Rebecca – Physiotherapist

My name is Rebecca. I am a Physiotherapist. I came to NZ in December 2022 from the USA. I started working with ACCENT in June 2022, accepted a job offer in August 2022 and arrived in NZ in December 2022.

The easiest part of the process was working with Hayley, who made the job search and visa process much easier than it could have been. The most challenging part for me was registering with the physio board — since the NZ health system is so different from the USA system, it took me a while to gather sufficient evidence for my application.

Hayley worked with me to find a job that fit exactly what I was looking for. It was really helpful to have guidance to find the right job offer as well as with the visa process. I am still working for the same company over a year later.

My first impressions of New Zealand were that everything is so laid back here. The people are really sweet, friendly and so helpful. What I specifically like about New Zealand is that it’s beautiful and I appreciate the easy going lifestyle. I also feel like there is a lot of freedom to work how I want to, and family is such a priority for everyone.

I live in Hawke’s Bay. Hawke’s Bay is beautiful, and I really appreciate the availability of fresh and local food — I did not realise it was “the fruit bowl” of New Zealand! I am happy to be in a place where everything is a short drive away, but if you drive a little further you are surrounded by hills, farmland or ocean.

My current role in NZ and my previous role in the USA are very different. There are fully funded programmes here categorised based on the client’s needs, whereas back home it was all based on your insurance provider. There is a lot more interdisciplinary teamwork here, and I wish it was this easy back home to access services like psychology or equipment to support people in their recovery. That aspect has been really refreshing.

My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is to do your research before you move. It’s a great place to be, but it is expensive to live here — housing can be limited, particularly in areas where there is a shortage, which leads to higher rent.

Rebecca