Resident Doctor - General Medicine - Whakatane

Head Medical; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 97,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Head Medical is seeking post-foundation doctors (PGY3+) for General Medicine opportunities located in Whakatāne, in the Bay of Plenty region. You will join a team at Whakatāne Hospital and develop your General Medicine capabilities in a hands-on environment.

The role commences February 2027 for 12 months, with a salary range of NZD 96,870 to 131,535 per annum depending on experience. Enjoy the coastal lifestyle and easy access to Tauranga, Rotorua and Auckland.

Qualifications

• Post-foundation doctors (PGY3+) with interest in General Medicine.
• Ability to work in a team and participate in clinical discussions.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and patient care excellence.

Responsibilities

• Attend clinical meetings and benefit from ongoing supervision.
• Develop a deeper understanding of Māori health with a focus on equity and community-led care.

Skills

PGY3+

General Medicine

Education

Post-foundation doctor (PGY3+)

Job description

Head Medical is seeking post-foundation doctors (PGY3+) for General Medicine opportunities located in Whakatāne, in the beautiful Bay of Plenty region.

This role is perfect for someone ready to deepen their General Medicine capability in a supportive, hands-on environment while enjoying world-class beaches, relaxed coastal living, and a vibrant cultural community.

• Stunning coastal lifestyle – white sand beaches, native forests, and marine wildlife at your doorstep
• Supportive team environment – hands-on General Medicine experience working closely with consultants
• Gateway to Aotearoa – explore the Bay of Plenty, with easy access to Tauranga, Rotorua & Auckland
• Salary -$96,870-$131,535 NZD per annum ( depending on experience)
• Commencing February 2027 for 12 months

The Role

You will be based at Whakatane Hospital (110 beds) which serves a population of approximately 50,000 in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. You will work as part of a team consisting of between 5-6 Consultants and two Registrars. The average hospital medical consultant census is between approximately 30-50 patients with approximately10-20 admissions per day. There is a 15-bed Acute Care Unit which acts as a 24/48 hr ICU which can include intubations, ventilator support and pressors as well as treatment for cardiac and stroke alerts which are jointly managed by Medical Consultants and Anaesthetics.

• Attend clinical meetings and benefit from ongoing supervision and learning opportunities
• Develop a deeper understanding of Māori health – 26% of the local population – with a real focus on equity and community-led care

The Location

Whakatāne offers an unbeatable combination of lifestyle and location. Situated in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, it’s known for its warm climate, natural beauty, and relaxed pace of life - ideal for doctors looking to strike the right balance between meaningful work and quality downtime.

Enjoy:

• Over 50km of pristine coastline – including Ōhope Beach, regularly voted New Zealand’s most loved beach
• Incredible outdoor lifestyle – surfing, paddleboarding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and kayaking all on your doorstep
• A welcoming and laid-back community – perfect for those looking to settle somewhere peaceful yet well-connected
• Proximity to key hubs – just 1 hour to Tauranga (NZ’s fastest growing city) and 3.5 hours to Auckland
• Easy travel options – daily flights to Auckland make international and domestic connections simple

Whether it’s an early morning surf, a weekend hike, or simply soaking up the coastal charm, Whakatāne offers the kind of lifestyle most only dream of.

Find out more about the region here Bay of Plenty and Whakatane