Ophthalmology Resident Doctors – Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Unique Ophthalmology opportunity suited to post foundation doctors possessing a minimum 6 months general surgery experience and keen to broaden their clinical skills and knowledge within the specialty. You will be based in Hastings; a vibrant Coastal location.
- February 2026 commencement (12 month contract)
- Work in one of the largest provincial hospitals in NZ (400 bed)
- Affordable housing and excellent schools, ideal for families
- Beautiful beaches and stunning hill country to explore; music, wine and food festivals; art deco architecture; cycling, paddle-boarding, boating, golfing, and so much more…
The Role
You will be based in a large secondary level, 400 bed accredited public hospital providing acute and elective care for a region of over 162,000 people. It is one of the largest provincial hospitals in New Zealand. The hospital is modern with a full range of surgical, medical, oncology and radiological services. In addition, outreach services are provided at rural and community-based facilities across the region in Wairoa and Waipukurau.
You will join a team consisting of six Consultants and three registrars and enjoy a wide variety of inpatient and outpatients. In addition, you will also be expected to work in acute admissions, surgical ward, operating theatre and the ED.
The Location

The Hawke’s Bay region (pop. 162,000) sits on the stunning east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. You can live in Hastings (pop. 80,000) or nearby Napier (pop. 63,000), an art-deco city known for its culture, charm, and lifestyle.
- Award-winning vineyards and wineries (famous for both red and white wines)
- Te Mata Peak, Waimarama Beach, and Cape Kidnappers for outdoor adventures
- Cycling trails, premier golf courses, and vibrant farmer’s markets
- Year-round music, food, and wine festivals
- High sunshine hours and a Mediterranean-style climate
Hawke’s Bay also has excellent domestic connectivity, with regular 1-hour flights to Auckland and Wellington International Airports.
Learn more about the Hawke’s Bay region 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.