NZVNA Wage Guidelines

Wage Guidelines FAQs

Wage Guidelines FAQ

We have developed a list of FAQ's to support our wage guidelines. 

1. How and why were these wage guidelines developed?
The NZVNA is the representative body for veterinary nurses and allied veterinary professionals in New Zealand. It is our role to advocate for veterinary nurses on a wide range of topics and advocating for appropriate remuneration is one of those. Historically, veterinary nurses have been poorly paid, and we hope the narrative around current wage structures and our newest wage guidelines will help to change that. Our wage guidelines are developed using a range of information, including the current average wage for veterinary nurses in New Zealand (taking into consideration qualification and years of employment), the minimum and living wage for New Zealand, and CPI.

2. What is an RVN and RVNS?
The Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council of New Zealand (AVPRC) is a voluntary regulatory body overseeing the registration of veterinary nurses. For information on the roles and responsibilities, scope of practice and graduate standards, please see the AVPRC website here: https://www.avprc.org.nz/

3. Where do veterinarians fit in this? Were they surveyed as part of this process?
The NZVNA is a representative organisation for veterinary nurses. We do not include veterinarians in our surveys. For information regarding veterinarian wage/salary information, please contact the New Zealand Veterinary Association.

4. How does this compare to other related professions or professions with a similar level of qualification?
We don't have this data however the average salary in NZ for a range of professions can be found here: https://www.seek.co.nz/career-advice/article/a-guide-to-salaries-in-your-industry 

5. What about other employee benefits?
Whilst we believe that additional benefits such as a uniform (or compensation if staff are purchasing their own), NZVNA membership, a CPD allowance etc, should be included in an employee's overall remuneration package, this doesn't compensate for a poor base wage. Our guidelines are based on the minimum actual hourly rate we feel allied veterinary professionals should be getting. Other employee benefits should be on top of that base wage. 

6. Where do VNAs fit in this?
The NZVNA recommend VNAs and other paraprofessionals be paid at least a living wage as a starting point, increasing with experience from there. Currently, the living wage is $23.65 (March 2023: https://www.livingwage.org.nz/). 

Employment Opportunities

If you have a vacancy you would like to advertise with us please phone 0800 868 773 or email your advert in Word document format, together with a copy of your logo, to: membership@nzvna.org.nz Please note, fees do apply.

If you are based overseas and want to work in New Zealand, please visit Immigration NZ for information.

Classifieds

Maternity Cover Veterinary Nurse | Vetora Taupo

Closes: 7th July 2023
Are you a dedicated and compassionate Veterinary Nurse looking for an exciting opportunity to join our team? We are currently seeking a highly motivated individual to provide maternity cover for our Taupō clinic. 

This …
Classifieds

Vet Nurse | Levin & Horowhenua Vets

Closes: 1st July 2023
Vet Nurse Vacancy 

Totally Vets is a dynamic veterinary company, providing services and products in the Manawatu, Tararua, Horowhenua and Taumarunui areas for companion animals, equine, and production animals.  

We hav…
Classifieds

Small Animal Fixed Term | Matamata Veterinary Services

Closes: 30th June 2023
Small Animal Veterinary Nurse 

Fixed term 12 months  

Matamata Veterinary Services - Small Animals, is a privately owned veterinary clinic committed to providing excellent veterinary care and service in a warm and frie…
Classifieds

Vet Nurse Position | Waikato After Hours Veterinary Hospital

Closes: 29th June 2023
Vet Nurse Position at Waikato After Hours Veterinary Hospital 

Looking for an exciting and challenging new role in emergency and after-hours nursing?! Would you like to earn $30+ an hour? Would you like Full time, Part …
Classifieds

Vet Nurse Position | The Referral Centre, Hamilton

Closes: 29th June 2023
Vet Nurse Position at The Referral Centre, Hamilton 

Looking for an exciting and challenging new role in a referral practice? 

