Looking to broaden your clinical skills in psychiatry while enjoying a coastal lifestyle filled with natural beauty, marine life, and vibrant local culture?
Head Medical is seeking post foundation doctors for Psychiatry opportunities in the Bay of Plenty region.
- Fantastic opportunity for post-foundation doctors to gain hands-on Psychiatry experience in a supportive, multidisciplinary team.
- Live and work in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful coastal regions, with access to stunning beaches, forests, and marine life.
- 12-month contract at a popular teaching hospital with a strong focus on Māori health and equitable mental health care.
- Salary $101,492- $116,104 NZD per annum ( depending on experience)
The Role
The Bay of Plenty region is served by two hospitals: Tauranga Hospital, a 359-bed Level 2 facility, and Whakatāne Hospital, a 110-bed rural hospital. The Psychiatry teams at both sites are known for their supportive, collaborative environments and are made up of experienced consultants, registrars, house officers, psychologists, social workers, and community mental health professionals. You will have the opportunity to rotate through inpatient and community-based services, attend regular multidisciplinary meetings, and participate in cultural competency training with a strong focus on Māori mental health. The teams are passionate about teaching, equity in healthcare, and fostering a nurturing space for junior doctors to grow clinically and professionally.
Working closely with consultants, you’ll be involved in:
- Liaising with GPs, nursing staff, psychologists, patients, and families
- Attending psychiatry and psychology meetings
- Managing both inpatient and outpatient services
- Gaining exposure to mental health and addiction services
This 12-month contract is ideal for doctors looking to grow clinically, while gaining valuable experience in a healthcare system that focuses on equity and access.
The Location

The Bay of Plenty is one of New Zealand’s most stunning coastal regions, known for its white sandy beaches, warm climate, and laid-back lifestyle. Whether you're based in Tauranga or Whakatāne, you will enjoy easy access to outdoor adventures - from surfing and paddleboarding to hiking and exploring native forests. The region is rich in Māori culture, offers a vibrant food scene, and has a welcoming community -making it an ideal place for both professional development and an exceptional lifestyle outside of work.
- Tauranga offers white sandy beaches, native forest trails, dolphin and orca sightings, and stunning coastal sunrises.
- Whakatāne, just an hour’s drive down the coast, is equally picturesque and community-focused.
- Both sites embrace Māori health initiatives and are deeply committed to improving outcomes for Māori, who make up over 25% of the region’s population.
Enjoy a rewarding role in a popular teaching hospital while living in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful regions.
Find out more about the region here Bay of Plenty | 100% Pure New Zealand
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.