Intenational General Surgeons - New Zealand roles

General Surgeons in New Zealand combine broad surgical practice with opportunities for subspecialty development, supported by collegial teams and comprehensive training programmes. At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, you'll deliver high-quality surgical care and make a real difference for patients and their whānau. About the role General Surgeons provide comprehensive surgical services across acute and elective settings, from major teaching hospitals to regional centres. You'll manage emergency surgical cases alongside elective operating, maintaining broad general surgical skills while developing subspecialty interests. Your work includes:

• Acute general surgery and trauma
• Elective general surgery
• Gastrointestinal surgery including endoscopy (gastroscopy and colonoscopy)
• Breast and endocrine surgery
• Colorectal surgery
• Upper gastrointestinal surgery including oesophago-gastric cancer resection
• Minimal access and laparoscopic surgery
• Vascular surgery
• Surgical oncology
• Basic urological and paediatric surgery (in some settings)

Depending on location, you may also participate in teaching, supervision, research, quality improvement initiatives, and service development projects. What it's like to work here General Surgeons work alongside multidisciplinary teams including emergency departments, anaesthetics, ICU, pathology, radiology (including interventional radiology), oncology services, and specialist nursing teams. You'll benefit from:

• Supportive, collaborative teams
• Opportunities to teach, mentor, and supervise surgical trainees, registrars, and house surgeons
• Engagement in clinical governance, quality improvement, and service development projects
• Flexibility to develop subspecialty interests or maintain broad general surgical practice

Call New Zealand home Health New Zealand can support you and your whānau with relocation advice through the Health Immigration Service. General Surgeons are on Tier 1 of New Zealand's Green List, making you eligible for a Straight to Residence Visa and allowing residency applications before arrival. New Zealand offers safe, welcoming communities, vibrant cities, scenic landscapes, and a high standard of living. Families benefit from free public schooling and access to public healthcare. Salary and benefits Base salary: NZD $185,380 – $267,980 (based on the ASMS collective agreement, depending on experience) Additional compensation: On-call and availability allowances where applicable Additional entitlements include:

• Reimbursement of Medical Council registration and Annual Practising Certificate costs
• Funded Continuing Medical Education (CME) allowance (NZD $16,000 per year pro-rata)
• CME leave (10 days per year)
• Six weeks of annual leave per year
• Twelve paid public holidays
• Long service, special leave and sabbatical entitlements
• Up to 14 weeks paid parental leave

What you need to work here To practise as a General Surgeon in New Zealand, you must be registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) and hold a current Annual Practising Certificate. You will typically require an overseas qualification comparable to Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) or equivalent and meet MCNZ requirements for vocational registration. International General Surgeons with recognised qualifications may be eligible for streamlined or fast-track Medical Council registration, allowing you to start working in Aotearoa sooner. Working for Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Te Whatu Ora means “the weaving of wellness.” We are building a unified health system delivering equitable, high-quality care across New Zealand. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all people—including Māori, Pacific Peoples, ethnic communities, disabled people, and the Rainbow community. Our values are grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our commitment to health equity for Māori and all New Zealanders. Ready to make a difference? Our international recruitment team can support you through application, registration, and immigration processes—and help you find the right place to work in New Zealand. Apply now—and make a difference somewhere different.