The Referral Centre is the Waikato region’s first multidisciplinary veterinary hospital pro…
Classifieds

Part-Time Vet Nurse Position | Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital

Closes: 29th June 2023
Part-Time Vet Nurse Position at Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital 

Looking for an exciting and challenging new role in emergency and after-hours nursing?! Would you like to earn $30+ an hour? Would you like Full time,…
Classifieds

Veterinary Nurse | Vet Clinic Morrinsville

Closes: 29th June 2023
Veterinary Nurse - Morrinsville 

We have an exciting opportunity available at our Morrinsville clinic for a qualified and experienced Veterinary Nurse to join our supportive and friendly team.  

In our clinic no two da…
Classifieds

Full-time Permanent Veterinary Nurse | Pakuranga Vet Clinic & Cattery

Closes: 18th June 2023
ARE YOU SICK OF THE CORPORATE GRIND? 

FULL-TIME PERMANENT VETERINARY NURSE WANTED 

Due to the upcoming (extended) OE by one of our adventurous young veterinary nurses we were looking for a locum nurse but they have pro…
Classifieds

Veterinary Nurse | West Melton Vet Centre

Closes: 18th June 2023
We have the rare opportunity for a nurse with more than 3 years’ experience to join our team. 

We are a privately owned clinic. Competitive pay. Yearly bonus depending on performance. Southern Cross Health Insurance. Em…
Classifieds

Veterinary Nurse | Veterinary Referral Services

Closes: 18th June 2023
Veterinary Nurse Veterinary Referral Services 

Polytrauma, comminuted fracture, thoracotomy, hemilaminectomy… do these words catch your professional interest?  

If so, then an exciting opportunity has become available …
Classifieds

Part time Vet Nurse | Animates Vetcare Miramar

Closes: 17th June 2023
Vet Nurse – Part Time Opportunity at Miramar Clinic  

Vetcare Group is recruiting for a veterinary nurse to add to our unique national network of companion animal vets, nurses and support staff that care about the bigge…
Classifieds

Vetcare Clinic Coordinator | Ellerslie

Closes: 17th June 2023
Vetcare Clinic Coordinator  

Animates Vetcare is New Zealand’s leading integrated pet care company with 44 pet specialty retail stores, 29 grooming salons and 15 veterinary clinics. We put our clients, customers, and th…
Classifieds

Team Leader | VSA Animal Emergency Auckland

Closes: 11th June 2023
Are you a Senior Veterinary Nurse, looking for a new challenge in your career? This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a leadership role and further your career.  

VS A&E is an accident and emergency center, providin…
Classifieds

Veterinary Nurses | VSA Animal Emergency Auckland

Closes: 11th June 2023
Animal Emergency @ Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa – Henderson 

Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa (VSA) is proud to bring the very best in an animal hospital, with a dedicated team providing advanced surgery, imaging, med…
Classifieds

Veterinary Nurse | West Coast Vets - Greymouth

Closes: 8th June 2023
Veterinary Nurse - Greymouth 

Are you an experienced Veterinary Nurse, looking for a new role with an innovative and professional team?   

We have an exciting opportunity available to start in our brand new, purpose bu…
Classifieds

Veterinary Nurse | Vet Services Waipukurau

Closes: 8th June 2023
Vet Services have a rare opportunity for a full-time veterinary nurse to join our growing Waipukurau team.

We can offer you a Best Practice accredited clinic, newly renovated and equipped with the latest technology to e…

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering with NZVNA

NZVNA Executive Committee

Nominations for the NZVNA Executive Committee are opened annually when seats are vacant on our committee. We encourage all members that are interested in advancing our community to apply.

The New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association Executive Committee is made up of a group of dedicated individuals who are passionate about veterinary nursing.  The Committee consists of Officers and general committee members who are elected to their positions at AGM.  Executive Committee members must be full members of NZVNA.
Being an Executive Committee member requires commitment.   The Executive meets at least four times a year, sometimes over a two-day weekend period, with monthly Skype meetings.  Attendance at Conference is also expected.  The positions are all honorary.   At Executive meetings any item of relevance to vet nurses is discussed in-depth, together with an update of the Business Plan.
Executive members are allocated portfolios and different portfolios require different time commitments.   New Executive members are helped and supported by longer-standing council members.   Executive members are also expected to be available continually for email discussions, as this is how a large part of the work is carried out.  Portfolio reports are required to be presented at every meeting
The importance of the NZVNA Executive Committee and the Association itself cannot be overstated.   Without the Association, and in particular the Executive Committee, veterinary nurses in New Zealand would not have a collective and effective voice.

NZVNA Sub-Committees and Projects

To help the NZVNA best serve its members, we need your help! If you can't commit to being a full executive committee member, but still want to help out with an area of the organisation that interests you, join a sub-committee or assist with projects that the Executive Committee require additional help with. Please email president@nzvna.org.nz to express your interest.

Volunteer Organizations

For those wanting to become involved in conservation or animal care projects we have put together a list of volunteer Organisations for your information.
 

Volunteer Organisations:

  • World Vets is a non-government organization (NGO) providing veterinary aid around the globe in collaboration with animal advocacy groups, foreign governments, US and foreign military groups and veterinary professionals abroad. Our work spans 34 countries and 6 continents and addresses not only veterinary issues, but also human health issues impacted by zoonotic diseases in developing countries. World Vets is a 501c3 non-profit organization - www.worldvets.org
  • South Pacific Animal Welfare's mission is to provide sustainable community based animal management programmes that benefit island communities animal welfare efforts long term. It is our goal to see on-island expertise in the various areas of animal welfare develop - we knowledge share and pass on our skills - http://www.spaw.org.nz
  • The Australian Orangutan Project (AOP) is a not-for-profit organisation, supporting orangutan conservation, rainforest protection and reintroduction of orphans in order to save the species from extinction. AOP is a non-partisan organisation that collaborates with several orangutan conservation projects, as well as providing habitat protection through its own Safeguard project - guard patrols that deter wildlife poaching, illegal logging and land clearing in Borneo and Sumatrawww.orangutan.org.au
  • Dog and Cat Rescue Samui, Thailand E-mail: info@samuidog.org, Website: www.samuidog.org, Facebook: Brigitte Gomm
  • www.animal-job.co.uk - whether you are a school leaver or you are a professional looking for a career change, we hope the  information on this website, compiled by professionals with over 30 years experience within the animal care sector, will help you achieve your goal. We have put all the information you will need in one place to assist you in finding a rewarding career working with animals. If you are unsure about which direction to take, explore our careers with animals sections.
  • The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is looking for dedicated and passionate volunteers for our busy wildlife centre. We are Malawi's only wildlife sanctuary and the first 'people and wildlife' centre in the world to work hand in hand with local communities to conserve wildlife, so it is a very unique opportunity for volunteers, and there are a number of projects that you can get involved in. Volunteer projects range from animal care assistant, vet assistant, rehabilitation and release assistant, education and community support, centre support, marketing and those interested in conservation or ecology - https://www.lilongwewildlife.org/
  • Lanta Animal Welfare, Sala Dan, Thailand - Helping Koh Lanta’s community & animals through:

Disclaimer:

The views and information expressed in any of the websites mentioned on this page do not necessarily represent those of the NZVNA, and the NZVNA does not endorse any services or organisations advertised. The NZVNA is not the source of the information provided on these websites and has not independently verified the truth of the information. It does not accept any legal responsibility for the truth or accuracy of the information contained therein. The NZVNA does not accept any liability whatsoever for these organisations or for any consequences which may result from the use of the information contained herein or advice given herein. The provision is intended to exclude the NZVNA and its staff from all liability whatsoever.