Registered Nurse Jobs NZ — Te Whatu Ora Pay, CV & Interview Tools

Pay check

Te Whatu Ora RN pay steps (2026)

Public-sector RN pay is set by the NZNO/Te Whatu Ora collective. Private and aged-care vary. Specialty allowances and senior nurse roles sit above step 7.

New Graduate / Step 1

$75K

NETP year. Roughly $36/hr base.

Step 3–4

$83K–$92K

Clinical RN, 2–4 years post-reg.

Step 7 (top of scale)

$106K

7+ years, around $51/hr base.

Senior Nurse / CNS / NP

$110K–$160K+

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, or senior leadership.

Your toolkit

3 tools for NZ RNs

Nursing interview simulator

AI plays a Nurse Manager and asks real scenario questions — escalation, infection control, Te Tiriti, difficult patients. Scored out of 100.

Practise now →

Nursing CV + cover letter

AI writes a CV that leads with your NCNZ reg, APC expiry, clinical area, patient load and preceptor roles — in Te Whatu Ora language.

Write my CV →

RN pay check

Your step, your allowances, private vs public, and how much moving specialty would change your take-home.

Check my pay →

FAQ

Questions NZ RNs ask

What are the Te Whatu Ora RN pay steps in 2026?

Step 1 (new graduate) around $75,000, rising through steps 2–6 to Step 7 at roughly $106,000 for RNs with 7+ years. Specialty, night and weekend allowances sit on top. Senior Nurses, CNS and NP roles sit above Step 7.

How do I write an NZ nursing CV?

Two pages max. Lead with your NCNZ registration, APC expiry and scope. List clinical areas (ED, med-surg, ICU, aged care, community), patient load, ratios, preceptor or leadership roles, and any PGCert papers. Two clinical referees.

What questions do Te Whatu Ora nursing interviews ask?

Expect scenario-based: escalation of a deteriorating patient, infection-control breach, conflict with a colleague, a cultural-safety situation, and how you uphold Te Tiriti in practice. Have 3–4 clinical stories ready in STAR format. Practise out loud — our Interview Simulator asks exactly these.

I’m an overseas-trained RN. What do I need to work in NZ?

Register with the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ), pass the Competence Assessment Programme if required for your country, and secure an APC. Most Accredited Employer Work Visa RN roles are advertised directly by Te Whatu Ora districts and private aged care. Our CV tool reformats overseas experience into NZ style.

Should I move from public to private or aged care?

Private and aged-care pay less on the base, but shifts can be simpler. Public (Te Whatu Ora) pays better at Step 5+ and has clearer progression. If you want flexibility or different hours, private can win. Salary Calculator will compare your exact number.