Discover a career as a Pain Medicine Specialist in New Zealand You help people reclaim quality of life from complex pain conditions – now it's time to find balance and purpose in your own. Whether you're seeking more time, a collaborative team or the chance to explore Aotearoa's stunning natural beauty, we have something for you. At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, you'll join pain services committed to multidisciplinary care, equity and innovation. We're welcoming Pain Medicine Specialists who want to build a meaningful career and life in New Zealand.
Opportunities across Health New Zealand Pain Medicine Specialists work in public hospital-based pain services, often with close links to anaesthesia, rehabilitation and primary care. Depending on your location and experience, you may be involved in:
- Comprehensive assessment and management of chronic pain conditions
- Multidisciplinary team clinics with psychology, nursing and physiotherapy
- Neuromodulation and interventional pain procedures
- Acute pain services and perioperative consultations
- Pain education, service development and research
Services vary by region, but most centres offer opportunities to contribute to service innovation, equity-focused care and teaching of registrars or allied health staff.
What it's like to work here You'll work alongside committed teams delivering evidence-based care for complex and persistent pain. Many services are part of regional networks supporting patients across primary, secondary and tertiary settings. You'll benefit from:
- Protected time for CME, supervision or service improvement
- Collaborative working with pain psychology, nursing and allied health
- Access to procedural support through anaesthesia or radiology services
- Flexibility to shape your scope of practice and areas of interest
- Peer support through national special interest groups and the Faculty of Pain Medicine
Call New Zealand home If you receive a job offer, our Health Immigration Service offers free support to help you and your whānau (family) relocate. Pain Medicine Specialists are on Tier 1 of New Zealand's Green List, making you eligible for the Straight to Residence Visa – so you can apply for residency before you even arrive. Whether you're based near mountains, forests or coastlines, New Zealand offers time, space and a strong sense of community.
Salary & benefits Base salary: NZD $170,000 – $250,000+ (based on the ASMS MECA)
Additional compensation: On-call, availability and penal rates where applicable
You'll also receive: - Annual CME allowance (up to NZD $16,000)
- CME leave (up to 10 days per year)
- Six weeks of annual leave per year
- Twelve public holidays (plus time in lieu if rostered on)
- Paid parental leave and long service entitlements
- Professional indemnity cover and MCNZ registration costs covered by employer
What you need to work here To practise as a Pain Medicine Specialist in New Zealand, you must be registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) and hold a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC). Most international applicants will need either:
- Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM ANZCA)
- Or a comparable specialist qualification in anaesthesia, rehabilitation medicine, psychiatry or general practice, with recognised pain medicine training
Working for Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Te Whatu Ora means "the weaving of wellness." We are building a single, unified health system that delivers equitable and high-quality care across the motu (country). Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building a diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all people – including Māori, Pacific Peoples, those from ethnic communities, disabled people and the Rainbow community. Our values are grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) and our commitment to health equity for Māori and all New Zealanders. Through collaboration, innovation and shared purpose, we aim to create a health system where everyone can thrive.
Ready to make a difference? Our international recruitment team can support you through the application, registration and immigration process – and help you find the right place to call home.
Apply now – and make a difference somewhere different.