Health care in Northland
Te Whatu Ora- Te Tai Tokerau (formerly known as Northland District Health Board) is the largest health provider and employer for the people of Northland. Te Whatu Ora- Te Tai Tokerau comprises four hospitals – Whangarei, Bay of Islands, Dargaville and Kaitaia- alongside a vast community and public health services network. Whangarei Hospital is the largest, with specialities such as ICU, CCU, Theatres, ED, Cath lab, Renal, Medical, Surgical, Maori health service, Radiology, Dental, primary care, Cancer and Blood Services, Allied Health and Public health services. Other clinical support services, such as pharmacy, physiotherapy and likewise, are available. There are also private hospitals such as Kensington Hospital.
The workforce in hospitals across Northland comprises various nationalities, of which Asians embrace 16% (approx 600), of which a significant proportion is from Kerala. Most of the Keralites work in nursing and are well renowned for their professionalism and commitment towards the health of the Northland community. There are also 24 Rest Homes in Northland, mainly providing residential and Medical support to older people. Many Keralites also work in the community health services such as IDEA to support people with intellectual disabilities. Many of our members work in healthcare in different roles, including leadership, management and as clinicians.
If you wish to pursue a career in Healthcare and would like to know more about an organisation, you can always contact the organisation directly; alternatively, you can also contact the Whangarei Malayalee Association, and we can assist you in connecting with a staff member of that institution, and you could get vital information such as work culture, shift hours, rosters, team environment. Vacancies are published on the respective organisational websites, SEEK, Kiwi Health Jobs, and Trade Me.
Whangarei is also home to NorthTec, one of the prestigious educational institutions which support courses in Health care, including Nursing. Please see the North Tec website for more information; alternatively, we can connect you to one of the aspiring students in our community.
It is also essential to know about the health facilities available to you on arrival to New Zealand. Please see the Immigration NZ website for free and subsidised health care for each visa category. Registering at a GP practice on arrival to access primary health care is also essential. WMA encourages you to be fully aware of your access to public health and health insurance support based on your situation, as private healthcare cost is expensive in New Zealand.
If you wish to thrive in a healthcare career in Whangarei, we welcome you to our community.
Nau mai, Haere mai..
Renju Mathew
Jt. Secretary
The author currently works as Clinical Nurse Specialist Respiratory Service, Whangarei Hospital, and has previously worked as Clinical Lead Nurse COVID-19 Medical Services, Clinical Nurse Manager, Associate Clinical Nurse Manager, Clinical Nurse Educator and Registered Nurse.