At a Glance
- Tasks: Perform mixed and companion animal veterinary work across various locations in New Zealand.
- Company: Vetlife is a leading veterinary group in New Zealand, known for its community focus and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive team environment with no after-hours work and potential leadership opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunities available in North Canterbury, Christchurch, Motueka, Oamaru, and Blenheim.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team of 400 animal advocates in a variety of roles across beautiful South Island locations.
- Qualifications: Candidates should have 2-4+ years of experience depending on the specific role.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Veterinary Surgeon Opportunities – New Zealand | Mixed & Companion Animal | Multiple Locations
What if your next role didn’t just tick a box… but gave you options? Real variety, real support, and the chance to shape your career in a way that actually suits you.
Welcome to Vetlife, one of New Zealand’s leading veterinary groups, known for its strong community focus, collaborative culture, and genuine investment in its people. With clinics across the South Island, Vetlife offers something a little different: the backing of a larger group, without losing that local, close-knit feel.
Proudly South Island owned, Vetlife isn’t your average clinic, it’s a 400-strong squad of passionate animal advocates. Combining historic roots with a high-tech future, they offer everything from advanced dairy research and Vetlife Scientific breakthroughs to premium pet care.
Whether you’re into innovative farm sustainability or elite small animal surgery, they provide the mentorship to help you thrive. Want a career with coastal vibes, genuine community, and zero corporate boredom? Come join the family!
Right now, there are opportunities across several locations, each offering its own lifestyle, caseload, and pace.
- North Canterbury (Oxford & Culverden): A true mixed role in a growing community practice. You’ll get stuck into dairy, sheep, companion animal work, and more, ideal for someone who enjoys variety and being part of a rural community. (3+ years)
- Christchurch: Busy companion animal clinic with a strong caseload and a supportive 3-vet team. Focus on consults, medical workups, and routine surgery. No after-hours, just a light Saturday rota. Potential to step into a leadership role if you’re ready. (4+ years)
- Motueka: A flexible CA / mixed role in a popular, busy clinic with a loyal client base. Predominantly small animal, with the option to get involved in production animal work if that’s your thing. Shared after-hours across the local hub. (2+ years)
- Oamaru: A proper mixed practice with real variety, dairy, sheep, beef, equine, and companion animal. Great for someone who enjoys a broad caseload and being hands-on across different areas. (2+ years)
- Blenheim: Short-term locum opportunities in companion animal or mixed practice, perfect if you’re looking for flexibility or a change of pace.
Across all roles, you’ll find teams that are supportive, down-to-earth, and genuinely collaborative. These are clinics where people talk, share ideas, and get stuck in together.
What matters here:
- You enjoy being part of a team
- You care about doing good, honest veterinary work
- You’re open to getting involved and making a difference
Whether you’re looking for variety, progression, or simply a better balance, there’s something here that could fit.
So, what’s next? If one of these locations caught your eye, or you’re just curious, we would love to hear from you. Send your CV, don’t worry if it’s not up to date, just reach out with whatever version you have to hand. We are more interested in the person behind it.
Join us here at Vetlife, where you will be trusted, supported, and encouraged to grow.
Veterinarians employer: Vet Finders
Vetlife offers a unique blend of local community feel and the support of a larger group. Located in the South Island, they provide mentorship and career growth opportunities. The team is dedicated to honest veterinary work and making a difference in the community.
