whakatāne offers the kind of lifestyle most only dream of.
Find out more about the region here Bay of Plenty and Whakatane
What Head Medical can do for you
Head Medical is a specialist international healthcare recruitment company and has been helping doctors relocate to Australia, New Zealand and beyond since 2008. From identifying the right opportunity through to regulatory applications and relocation, we provide free guidance and support throughout the process. We also have qualified and licensed Immigration Advisers within our team who can assist with migration planning and visa applications for Australia and New Zealand. The services of our licensed Immigration Advisers are provided as an additional service, with any applicable fees discussed in advance.