A Pilot Study of British and Irish Junior Doctors in Auckland, New Zealand, Using a Questionnaire to Explore Motivations and Intentions

Introduction As dissatisfaction grows amongst junior doctors working in the NHS and Health Service Executive (HSE, Ireland's national public health system), an increasing number of them are reported to be considering leaving the UK and Ireland. Over the last few decades, New Zealand has been an emigration destination for many doctors. This preliminary study of British and Irish junior doctors working in Auckland, New Zealand, aimed to explore their motivations for leaving the UK and Ireland and discover if their expectations had matched their experiences, in order to aid further research across the country. Methods An online survey was sent to all British and Irish house officer doctors working in public hospitals in the Auckland region in March 2025. Responses were analysed with descriptive statistics. Results The survey was sent to 55 doctors and there were 23 responses. Many reported dissatisfaction with working life, more so in the NHS and HSE than Te Whatu Ora (New Zealand's national public health system). Twenty-one out of 23 (91%) respondents had moved to New Zealand seeking a better work-life balance, however some felt they had less free time working in Te Whatu Ora. Nineteen out of 23 respondents (83%) intended to leave New Zealand, mainly to be closer to family and friends. Conclusion Despite most of this cohort of British and Irish junior doctors moving to New Zealand for a better work-life balance, some felt they worked more hours in Te Whatu Ora. Most still intended to return home, regardless of potential changes in Te Whatu Ora. Further research across the country is needed to determine if these findings are representative of all British and Irish junior doctors in New Zealand.