Nelson Marlborough

Located at the top of the South Island, the Nelson Marlborough region has been dubbed the artistic capital with a thriving urban centre and is one of New Zealand's sunniest regions.

Photo location: Torrent Bay, Abel Tasman - Credit: NelsonTasmanNZ

Kayaking Torrent Bay, Abel Tasman - Credit: NelsonTasmanNZ
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About the Region

The Nelson Marlborough region is located at the top of the South Island of New Zealand and geographically, near the center of New Zealand, with Nelson being the northernmost part of the region and Murchison in the south. 

Sunny Nelson is known as the sunniest place in New Zealand, famous for its spectacular natural environment. Picton is renowned for stunning scenic bays, fishing spots, boutique accommodations and water sports. Blenheim has the largest wine-growing area in the country, the hub of the famous Marlborough wine district.

Nelson Marlborough
Giesen Wines vineyard

Health New Zealand - Nelson Marlborough

About Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora is the Government organisation that provides publicly-funded universal health care to 5 million Kiwis.

The management and delivery of health services are broken down into 'Districts' across the country, determined by both geographic location and population.

 

About the Health New Zealand - Nelson Marlborough District

Health New Zealand - Nelson Marlborough is the main health provider for the Top of the South, providing services to 150,000 people across the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions.

As the largest employer in the region, there are over 3,000 team members.

View vacancies in this district

Photo location: Giesen Vineyard, Marlborough

Hospitals and Healthcare Providers

Nelson and Wairau (Blenheim) are the main hospitals. Our regional services support all parts of the community. We focus on building teams; and practice environments that retain, grow, enable, and extend the workforce. 

The Nelson Marlborough region has two other hospitals as part of our organisation these are:

  • Alexandra Hospital has two main services Older Persons Mental Health – Community, and Older Persons Mental Health Admissions Unit and cares for people with conditions related to Dementia and mental health decline requiring a short stay for assessment and referring to aged residential care or a support service.

  • Murchison Hospital provides specialised staff to respond to accidents and emergencies via 111. It has a 6-bed aged care facility and offers a Health Centre for general practitioner clinics.

 

Community Health Centres

  • Richmond Health Hub
  • Marlborough Health Hub
  • Motueka Health Centre
  • Golden Bay Health Centre
A community nurse looking through an otoscope to check the ear of a young patient

Health services in Nelson Marlborough

Services A to G

Accessing urgent dental care during Alert Level 3
Acute and urgent mental health services
Adolescent oral health service
After hours and emergency services
Alcohol and drug addiction services
Alcohol harm prevention
Assessment, treatment and rehabilitation
B4 school check programme
Biosecurity and safety at NZ borders
Burial and cremation duties
Cancer screening and support services
Cardiology services
Child and Family/Whānau Safety Service
Child and youth mental health services
Child oral health service
Childhood immunisation
Clinical psychology
Communicable illnesses
Community and outpatient services
Community mental health services
Day stay procedures
Disability services for under-65s
Disability Support Services
Drinking-water supply safety
Emergency departments
Endocrinology services
Family health services
Free Phone Helplines
Gastroenterology services
General practices

Services H to Z

Haematology services
Hazardous substance management
Healthy homes
Hospital dental services
Hospital pharmacies
Hygiene and clean water during a flood
Inpatient and Outpatient Specialist Mental Health Services
Join the trend – quit smoking for World Smokefree Day
Medical and surgical services
Medical unit
Medlab South
Mental health and addiction services
Māori community health services
Māori health services
Māori mental health services
Needs Assessment Service
Nelson Marlborough public health nursing service
Neonatal units
Nephrology (renal medicine) services
Neurology services
New stop-smoking services aim for success
Nutrition and dietetics
Occupational therapy
Oncology (cancer treatment)
Oral health education
Oral health services (dental care)
Orthotics
Paediatrics
Palliative care
Physiotherapy
Plastic surgery
Radiology services
Resource Management Act duties
Respiratory medicine
Safe sleep for babies
Services for older people
Sexual and reproductive health services
Social work
Speech and language therapy
Suicide prevention
Support World Smokefree Day 31 May
Surgical outpatient services
Te Waka Hauora hospital service
Women’s health

Relocating to Nelson Marlborough

As you gear up for Nelson Marlborough, we're here to make sure your adventure goes well beyond the workplace. Get ready for a spectacular experience.

The markets, NelsonTasmanNZ - Credit: Richmond Unlimited

Getting around

Discover Nelson Marlborough - your adventure awaits! Traveling around Nelson Marlborough is a scenic and enjoyable experience.

The markets, NelsonTasmanNZ - Credit: Richmond Unlimited

Getting around

Photo location: Nelson - Credit: Richmond Unlimited

When you arrive

Driving in New Zealand

You can legally drive in NZ for up to 12 months per visit with your current driver's license. After 12 months, you will need to convert to a New Zealand license. Useful information about driving in NZ can be found here.

 

Other ways to travel Nelson Marlborough
  • Nbus operates routes from the Nelson city centre to outer suburbs​ and InterCity offers buses to and from Picton via Nelson.
  • Catch the InterIslander ferry to and from Picton which offers frequent sailings daily; Also, water taxis from Picton to any destination in the Queen Charlotte Sound.
  • Taxis, shuttles, rental vehicles and other ride sharing services are also available in Nelson, Picton and Blenheim.
Motueka Waterfront Aerial View - Credit: abeltasman.com

Housing options

Emigrating to a new country is an exciting adventure, and we understand that securing the perfect home is top priority!

Motueka Waterfront Aerial View - Credit: abeltasman.com

Housing options

Photo location: Motueka - Credit: abeltasman.com

When you arrive

You may consider booking short-term accommodation ahead of your arrival, then search for long-term accommodation when you arrive. The cost and availability of short-term accommodation varies widely through the year. It can be affected by tourism peak season, university start dates and school holidays, to name a few. Familiarise yourself with the city and view available long-term accommodation to ensure it suits your preference. Several considerations to make are proximity to the workplace available nearby schools for the kids, and the ideal size of the property. Some may also find that flatting would be a more suitable arrangement.

Temporary accommodation options

 

Rentals

Renting is a fantastic way to explore and familiarise yourself with the diverse neighbourhoods of Nelson and Marlborough. As well as local rental agencies which may assist you in finding a rental property, searching online is also a good place to start! Note that most rentals in Aotearoa are unfurnished however furniture and whiteware can be rented in some parts of the country. 


Rental agencies

 

Buying or building a house

We know that moving to a new country is a major move, and buying or building a house there makes it even more significant. If you're in a healthcare profession on New Zealand's "Green List" of occupations, you're in a unique position to fast-track your residency, bringing you closer to the dream of owning a home in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Normally, only residents and citizens can buy a house to live in, in Aotearoa. When you can, use this tool to find out if you can purchase a house in New Zealand.

 

Kayaker at Lake Rotoiti - Credit: Oliver Weber, NelsonTasmanNZ Cycling Lublows Leap on Baton River - Credit: Virginia Woolf Photography

Take the next step

Made the decision to move to New Zealand - Aotearoa?

Fill out our five-minute form with your details, and we'll match you to your preferred location based on your experience and preferences.

Photo location + credit, from left: Baton River, Tasman (Virginia Woolf); Lake Rotoiti (Oliver Weber)

Register with Health New Zealand

We'd love to help, reach out to us!

Interested in relocating to the Nelson Marlborough region? Our dedicated team is here to provide guidance and support throughout your journey, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

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