Vet Jobs New Zealand

The Vet Service offer a range of Vet Jobs in New Zealand . We pride ourselves in our digital and personal relationships with our New Zealand Vet practices. Whether you are a new graduate or more experienced there are many roles and positions such as locum roles, farm animal, small animal or Vet Nurse roles for you to choose from.

We have Vet vacancies across the New Zealand provinces such as:
Auckland – Waikato – Gisborne – Wellington – Canterbury – Otago – Southland.

If your choice of destination is not included above, we are sure to have an option close to where you prefer!

Vet Nurses in New Zealand can earn up to NZD$55K.

We work with many practices who may cover relocation costs for you and offer contract incentives to help you financially settle into your new life in New Zealand.

What Are the Best Areas of New Zealand to Work as a Veterinarian?

The best area to work in New Zealand really depends on the type of vet you want to be. If you’re focused on small animal or referral work, larger cities like Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch offer advanced facilities, specialist roles and clear career progression.

New Zealand is very popular as a destination for farm veterinary work, with regions such as Waikato, Canterbury, Otago and Southland being strong choices due to the high demand driven by dairy, sheep and beef farming. These roles often provide excellent hands-on experience and competitive salaries.

If lifestyle is a priority, coastal areas like Hawke’s Bay or Nelson/Tasman combine solid veterinary opportunities with a relaxed, outdoor-focused way of life.

Are Vets in Demand in New Zealand?

Yes, by a clear margin. New Zealand’s vet workforce sits at around 3,100 practising vets, well short of demand nationwide. Vets are officially classed as a shortage occupation, and overseas-qualified vets already make up roughly a third of the workforce.

The shortage is worst in rural and mixed-practice roles, though clinics in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch feel it too. Massey University, New Zealand’s only vet school, can’t train enough vets each year to close the gap. That’s a real opportunity: practices are actively recruiting overseas, and government policy has made relocation easier.

How Can I Move to New Zealand as a Vet?

Relocating to New Zealand as a vet is more straightforward than most international moves, largely due to ongoing shortages. The process typically follows these stages:

• Register with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ), or confirm your qualification is recognised.
• Secure a job offer from a New Zealand practice, ideally an Accredited Employer.
• Apply for the right visa; most vets go through New Zealand’s Green List, a fast-tracked pathway to residency.
• Arrange practical logistics like relocation costs, flights and accommodation, much of which employers contribute towards.

We regularly place vets relocating from the UK, Ireland, South Africa and beyond into New Zealand practices. If you’re weighing up a veterinary job in New Zealand as a foreigner, contact us and we’ll assess what’s realistic given your background.

Working in a Veterinary role and having a positive work/life balance is sometimes hard to get right. In New Zealand, the Veterinary industry takes great pride in trying to strike the perfect balance. Working hard is important whilst also looking after yourself mentally and physically is also important.

Lots of roles offer employees perks such as further education and more holidays than standard. If this is something that is important to you, you also may want to consider locum opportunities which offers flexibility in the workplace.

New Zealand is famous for its laidback lifestyle, with a big focus on outdoor living, whether it be surfing, skiing, mountain climbing or just relaxing and enjoying the view!

To practice as or represent yourself as a Veterinarian in New Zealand you must be registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ) and hold a current practising certificate. VCNZ recognises vet qualifications from several countries, including the UK, Ireland, Australia, the US and South Africa. Where a qualification isn’t recognised, extra exams may be required. Confirm your status directly with The Vet Service before applying.

All applicants must satisfy the Council that they can communicate in and understand English to an appropriate standard for practising as a Veterinarian in New Zealand. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of English competency by sitting and passing an approved English test such as IELTS (International English Language Testing System) to the required level.

VCNZ registration is required before practising, though not before you apply for jobs. Most vets secure a job offer first, then complete VCNZ registration once a role is confirmed, since employer requirements often shape the process. 

Do you Need a Work Visa for Veterinary Jobs in New Zealand?

Before you start your veterinary job in New Zealand, as a Vet or Vet Nurse, you need to ensure that you have an appropriate visa if you are not a New Zealand citizen.

Vets are on New Zealand’s Green List under the Work to Residence pathway, meaning two years in an eligible role qualifies you to apply for residency. You’ll need a job offer from an accredited employer and a pay rate meeting the Green List threshold, a figure that changes, so confirm current requirements with Immigration New Zealand or your employer. Some vets may also qualify for the faster Straight to Residence pathway depending on salary and experience; an immigration adviser can assess your situation.

Please contact the Department of Immigration in New Zealand for further information. If you are aged between 18 and 35 years you may also be eligible for a working holiday visa for New Zealand, this is depending on eligibility. The Vet Service can point you in the right direction for an appropriate Visa as part of our relocation packages for foreign veterinarians in New Zealand.

If you are relocating to New Zealand, you may be concerned about the fees for the initial travel and set up in a new country. At The Vet Service, we have many roles with veterinary practices that contribute to some or all these costs.

Relocation packages can include one-off relocation payments, return flight costs, accommodation and/or vehicle provided, professional fees & further certificates paid, sponsored visas & immigration agent fees paid.

• Wide variety in types of work available, a large agricultural sector including dairy and sheep farming predominately in the South Island with lots of opportunities to progress in your career.
• Small animal work found in the busier, urban areas such as Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland which offer a more modern, multicultural experience.
• New Zealand is a wonderful country to live in – experience a unique landscape with unlimited outdoor adventure opportunities such as snowboarding, mountain climbing and surfing with friendly, laid-back people to welcome you!