Fixed Term - Consultant Emergency Medicine

Consultant Emergency Medicine or Rural Hospital Specialist

Timaru Hospital | South Canterbury
Emergency Department
Fixed-Term, 0.5-1.0 FTE (4 months)
October 2027 – January/February 2028

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

Be part of a team that loves what they do – and where they live

An exciting fixed-term opportunity has arisen to join our Emergency Department team at Timaru Hospital, providing sabbatical cover from October 2027. This four-month appointment offers the chance to experience emergency medicine in one of New Zealand's most scenic and lifestyle-friendly regions while working within a supportive and collegial specialist team.

In ED at Timaru Hospital, we're building a future-focused health system grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, delivering partnership, equity, and excellence for all. Our team of Emergency Department physicians bring a breadth of experience and expertise and have chosen to make South Canterbury home.

2027 will see the continued development of our emergency service, including a 24/7 registrar tier providing shop-floor cover, supported by Emergency Medicine SMOs on site from 7.30am to midnight and an overnight on-call roster. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a service focused on sustainability, clinical excellence, and high-quality patient care.

The Role

This fixed-term position has been created to provide cover for a specialist undertaking sabbatical leave. The appointment is expected to commence in October 2027 and run for approximately four months, allowing time for orientation and integration into the service before participating in clinical rostering.

Timaru Emergency Department is dynamic, collegial, and varied, seeing approximately 22,000 presentations per year. You'll manage a broad scope of emergency presentations, from routine acute care through to trauma, with support from specialist colleagues across Anaesthesia, Paediatrics, Mental Health, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, and Internal Medicine.

The department provides excellent access to diagnostic imaging and a consultant-delivered model of care that supports timely decision-making and outstanding patient outcomes. Many clinicians value the opportunity to spend meaningful time with patients while maintaining hands-on procedural skills and broad clinical practice.

About You

You'll hold, or be eligible for, Vocational Registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand in Emergency Medicine or Rural Hospital Medicine.

We welcome applications from Emergency Medicine and Rural Hospital Medicine Specialists trained in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other comparable healthcare systems.

Most importantly, you'll enjoy working collaboratively within a smaller hospital environment and appreciate the autonomy, flexibility, and variety that comes with rural and regional emergency medicine.

Why Timaru?

Forget the traffic jams and sky-high house prices. Timaru offers an enviable lifestyle between the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean, with skiing, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and beaches all within easy reach.

Timaru is a place where you can:

• Experience New Zealand while working in a well-supported specialist role.
• Enjoy a hospital large enough to provide clinical variety but small enough to foster strong collegial relationships.
• Take advantage of an affordable coastal lifestyle with excellent schools, housing, and outdoor recreation.
• Spend less time commuting and more time doing what you enjoy.

Many of our staff walk or cycle to work and enjoy immediate access to some of New Zealand's best outdoor adventure opportunities.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is committed to providing equitable healthcare for all New Zealanders. We value diversity and welcome applications from our Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

Salary Range

This role is covered by the ASMS Collective Agreement, with remuneration dependent on experience and relevant qualifications.

Medical Council Registration

For overseas-trained applicants, please visit the Medical Council of New Zealand website for information regarding vocational registration pathways and eligibility requirements.

Enquiries and Applications

If you would like to discuss this opportunity or living and working in Timaru before applying, please contact Agatha Chen, Recruitment Advisor - Senior Medical Officers, at Agatha.Chen@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz.