Ophthalmology Fellow | 2026 at Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury, Christchurch

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Ophthalmology Fellow - Canterbury Eye Service
Location: Christchurch Hospital | Employment Type: Fixed-Term, Full-time, Flexible Start Date

Kia hiwa ra! Kia hiwa! | Seize the opportunity!

Come and join our fifth-year fellowship programme in Christchurch, a region renowned for its lifestyle, culture, and natural beauty. This is your chance to be part of a supportive department, committed to excellence in patient care, teaching, and research.

Enjoy the Benefits:
As an Ophthalmology Fellow, your salary and benefits will align with the ASMS Senior Medical and Dental Officers Collective Agreement, ensuring your experience is recognised. You'll also benefit from a generous Continuing Medical Education (CME) allowance and support to pursue research. You can expect to receive an annual salary of $179,480.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

As a Fellow with the Canterbury Eye Service, you - ll gain exposure to a broad range of subspecialties including medical retina, uveitis, glaucoma, paediatric, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, and anterior segment/corneal.

If you are interested in working as a comprehensive ophthalmologist, would like to increase your general ophthalmology experience, or have a particular area of interest, then this opportunity is for you. We can tailor the fellowship to your preferences, e.g. providing more focus in anterior segment, glaucoma or oculoplastics.

You will:

• work within a tertiary referral service providing care to a population of over 700,000 across the South Island;
• perform regular unsupervised cataract surgery lists;
• have access to supervised subspecialty operating lists, in your preferred areas;
• work with RANZCO trainees and junior registrars;
• contribute to the acute eye service; and
• have the opportunity to undertake research within the department.

About the Team

The Canterbury Eye Department is a large, friendly, and highly supportive team. With 13 consultants and a skilled group of nurses, orthoptists, optometrists, ophthalmology assistants and administrative staff, you - ll be joining a cohesive and collaborative environment.

More about living and working in Christchurch

About You

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• eligibility for registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand: Check eligibility here  ;
• previous ophthalmology experience, including surgical exposure (i.e. at least 3-4 years clinical ophthalmology experience, and the ability to perform cataract surgery independently, including managing cataract complications);
• the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment;
• the commitment to delivering patient-centred care; and
• having an interest or experience in research is an advantage.

Working at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and serve our community. We welcome applications from all, including Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

Click - Apply now - to submit your application. For further information about this opportunity, please contact:

Amy Walker - Recruitment Specialist | Amy.Walker@cdhb.health.nz

Nau mai, haere mai, tauti mai! | Welcome, we look forward to your application