Living in Northland

General Information

MEDICAL SERVICES
New Zealand has a comprehensive public health system, including primary general practitioner care and public hospitals. Except in acute situations, access to medical care is through a general practitioner.

There is a growing private health care sector and private health insurance is available. Health insurance is available to Northland District Health Board employees through Health Service Welfare Society (HSWS). New employees are offered six-months free basic cover by HSWS from their date of employment at Northland District Health Board. After this period, the cost of health insurance varies – specific quotes are available on request.

Typically the public health system is used for serious medical and surgical problems (and is excellent) while the private system may be used more for elective and non-urgent care without the waiting lists associated with some public hospital services.

Optician and dentist care is entirely private. Private costs are probably roughly comparable with the UK.

Northland District Health Board has hospitals in Whangarei, Kaitaia, Kawakawa and Dargaville that offer a range of services and facilities. Northland is also serviced by general practitioners, dentists and opticians, as well as by physiotherapists and similar allied health professionals. There is a growing array of alternative health and medical services.

The Government’s Accident Rehabilitation & Compensation Insurance Scheme (ACC) covers everyone living in New Zealand and provides a no-fault cover to people who experience a non work-related accident. ACC will usually pay a large proportion of the medical bills. Northland District Health Board’s accident insurance provisions cover staff for work-related injury.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERS
A decision to accept a position at Northland District Health Board by one partner often involves assessing the career implications and opportunities for the other.

Vacancies within Northland are generally advertised in the Northern Advocate and sometimes in the New Zealand Herald. Current vacancy listings are also available online at Seek New Zealand Job Site www.seek.co.nz & www.northernadvocate.co.nz Please see the Northland Directory in this guide for a list of Northland recruitment agencies and online searches.

While Northland District Health Board does not create positions for partners, they are free to apply for any suitable vacancies that may be available. Further information on vacancies is available from the Human Resources Officer (Recruitment) by emailing This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Larger employers in the Northland region, beside Northland District Health Board, include the New Zealand Refining Company, Fonterra Dairy Factory, Whangarei District Council, and Northland Polytechnic.

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES
Northland has a broad and diverse array of statutory and community-based social and personal services and agencies.

These services can provide for virtually all areas of health and medical concern, for relationship and parenthood difficulties, and for personal and domestic emergencies.

Northland District Health Board also operates its own Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) where staff and their families can access appropriate professional/specialist counseling assistance when they need it. The programme is supportive, voluntary and totally confidential. The service is free and accessible on a self-referral basis at all times.