New graduate and mentorship opportunities
Develop your career with VSA outside of a solely specialist pathway
We offer three formal programs with structured support, designed to develop veterinarians at different stages of their career. Whether you’re a new graduate finding your feet, a clinician wondering if specialisation is right for you, or someone ready to commit to that pathway, each gives you access to some of New Zealand’s most experienced specialists, across a breadth of cases you won’t find anywhere else in the country.
New Graduate Program: structured support for veterinarians just starting out, helping you build clinical confidence and find your direction in early practice.
Animal Emergency Mentorship: purpose-built for clinicians already in practice who are weighing up whether specialisation is the right path for them — giving exposure to referral-level work without requiring commitment to that pathway.
Rotating Internship: established in 2002 in association with Zoetis (previously Pfizer) to provide a clear, formal pathway for veterinarians progressing towards specialisation — with over 33 graduates to date.
Internship
The Rotating Internship program was established in 2002 in association with Zoetis (previously Pfizer) to provide a pathway for veterinarians to progress to specialisation.
Over 33 veterinarians have completed the program, with 12 completing residency programs and earning specialist status in their chosen field including surgery, radiology, internal medicine, cardiology, and dermatology.
Founded on a commitment to advanced specialist veterinary care, Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa has grown into New Zealand’s leading specialist veterinary organisation. Through hard work, passion, and dedication, VSA was established over 20 years ago as the country’s first privately owned veterinary referral hospital, beginning in Mt Albert, Auckland.
New Graduate & Mentorship Programs
Our New Graduate Program has been created with new graduates in mind, particularly those who want to pursue small animal clinical practice and are looking to develop their experience. It is equally suited for future general practice vets or those who are not sure which area of clinical practice interests them.
Our Mentorship Program is designed for veterinarians already in practice who are looking to explore referral and emergency work. It offers a supportive introduction without the long-term commitment required for rotating internships or specialisation pathways.
Our goal is to provide vets at every level with a supportive environment to develop their communication and clinical skills, while gaining insight into referral practice.
Which program is right for me?
Internship Program
New Graduate Program
Mentorship Program
Who is the program best for?
The intern program has been specifically designed to support qualified veterinarians who intend to specialise.
This program is ideal to provide new graduates with a supported introduction to high-level clinical practice.
This program is aimed at veterinarians with at least one year of small animal clinical experience.
What qualifications do I need to be eligible?
You must be a veterinarian with qualifications recognised in New Zealand. Both new graduates and those with experience in practice are welcome to apply.
You must be a veterinarian with qualifications recognised in New Zealand.
You must be a veterinarian with qualifications recognised in New Zealand.
Previous Veterinary Clinical Practice Experience?
Not required
Less than 1 year of veterinary small animal clinical practice
More than 1 year of veterinary small animal clinical practice
Does it include specialist rotations?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Is it formally recognised for specialist training?
Yes
No
No
Will you get your own caseload?
No
Yes
Yes
What is the employment contract term?
Fixed term 12 months
Permanent fulltime
Fixed term 12 months
What hours will you work?
40 hours per week on specialist rotation, 35-45 per week on emergency rotation
40 hours per week on specialist rotation, 35-45 per week on emergency rotation
40 hours per week on specialist rotation, 35-45 per week on emergency rotation
Application opening date
Monday 18 May 2026
1 July 2026
Applications accepted anytime
Application closing date
Sunday 21 June 2026
31 October 2026
N/A
Contract start date
Last week of January
Second week of January, second week of August
Negotiable
Contract end date
12 months
N/A
12 months
If you have questions about which pathway might be right for you, please get in touch at careers@vsnz.co.nz.
Working as an emergency vet
The VSA Animal Emergency Mentorship is structured so that mentees always feel supported in their practice.
There is no pressure to progress before you are ready, but there will be many opportunities for you to take advantage of.
Specialist rotations
During the 12 month VSA Animal Emergency Mentorship, three months are spent rotating through our specialist referral services within the hospitals.
You will have the opportunity to spend time in the cardiology, imaging, internal medicine and surgery departments.
Part of a supportive team
When you join the VSA Animal Emergency Mentorship, you are joining a team that pride themselves on being a supportive whanau.
Whatever time of day you are in the hospital there is always someone there to help and provide support to you when needed.