The lifestyle of New Zealand’s North and South Islands

In the final part of a five-part series based on a new guide by Pulse, Rachel Carter looks at what life is like on the two islands that principally make up New Zealand

Both the North and South Islands offer exciting opportunities for GPs, but the lifestyle and practice environment can feel different depending on where you land, according to medical recruitment consultants Good Together, who support doctors making the transition to Aotearoa New Zealand (the Māori-language name for New Zealand). Some doctors are naturally drawn to the warmer, more coastal environments of the North, while others are more attracted to the mountains and outdoor lifestyle of the South Island.

Here we explore what they both have to offer.

North Island

In the North Island you will find softer landscapes than the South but equally stunning scenery, with rolling green hills, lush forests, ancient volcanoes, glowworm caves, and the deep blue Lake Taupo, the country’s largest lake. Around 4 million people live in the North Island, making it the country’s main population hub. It is home to around 90% of New Zealand’s Māori population, many of whom live in the upper and central part of the Island.

The major cities in the North Island are Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton. Smaller options include Tauranga, situated in the Bay of Plenty, and New Plymouth, on the Island’s west coast, which is especially popular with surfers. Northland is one of the country’s more rural regions, with many smaller and more dispersed communities. Other regions such as Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne are important to consider, alongside areas like Taranaki, Manawatū-Whanganui, and Wairarapa. Each offers their own distinct lifestyle, community feel, and patient population.

Hawke’s Bay is known for its sunny climate, vineyards, and sense of community, while Gisborne offers a more remote, coastal lifestyle and is one of the first places in the world to see the sunrise each day. Both regions have significant Māori populations and offer opportunities for doctors to work in communities with higher health needs and strong cultural identity.

While the North Island’s larger cities provide easy access to urban amenities and a more energetic, cosmopolitan lifestyle, nature is always on your doorstep. The cost of living is higher than in the South, with families living in Auckland or Wellington estimated to need an annual household income of at least NZ$120,000 (£52,000) to live comfortably, compared with NZ$80,000 to $100,000 (£35,000 to £44,000) for Christchurch and Dunedin, according to the KiwiCost guide.

You are likely to find more urban and suburban practices with larger, more diverse patient populations on the North Island, though there are also rural opportunities.

Dr Julia Hook, who relocated to New Zealand in November 2025 opted for the Kāpiti Coast, in the Wellington region. ‘I’ve got friends in Auckland and Nelson, so it was kind of somewhere in the middle for me,’ she says. ‘Location and amenities were quite important to me in choosing where to go, and then the practice just seemed nice and seemed to operate in a way I liked.’

‘There is so much to do in terms of tramping, as well as beaches and reserves. It is so near to Wellington too, you can jump on the train and be in the city with all its attractions in an hour.’

Meanwhile, Dr Valerie Kuan says she picked Auckland when she moved with her husband in 2022 because she loves the city. ‘Even so, you can’t find a coffee after 3pm for love nor money! But it’s just amazing that we’re two minutes from the beach where we can paddleboard and kayak, and we can drive half an hour to 20 different places for incredible hikes,’ she says.

South Island

From towering glaciers and snow-capped mountains to deep fiords and turquoise lakes, New Zealand’s South Island is renowned for its dramatic, expansive landscapes. While larger geographically than the North, it is home to only a quarter of the country’s total population, approximately 1.2 million people. The South Island is therefore much less densely populated, with more rural communities, smaller cities, and a greater distance between urban centres.

The main cities are Christchurch and Dunedin, which have a strong European heritage, giving the South Island a different character to the rest of the country. There is also Queenstown which, for doctors with a passion for adventure sports like skiing, mountaineering or bungy jumping, is arguably the place to be. Other areas GPs might want to consider include Nelson Tasman, the West Coast, and the remote and rugged Southland (see more below).

The South Island offers a slow pace of life and can be more affordable than some North Island centres, though this will vary depending on location. Queenstown is widely regarded as the most expensive location, with property prices averaging at $1.1m NZD. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom place is $2,511 NZD, and $3,897 NZD for a three-bedroom. In comparison, the average house price in the southernmost city, Invercargill, is $420,000 NZD, while a one bedroom rental averages at $1,386 per month, and a three-bedroom at $2,122.

While generally mild, the South Island’s climate is cooler and a little more unpredictable than its Northern counterpart. Parts of the island experience high rainfall during the year and it is not uncommon to experience freezing conditions in winter and heavy snowfall, especially inland near the Southern Alps. However, it also boasts the sunniest New Zealand regions – Nelson and Marlborough – with each getting around 2,300 hours of sunshine each year. January and February are the hottest months, with maximum average highs between 20 to 25°C. July is the coldest, with average daytime temperatures typically ranging between 5 and 15°C.

The South Island often appeals to GPs interested in rural medicine or working in smaller communities. ‘The South Island generally tends to attract doctors who are looking for both professional variety and work/life balance – someone who wants the lifestyle, without the intensity of larger centres,’ says Moana Bywater, director of Good Together recruitment consultants.

‘A lot of doctors, including our doctors from the UK, say they have rediscovered the joy of general practice in the South Island, because the work feels so varied, the communities are connected, and a life outside the clinic becomes possible.’

This is the final part of our series on New Zealand. If you are considering a move (far) down under, waimarie pai as they say in New Zealand.

You can find the full series here, and download the full report here