Psychiatrist | Adult General

Make a meaningful impact. Shape modern general adult psychiatry. Live in one of New Zealand’s most exceptional cities.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and committed to delivering equitable, person‑centred care for all communities. We are seeking enthusiastic and committed Consultant Psychiatrists to join our Adult General Mental Health Service in Christchurch—clinicians who value collaboration, innovation and high‑quality specialist care.

About the Role

This role offers genuine scope, variety and professional influence. As part of our integrated Adult General Mental Health Service, you will provide specialist assessment and treatment for adults experiencing acute and enduring serious mental illness. Your work will span community and inpatient care, crisis response and recovery‑focused interventions. Our service is trauma‑informed and built on partnership, giving you the opportunity to form meaningful therapeutic relationships and deliver care that makes a real difference.

You will be an important clinical leader within a skilled multidisciplinary team, contributing your expertise while helping to shape service development, quality improvement and new models of care.

We support ongoing professional development, teaching, supervision and opportunities to pursue areas of special interest. Whether you prefer full‑time or part‑time work, you will enjoy clinical autonomy, strong collegial support and the chance to contribute to a service committed to excellence and continuous improvement.

About the Team | Service | Location

The Adult General Service sits within Specialist Mental Health Services, Waitaha Canterbury. The service includes acute inpatient care, community teams, emergency mental health, assertive outreach, rural mental health, early intervention and psychiatric consultation services. Across these teams, we provide comprehensive assessment, treatment and ongoing support for adults with serious and acute mental illness. A range of opportunities for Consultant Psychiatrists is available.

You will work alongside an experienced and cohesive team of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, lived experience specialists and Pūkenga Atawhai. Together, we deliver evidence‑based, person‑centred care guided by five strategic pillars:

·  Mana Tangata — Specialist care for people with serious or acute mental illness.

·  Matatau — Expert clinical assessment and treatment grounded in specialist knowledge.

·  Mahi Tahi — Collaborative practice with consumers, whānau and multidisciplinary teams.

·  Manaakitanga — A culture of compassion, wellbeing and respect.

·  Whanaungatanga — Strong partnerships across health, social and community sectors.

Why Christchurch?

Christchurch offers an enviable lifestyle—where world‑class outdoor recreation meets a vibrant, modern city. Mountain biking before work, skiing in winter, surfing in summer, hiking, wineries, cafés, excellent schools and affordable living are all within easy reach.

As New Zealand’s fastest‑growing city, Christchurch combines opportunity, accessibility and natural beauty. It is a place where you can build the career you want without compromising the life you want.

About You

You are committed to delivering high‑quality, recovery‑focused mental health care and thrive in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. You bring:

·  Vocational registration (or eligibility) with the Medical Council of New Zealand in Psychiatry.

·  Fellowship with RANZCP or an equivalent recognised qualification.

·  Experience across adult mental health settings—community, inpatient or crisis

·  Strong communication skills and a compassionate, partnership‑based approach to care.

·  A commitment to clinical excellence, continuous improvement and equitable outcomes.

International applicants are warmly welcomed. We have extensive experience supporting overseas‑trained Psychiatrists through the Medical Council of New Zealand registration and relocation process.

We welcome informal conversations prior to a formal application if you would like to learn more about our services, current opportunities or how your skills and interests might align with our team. Please feel free to contact Megan McQuarrie, Service Manager, at megan.mcquarrie@cdhb.health.nz or 021564715.

Apply now

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