• New Zealand offers stunning natural scenery, with beaches, mountains, and lakes always close by.
• The culture is relaxed, friendly, and welcoming, making daily life feel easy and enjoyable.
• Earning ability: GPs in New Zealand can earn 3 x UK salaries.
• Great work/life balance: With an average of only 20 patients per day, you’ll have time to enjoy the landscape.
• New Zealand’s healthcare system is considered good in quality. Doctors and nurses are generally highly trained, and medical facilities are well-equipped.
There is a great earning potential for GPs in New Zealand. This is one of the main benefits of relocating.
Most GPs in their first year, can earn between £150,000 and £170,000. This can increase as you establish your patient base. At the top end, there is the potential to earn in excess of around £358,900 +.
• Often higher earnings and percentages come in more rural locations.
• A higher percentage does not mean you will make more.
• Working hours and patterns can play a factor by way of evenings or weekends.
New Zealand has a well-structured healthcare system that combines publicly funded services with private care options. Most essential hospital treatments, emergency care, and maternity services are free for residents, while visits to GPs are subsidised but usually involve a small fee. The country also has a unique scheme called ACC, which covers injuries from accidents for residents and visitors.
Private healthcare is widely used to reduce waiting times for elective surgery or specialist appointments. Overall, the system is high-quality, accessible, and emphasizes both preventive care and community wellbeing, though some regions, especially rural areas, can experience GP shortages and longer wait times.
New Zealand is known for a much more relaxed, family-friendly lifestyle. GP workloads are generally lighter than in the UK, with shorter hours, more manageable session lengths, and fewer bureaucratic pressures.
There’s a strong emphasis on protecting personal time, meaning more evenings and weekends free.
Medical centres in New Zealand, also called general practice clinics, are the primary point of care for most residents. They provide GP consultations, nurse services, vaccinations, chronic disease management, and minor procedures, with some larger centres also offering physiotherapy, mental health support, and on-site labs.
Staff typically includes GPs, practice nurses, healthcare assistants, and administrative personnel, often working in group practices with multiple doctors sharing the facility. Visits are subsidised for residents, with children under 14 usually seen for free and adult consultations generally costing NZD $40–$70. Medical centres act as gatekeepers for specialist referrals, manage long-term conditions, and collaborate with hospitals, pharmacists, and community health providers.
They are known for being friendly, patient-centred, and community-focused, with an emphasis on preventive care and maintaining strong relationships between patients and their GPs.
As a UK GP, there are strong opportunities for career growth in New Zealand. The country has a high demand for general practitioners, especially in rural and provincial areas, and offers structured pathways for internationally-trained doctors through the Medical Council of New Zealand, including the “comparable health system” route that recognizes UK experience.
GPs can progress by taking on additional clinical interests such as minor surgery or obstetrics, pursuing Fellowship with the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, or becoming a partner or owner in a practice. International doctor programmes and supervised roles provide support for overseas-trained doctors to integrate quickly and build networks, while GPs are also on the immigration “Green List,” allowing a straightforward path to residency.
Overall, the combination of professional demand, structured support, and flexible career options makes New Zealand an attractive place for UK GPs to grow and advance their careers.
Find out more
For more details or if you would like to discuss this with our team further, please get in touch with Thomas who would be happy to go through this with you. Contact us today to arrange a time to speak.
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