I initially moved to New Zealand with my partner in March 2024 after working in the NHS in Manchester as an occupational therapist, completing a rotational role within a hospital setting. At the time, the move was meant to be a break from the UK healthcare system and an opportunity to travel. The plan was fairly open-ended: explore New Zealand, maybe work our way back through Australia and Asia, and then see what happened next.

However, it didn’t take long for those plans to change. We fell in love with New Zealand almost immediately.

The first few months were all about adventure. We bought a van and travelled around both the North and South Islands, taking in the incredible landscapes and exploring as much as we could. After that, we moved to the central North Island near Mount Ruapehu, where we worked at Whakapapa Ski Resort. My partner and I stayed there for over a year, working winter and summer seasons at the ski field. By that point, we knew our time in New Zealand wasn’t over, and we started thinking more seriously about staying long term.

That’s when I decided to transfer my occupational therapy registration. The process was surprisingly straightforward and only took a few weeks once all documentation was submitted and confirmed. Around this time, I got in touch with Healthcare Abroad to explore job opportunities. We knew we wanted to move to Auckland, as my partner was planning to start a PhD there, and while I had really enjoyed my inpatient hospital rotations, I felt ready to try something different outside of the public health system.

Healthcare Abroad were incredibly supportive and helped me secure a role in a sports medicine clinic working within the ACC concussion service. Moving into a private clinic setting after a year and a half away from occupational therapy — and coming from a hospital background — was definitely a big change. However, it turned out to be a fascinating and rewarding learning experience.

My current role involves supporting people with all types of concussion throughout their recovery. It draws heavily on core occupational therapy principles: gathering information, planning rehabilitation, setting meaningful goals, and building strong therapeutic relationships. A big focus is ensuring recovery plans align with each patient’s personal goals, are engaging, and fit realistically into their lives.

It’s been incredible working alongside some of New Zealand’s leading concussion specialists, particularly within the sports medicine space. New Zealand is such an active country, with a strong culture of outdoor adventure and contact sports like rugby. This means we work with many motivated, sporty individuals who are keen to return to their previous level of function. It’s genuinely an honour to support people through their recovery from head injuries.

I currently work across two clinics in Auckland and have also been involved in the development of my company’s concussion service in Christchurch. Through this, I support patients in the South Island virtually, which has been a great opportunity to expand my skills and be part of growing a service from the ground up.

Alongside traditional OT roles such as supporting return to work, pacing strategies, and symptom management, I’ve also been learning how to navigate New Zealand’s ACC system. ACC is a unique, no-fault insurance scheme that supports people recovering from injuries, including concussion. It covers medical and rehabilitation support and plays a central role in patient recovery pathways.

Within the concussion service, my role is not only as an occupational therapist but also as a key worker. This means I’m the main point of contact for patients, coordinating care between clinicians, liaising with ACC, and advocating for patients’ needs throughout their recovery. The service strongly promotes multidisciplinary team (MDT) working, with regular meetings involving medical specialists, neuropsychologists, and therapists to ensure patients receive well-coordinated and effective care.

From a professional development perspective, I’ve felt very supported. Within the OT team, we have regular complex case discussions, ongoing CPD opportunities, and biweekly supervision as part of my introduction to practice in New Zealand. The Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand requires overseas-trained therapists to complete a six-month return-to-practice programme, which includes learning how to practise in a culturally responsive way in line with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

It’s coming up to two years since I moved to New Zealand, and during that time I’ve met incredible people, visited unforgettable places, and had opportunities I never would have experienced if I’d stayed in the UK. I’m also very grateful that occupational therapy is on New Zealand’s Green List, which meant I was eligible to apply for a straight-to-residence visa once I had a job offer, with the option to apply for permanent residency after two years.

Living in Auckland has also been a great base for exploring the rest of the country. It’s easy to get away on weekends, with access to stunning beaches, coastal walks, and outdoor adventures right on the doorstep, which has made balancing work and lifestyle incredibly rewarding.

I would encourage anyone considering working abroad to take the leap. Exploring different healthcare systems and opportunities has shown me career paths I didn’t even know were possible. I’m excited to see what the rest of my time in New Zealand holds, and I’m extremely grateful to Healthcare Abroad for helping me find such a unique opportunity to grow and develop as a dynamic, holistic occupational therapist.