Guide To Working In Invercargill, New Zealand

For medical professionals, navigating your career path often involves moving to new locations. Adapting to your new environment is the key to success for any relocation. This guide aims to ease your transition by detailing what you can expect from Invercargill – from its unique character and local lifestyle to its healthcare infrastructure. This post is part of a wider series that showcases what it is like to work in New Zealand.

About Invercargill – Everything You Need To Know

Invercargill is home to approximately 52,000 people (according to the Stats NZ June 2024 estimates). Invercargill offers a friendly, down-to-earth lifestyle with a strong sense of community and is known for its wide streets, beautiful Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and easy access to stunning natural landscapes.

Often referred to as "Southland's Capital," Invercargill is known for its unique character and a relaxed pace of life. A growing appreciation for its heritage buildings, a strong local arts scene, and its proximity to incredible outdoor adventures make it an appealing spot for both residents and visitors.

Where Is Invercargill Located?

The southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, Invercargill is located in the Southland region of the lower South Island of New Zealand. Situated on the fertile Southland Plains, it's the gateway to some of New Zealand's most breathtaking natural wonders, including Fiordland National Park and Stewart Island.

Cost Of Living In Invercargill

Is it expensive to live in Invercargill? Compared to larger cities like Auckland, Wellington, and even Christchurch, Invercargill generally offers some of the most affordable housing in New Zealand.

Average daily living costs in Invercargill are broadly similar to the rest of New Zealand, and its relatively compact size can mean lower commuting costs, however getting to the rest of New Zealand can be expensive as it requires travel over significant distances (the only way is up!)

Essential services such as electricity and internet are readily available with a range of providers and plans. These services are typically charged at comparable rates across New Zealand.

Invercargill Demographics

According to the 2023 Census data the median age of people living in Invercargill is approximately 40 years, which is just above the national median age of 38.1.

Invercargill is a diverse city with a mix of ethnicities, reflecting New Zealand's multicultural population. According to the 2023 Census, the largest ethnic groups in Invercargill were European, Māori, and Asian.

Transportation In Invercargill

Getting around Invercargill is pretty simple for the most part. The city is well laid out with wide streets, making driving easy. Public bus services are available, and taxi services are also an option.

Invercargill also has a domestic airport, offering regular flights to major New Zealand cities like Christchurch and Auckland, providing convenient connections for residents and visitors.

Invercargill is also the perfect gateway to the rest of Southland and beyond, with the stunning bays, dense forests and rare birdlife of Stewart Island just a leisurely ferry ride away.

Invercargill Weather And Climate

Invercargill experiences cooler temperatures than the majority of New Zealand due to its more southern location. Summers typically see average temperatures ranging from 17 to 20 degrees Celsius, while winters average between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius. The city is known for its brisk southerly winds, especially in winter.

While Invercargill receives a moderate amount of rainfall throughout the year, it's also famous for its long summer daylight hours. Snow is relatively rare in the city itself but can fall on surrounding hills and mountains during winter.

Education Services In Invercargill

Invercargill has access to the general New Zealand primary and secondary education system, which is freely available to residents, and there are also a number of private schools in the city, providing various choices for families.

The main higher education option in Invercargill is the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), a prominent tertiary provider known for its "Zero Fees Scheme" and range of vocational, technical, and degree-level qualifications.

Top 5 Things To Do In Invercargill

Invercargill is a great place for families of all shapes and sizes, the city is well-equipped with a range of shops, cultural attractions, lively restaurants and bars, as well as numerous nature reserves and parks. Our top 5 things to do in Invercargill are:

• Catch A Glimpse Of The Aurora Australis. The New Zealand equivalent of the famous ‘Northern Lights’, the Aurora Australis is particularly spectacular from Invercargill due to its long and clear nights that stretch across the winter months. The Milky Way and Southern Cross are also easily visible year-round!
• Queens Park. A local favourite with its sprawling 80 hectares of sports areas, wildlife habitats, playgrounds and neatly-manicured gardens. Queens Park also has an impressive bird aviary, small animal area and a mini disc golf. Those looking for a way to get even closer to nature will enjoy the many great hikes available close by, including the soaring peaks of the Routeburn Track, and the vast high country and limestone formations of the Kepler Track.
• Oreti Beach And Sandy Point. Just a short drive from the city, Oreti Beach is one of the few beaches in New Zealand where you can drive your vehicle on to the beach and its also the famous training ground for speed motorcycle enthusiast Burt Munro. Sandy Point Domain, at the southern end of the beach has some beautiful walking trails, bike tracks and opportunities for birdwatching.
• Bill Richardson Transport World. A must for "petrolheads" and their families – enjoy the largest private automotive collection in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring hundreds of beautifully restored trucks, cars, and motorbikes.
• Dig This Invercargill. For a truly unique experience, head out to Dig This Invercargill. New Zealand's only heavy machinery playground, you can get behind the controls of diggers, bulldozers, and skid steers for a thrilling, hands-on adventure!

Healthcare Facilities in Invercargill

Te Whatu Ora Southern governs the healthcare facilities in Invercargill (encompassing all of the Southland region) serving a diverse population of over 370,000 people.

Throughout their network of facilities, Health NZ Southern operates Southland Hospital in Invercargill as the hub for the region, complemented by smaller rural health centres and community initiatives.

Healthcare services provided focus on a broad spectrum, including Māori and Pasifika health, general medical and surgical services, specialist care for older persons and rehabilitation, dedicated mental health services, and comprehensive women's and children's health services.

Southland Hospital acts as a key referral centre, offering a wide array of acute, elective, and outpatient services. The hospital's Emergency Department is a busy entry point for patients, managing a significant number of cases each year. Over recent years, Southland Hospital has seen various upgrades and developments, continuously enhancing its facilities and services to meet the community's needs.

The Southland Hospital is modern and well-equipped, featuring state-of-the-art technology such as a 1.5T MRI Scanner, PACS digital radiology, 62-slice CT Scanner and an IPM electronic patient management system, as well as Ultrasound, X-Ray and Nuclear Medicine capabilities. It is also a teaching hospital, with ties to the University of Otago, the Southern Institute of Technology and Otago Polytechnic.

For doctors and health staff seeking to contribute to a modern, community-focused health service in a unique part of New Zealand, Invercargill and the wider Southern district offer an appealing option.

Working In Invercargill

Invercargill offers a welcoming community and a relatively compact job market, making it a good option for those who prefer a smaller community-based environment. For health professionals, there are solid job prospects and learning opportunities within the Health NZ Southern framework. Southland Hospital and the various community health services regularly have roles available across different specialities, from GP to specialised surgical and medical fields.

Beyond healthcare, Invercargill's job market is diverse, with significant strengths in agriculture, logistics, and the service sectors. The city's status as a regional hub means opportunities within numerous local businesses provide a range of career pathways for individuals and families considering a move to New Zealand's deep south.

For a relaxed lifestyle and the opportunity to work in a relatively small, modern hospital – there’s no better place than Invercargill! To learn more about the region and any potential locum and permanent opportunities, please contact the Triple0 team today.

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