Veterinary Nurse - full-time permanent or fixed term maternity cover.

VetEast Limited; Gisborne; On-site; NZD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

VetEast Limited in Gisborne is seeking a full-time Veterinary Nurse for either a permanent position or a 12-month maternity cover. You will be hands-on with treatment planning, anaesthesia, surgical support, inpatient care and aftercare.

The team is energetic and supportive, with a varied caseload roughly 60% dogs and 40% pets, and opportunities to grow your nursing skills within a new ownership direction.

Qualifications

• A recognised veterinary nursing qualification.
• Excellent communication with clients and the team.
• Organised and able to keep things moving in a busy clinic.
• Committed to learning and developing nursing skills.
• Positive attitude and team player.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on with treatment planning, anaesthesia, surgical support, inpatient care and aftercare.
• Caseload comprises roughly 60% dogs and 40% cats/pets.
• Use of Idexx haematology, biochemistry and urinalysis equipment.
• Room to grow and develop nursing skills within a supportive team.

Skills

Communication

Organisation

Teamwork

Willingness to learn

Positive attitude

Education

Recognised veterinary nursing qualification

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Veterinary Nurse - full-time permanent or fixed term maternity cover.

Full-time permanent role | 12 month maternity cover | New graduates welcome

VetEast is a locally owned, independent veterinary practice servicing Gisborne, Wairoa and the East Cape. We are under new ownership and there is a heap of energy around where the business is heading. We have a young, motivated team who work hard, back each other and genuinely enjoy coming to work. We want VetEast to be the sort of place where good people can build a career, have a say, and enjoy the people they work alongside.

We are looking for another full-time veterinary nurse to join our small animal team, and we can be flexible for the right person. This could be a permanent full-time position, or a 12 month maternity cover role starting Monday 28 September 2026. If you join us on the fixed term option and it works for both of us, there is a strong possibility of a permanent role afterwards.

This is a proper nursing job. Our nurses are not stuck behind reception. You will be hands on with treatment planning, anaesthesia, surgical support, inpatient care, and aftercare. Our caseload is roughly 60% working dogs and 40% pets, so there is plenty of variety, from orthopaedics and GDVs through to pig rips and C-sections. Our purpose built clinic includes Idexx haematology, biochemistry and urinalysis equipment. If you want to use your nursing skills and keep developing them, there is plenty here.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a recognised veterinary nursing qualification
• Communicates well with clients and the team
• Is organised and can keep things moving in a busy clinic
• Wants to learn, contribute and keep developing their nursing skills
• Brings a positive attitude, gets stuck in and enjoys being part of a team

What we offer:

• Permanent full-time or 12 month maternity cover, depending on what suits the right person
• A young, motivated and supportive team, with a new ownership group investing in the practice and its future
• A genuine nursing role with a dedicated reception team, so your focus stays on nursing
• A varied and genuinely interesting caseload with plenty of opportunity to use your skills
• Support and training from an experienced team, plus room to grow into the role
• Employer funded social committee, Friday morning teas and a team that genuinely gets on
• Days off following weekend shifts. Our nurses currently work 1 in 5 weekends
• Generous remuneration based on experience, with extra compensation for weekend and on-call work

Applicants must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.