"Companion Animal Practicing Veterinarian/Senior Practicing Veterinarian "

Job title: Companion animal practicing veterinarian/senior practicing veterinarian

Department: School of Veterinary Science

Location: Manawatū campus, Palmerston North

Closing date: 22 March 2026

Tāwharau Ora, the School of Veterinary Sciences at Massey University, Palmerston North, invites applications for a Companion Animal Practicing Veterinarian or Senior Practicing Veterinarian to join the Small Animal Hospital of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Ko wai mātou | About us

Our AVMA accredited veterinary programme is world renowned, providing quality, research-led education. The Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) is a state-of-the-art facility, offering New Zealand’s most comprehensive veterinary expertise. We are open to the public, offering routine small animal services, specialist diagnostic procedures and treatments, and a 24/7 Pet Emergency Centre. The veterinary facilities have recently undergone a major refurbishment to ensure Massey remains at the forefront of international veterinary scientific research and teaching and helps meet the growing demand for qualified veterinarians.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

This is a full-time position in our Companion Animal Community Practice, located on the Manawatū campus in Palmerston North. The Community Practice is our primary care service that hosts a mandatory 3-week rotation in wellness, general, and preventive care.

With the goal of immersing final year veterinary student in a high-quality general practice environment, this role includes:

• small animal medicine

• surgery

• basic dentistry

• shelter medicine

The majority of the caseload is canine and feline, but interest in small mammals is encouraged.

This is a clinical role with an emphasis on clinical instruction and patient care in the hospital. Time not assigned to clinical instruction and patient care on clinical rotations will be devoted to classroom / laboratory teaching, scholarship, and service.

Mōu | About you

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• A Bachelor of Veterinary Science or equivalent and are you registered (or able to be registered) as a veterinarian in NZ. Your veterinary degree must be from an AVMA-accredited school or one recognised by the New Zealand Veterinary Council to enable full registration in New Zealand as a veterinarian.

• 3-5 (or more) years of experience in small animal clinical practice.

• The drive to upskill and grow or rediscover your passion for helping animals and their owners.

• Experience and empathy towards the cultural, emotional and physical state of our clients and patients alike.

• A positive attitude and a passion for teamwork, critical care, and client relations.

• A genuine interest in undergraduate and postgraduate clinical instruction.

• Eligibility to work in NZ.

The successful candidate must possess a strong commitment to excellence in patient care, service to clients, and clinical teaching, as well as strong leadership and communications skills.

Ko ngā hua o te tūranga? | What’s in it for you?

The Massey University VTH boasts a collegial environment committed to mentoring new staff to be successful in their academic career. We are committed to developing educators as well as clinicians.

Our staff have access to:

• CPD and formal training pathways for educators such as AFHEA/FHEA accreditation.

• “train-the-trainer” programs.

• internal/external teaching development opportunities.

• support in building research portfolios with mentoring, grant-writing support, and collaborative project opportunities.

• Additional benefits of being a Massey staff member including 5 days additional leave through university holidays (this is on top of your standard 4 weeks annual leave!!!), discounts at leading local retailers, reduced membership fees at the Massey Recreation Centre and Gym, access to EAP and much more!

• Excellent opportunities for continuing professional development for the successful candidate (e.g. further formal university education or study towards clinical qualifications).

New staff are assigned an experienced staff mentor, and the Department has an excellent record in helping clinical staff successfully earn promotion and tenure. To find out more about the VTH here.

The Salary Range for this role is at a Practicing/Senior Practicing Veterinarian grade, ranging from $86,113 - 152,712 (NZD). Further discussions can be had, where necessary, to meet competitive conditions, qualifications and experience.

Relocation support for international candidates is provided.

Living in the Manawatū

The Massey University VTH sits on the Turitea campus of Massey University, located in Palmerston North. Palmerton North sits in the heart of the Manawatu region of the North Island, New Zealand.

If you are not familiar with Palmerston North, it is a family-friendly, eminently bikeable, compact city of approximately 88,000 people and is centrally located on the North Island of New Zealand https://manawatunz.co.nz/live/

We are a welcoming, friendly, multi-cultural city, with excellent parks and schools and easy access to outdoor activities such as hiking, road and mountain biking, outstanding golf courses and surfing. The city has a lively café culture, abundant restaurants, a diverse range of community groups, and hosts large local and national level cultural events.

During your downtime, less than a two-hour drive away from Palmerston North you can be immersed in the vibrant culture of our capital city Wellington, touring our world-renowned wine-growing country in the sunny Hawkes Bay, snow skiing on Mt Ruapehu, or water skiing at Lake Taupō.

We welcome applicants from all career stages, and candidates returning to academia from clinical practice are encouraged to apply. Flexible start dates are negotiable.

If you are ready for a change and are looking for a position that can provide you with professional and intellectual opportunities as well as an appealing lifestyle, apply now!

Enquiries may be directed to Thomas Odom; t.odom@massey.ac.nz

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and appointments may be made prior to the closing date. Apply now!