Expand your Paediatric, ICU or ED experience in one of New Zealand’s leading tertiary neonatal units
If you are a Paediatric trainee (PGY5+) or a doctor training in a related specialty such as Emergency Medicine or Anaesthetics this is your chance to gain hands-on neonatal experience in a modern tertiary hospital renowned for training, teamwork and clinical excellence.
Join a supportive and forward-thinking team at Waikato Hospital, where you will develop advanced neonatal skills while enjoying the balance and adventure of life in New Zealand’s stunning Waikato region.
- Ideal for paediatric, ICU or ED trainees seeking an Out of Programme Experience
- Join a 41-bed Neonatal Unit with 17 Level 3 cots and a regional neonatal retrieval service
- Excellent supervision, structured teaching, and opportunities for skill development in neonatal intensive care
- Exposure to paediatric surgical, perinatal and acute care services in a tertiary teaching environment
- Live in Hamilton, a vibrant city within easy reach of beaches, lakes and mountains
The Hospital and Service
Waikato Hospital is a major tertiary referral and teaching hospital serving a population of over 390,000 (and more than 950,000 across the wider Midland region). The Waikids Neonatal and Child Health Department provides comprehensive paediatric and neonatal services, including surgical and emergency regional retrieval support.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) features:
- 41 beds, including 17 intensive care cots
- Integrated neonatal nurse practitioner and RMO rosters
- Advanced facilities for perinatal, surgical and critical care support
- A strong reputation for teaching, simulation, and clinical education
As part of the team, you will:
- Work closely with neonatal specialists and nurse practitioners
- Gain experience in acute and critical neonatal care
- Participate in a shared after-hours roster, including night shifts
- Contribute to the unit’s education and quality improvement programmes
- Build core neonatal skills transferable to paediatrics, ICU or emergency medicine
The Location

Nestled along the stunning Waikato River, Hamilton is New Zealand's 4th largest city and is rapidly growing, offering an unbeatable combination of convenience, affordability, and adventure. Just a 90-minute drive from Auckland and a little over an hour from Tauranga, Hamilton is perfectly located for exploring New Zealand’s best beaches, including Raglan, Mount Maunganui, and the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Nature lovers can enjoy the nearby lakes around Rotorua, or head to the premier ski fields at Turangi and Whakapapa in winter. For sports enthusiasts, Hamilton offers a lively scene with national rowing events at Lake Karapiro, thrilling rugby and cricket matches at FMG Stadium and Seddon Park, plus a visit to Hobbiton for a fun family day out. Whether you are seeking an active lifestyle or a relaxed weekend escape, Hamilton’s central location and diverse offerings have something for everyone.
Find out more about the lifestyle in Hamilton here
What Head Medical can do for you
Arranging a position overseas is very exciting, but we understand that it can also be daunting and time consuming. We’re the UK’s specialist in international medical recruitment and we’ve helped many Doctors relocate since we first started out in 2008 (you can read what people have said about working with us on our testimonials page). We know it’s important to balance career opportunities with lifestyle and we’ll talk through your plans and will get to know you to make sure we find the right role in the right location. Once we have secured a job for you, we’ll manage the Medical Registration and Visa application process and support you (and your family) with the relocation itself.