Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the role

We are looking for an infectious diseases physician to join our Infection Services team – someone who is ready for a challenge, eager to develop a new service, and committed to extending our care to the neighbouring district of Tairāwhiti.

Our well-established team of ID physicians, AMS pharmacists, HIV nurses, and infection prevention and control practitioners look after the people of the Bay of Plenty across Tauranga and Whakatāne Hospitals. While we cater well to our own district, others in our region have no such service. We already work closely with our southern neighbours in Lakes, supporting their solo practitioner and IPC team. With this role, we aim to develop a service that also supports Tairāwhiti in the east, working with their IPC nurses and AMS pharmacist to deliver multi-disciplinary infection care to the East Cape and beyond.

The successful candidate will work alongside the infection team in Bay of Plenty and the medical service in Tairāwhiti to establish the new service. They can live in either district, but regular time will be spent in both. Transport (flights or road, as needed) and accommodation on the second site will be provided. In addition to in-person work, service delivery will include virtual and phone consults. On-call duties across all sites will be shared among the ID specialists.

We are also enthusiastic about clinical infection-based research and currently participate in SNAP and ReMAP-CAP, with planning underway for ROADMAP and other bacteraemia and allergy-based projects. We regularly host fourth, fifth, and sixth-year medical students from the University of Auckland and are a popular run for overseas electives.

About the Team/Service/Location

Tauranga Hospital is a 359-bed facility providing acute general medical services, supported by resident specialists in cardiology, respiratory medicine, gastroenterology, endocrinology, rheumatology, infectious diseases, geriatric medicine, neurology, oncology, haematology, and renal services. This role includes planned care delivery in infectious diseases at both Tauranga Hospital and Whakatāne Hospital — a smaller level 2 hospital located south of Tauranga. Gisborne Hospital is a 112-bed facility serving a diverse area that ranges from urban to remote rural, with a high Māori population and complex infection needs.

About you

We welcome candidates with subspecialty qualifications and experience in infectious diseases, including trainees completing their training within the next six months. Given the service development aspect of this role, experience in service improvement or programme development is highly desirable. The ability and willingness to travel between districts is essential.

Applicants must hold, or be eligible for, vocational registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to delivering excellent healthcare for all New Zealanders. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to apply

To apply, please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by Thursday, 7 August 2025. For more information or to arrange a confidential chat, contact:

Service Business Leader: Sharon Turner – sharon.turner@bopdhb.govt.nz

Medical Leader: Dr Michelle Downie – michelle.downie@bopdhb.govt.nz

ID SMO: Dr Kate Grimwade –

kate.grimwade@bopdhb.govt.nz

We will review applications as they are received and may begin the recruitment process before the closing date.