29 Jul 2025

Why More Healthcare Professionals Are Choosing Locum Work in New Zealand

Locum work has quickly become one of the most attractive career paths for healthcare professionals across New Zealand. With increasing demand for flexible staffing in general practice, hospitals, aged care, and allied health services, locum roles are offering healthcare workers more choice, freedom, and balance than ever before.

Flexibility That Works Around You

One of the biggest draws of locum work is flexibility. You can choose when and where you work, whether that’s one day a week or a full-time contract for a few months. This makes locum roles ideal for those balancing family, study, or travel, or simply wanting more control over their schedule.

Explore New Regions While You Work

Locum jobs are available all over New Zealand from large cities like Auckland and Wellington to regional and rural communities. It’s a unique chance to experience new environments, meet different teams, and broaden your clinical experience while getting paid.

Competitive Pay Without the Paperwork

Locum roles often come with higher hourly rates compared to permanent positions. Through partners like HNRY, your tax, invoicing, and compliance are taken care of, making it simple to manage your income and focus on the job.

Less Admin, More Patient Time

Most locum positions allow you to focus purely on delivering care. You’re not expected to manage long-term caseloads or ongoing admin. For many professionals, this means more job satisfaction and less stress.

Build Your Skills and Confidence

Working across a variety of settings helps build adaptability, clinical knowledge, and confidence. Locum work is especially valuable for early-career professionals looking to gain experience or for experienced clinicians seeking a fresh perspective.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a GP, nurse, or allied health professional, locum work in New Zealand offers real benefits: better balance, new experiences, and strong professional support. If you're ready for a change in how you work, now might be the perfect time to give locum a go.

Explore our latest locum roles or contact our team to find a fit that works for you.