In this location guide series, we will showcase what it is like to work in one specific region in either Australia or New Zealand, Each episode will highlight the unique benefits of the chosen location and their facilities while outlining the opportunities available to our doctors. The latest episode northernmost city in New Zealand, Whangarei.
Northland, New Zealand
Known as ‘the winterless North’ for its subtropical climate, Northland’s expanses of white sandy beaches, great fishing and scenic locations like the Bay of Islands all combine to make it a popular place to live.
New Zealand’s northernmost region is home to around 150,000 people. Roughly half live in the largest city, Whangarei, around two hours drive from Auckland.
Northland is particularly rich in Māori tradition, having welcomed the canoes of the first explorer Kupe around 800 years ago. Today, around a quarter of Whangarei’s population identify themselves as Māori.
The warm climate and safe harbours also drew the first European settlers, and Paihia, an hour north of Whangarei, was New Zealand’s first seat of government. New Zealand’s founding document, Te Tiriti (The Treaty of Waitangi) was signed just outside Paihia in 1840.
Physically, Northland is one of New Zealand’s most desirable locations. It offers unspoiled white sand beaches, native bush and scenery galore, spectacular fishing and more in a warm, sub-tropical climate that enables outdoor living year-round.
Whangarei
Whangarei itself is a bustling town offering a choice of family homes, town-houses and apartments. There are good schools, a tertiary education provider and excellent community amenities. It offers a range of speciality stores, fashion shops, restaurants, cafes and other entertainment options including a strongly developing arts scene.
A keen sporting community enjoys a full range of facilities including parks, an aquatic centre, an all-weather athletics track and a new events centre which, among other activities, hosted several games in the 2011 World Rugby Cup.
Northland is the destination of choice for many lifestyle-motivated new arrivals who are prepared to live on less, or work harder and drive further, in exchange for the privilege of living here.
Whangarei Hospital
Whangarei Hospital is Northland District Health Board’s (DHB’s) main hospital. It is a secondary hospital, providing specialist care to all of Northland.
Services include:
- Surgical 7 theatres each with own specialty
- 7 bed Intensive Care Unit and High Dependency Unit – Helicopter retrievals and transfers
- 24-hour Emergency Department
- Paediatrics – Paediatric Ward’ Special Care Baby Unit and Intensive Care Unit
- Medical and Disability Support – 2 medical wards including Dialysis and Coronary Care
- Mental Health and Clinical Support – including 31-bed Inpatient Ward Maternal and Child Health – purpose-built Child Health Centre
- Maori Health Service
- Community Health Services – located off-campus in Whangarei and in the community. The services encompass Dental, Primary Care Nursing, Allied Health and Public Health Services
- Radiology – the Imaging Department offers full radiology services (with the exception of nuclear medicine)
- Clinical Support Services – Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Radiology, Social Work, Dietetics and Occupational Health
Accommodation
Find accommodation options for Whangarei here.
Closing Thoughts
To learn more about the area and potential roles, contact the Triple0 team today.
