Our Advocacy

The NZVNA proudly advocates for fair pay for Veterinary Nursing and Allied Veterinary Professionals.

Veterinary Nurses* are critical members of any veterinary healthcare team. They are ‘fee-earning’, meaning they contribute to the income of a veterinary practice through their skill set and knowledge. However, historically Veterinary Nurses have been poorly paid.

We are pleased to see many employers working with their nursing teams to ensure they are appropriately remunerated. Many employers are moving to a competency-based remuneration process to ensure their Allied Veterinary Professionals (AVPs) are paid fairly.

We understand speaking with employers about wage or salary reviews can be tricky, so we’ve published wage guidelines to help Veterinary Nurses navigate these conversations. The guidelines are refreshed every three to five years depending on changes to minimum and living wages. In the years when guidelines aren't updated, inflationary increases to these rates can be calculated via the Reserve Bank Inflation Calculator (remember to change CPI to wages).

NZVNA 2026 Wage Guidelines

Role level	Recommended Hourly Rate
New Graduate/Level 1	$28.75 – $30.55
Level 2**	$30.55 – $32.75
Level 3**	$32.75+

* Veterinary nurses in this context is synonymous with veterinary technicians and veterinary technologist.

** Subject to clinical and non-clinical competency assessment.

The NZVNA recommends that all Allied Veterinary Professionals (AVPs) are paid no less than the New Zealand Living Wage and are fairly remunerated for their qualifications, experience, professional responsibility, and contribution to the veterinary profession.

The Veterinary Nursing profession continues to evolve rapidly, with Veterinary Nurses and technicians undertaking increasingly advanced clinical and non-clinical responsibilities across companion animal, equine, mixed, referral, emergency, and specialist practice settings. Appropriate remuneration is essential to support workforce sustainability, professional wellbeing, retention, and recognition of the highly skilled work AVPs perform every day.

The recommended minimum wage ranges (above) reflect:

The current New Zealand Living Wage
Inflationary increases
Industry remuneration trends
Ongoing advocacy for professional recognition and workforce sustainability within the veterinary sector.

These guidelines are intended to support constructive and transparent remuneration discussions between employers and AVPs. NZVNA encourages clinics to consider not only technical competencies, but also leadership responsibilities, mentoring, client communication, wellbeing contributions, and additional duties undertaken within the workplace.

Additional Employment Considerations

Professional development and CPD allowances should be considered separately from base remuneration
NZVNA membership support, wellbeing initiatives, uniforms, and training opportunities are encouraged as additional employment benefits
Clinics are encouraged to undertake regular salary reviews to ensure remuneration remains competitive and sustainable
Workforce shortages and retention challenges across the veterinary sector highlight the importance of creating positive and supportive workplace environments.

The NZVNA remains committed to advocating for fair and progressive remuneration pathways across the Veterinary Nursing profession and will continue to work alongside employers, industry partners, and regulatory stakeholders to support positive change for the profession.

We encourage you to work with your employer, using the tools available in the HR Toolbox, to ensure your remuneration aligns with our recommendations.

Wage Guidance Links

FAQs	Wage Guideline FAQs
Living Wage	https://www.livingwage.org.nz/
Minimum Wage	https://www.employment.govt.nz/hours-and-wages/pay/minimum-wage/minimum-wage-rates/
NZVNA Career Centre	https://nzvna.org.nz/career-center/

Culture and Diversity

We are committed to fostering a profession and community where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. We celebrate diversity in all its forms, including—but not limited to—culture, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, and lived experience. We recognise that a diverse and inclusive Veterinary Nursing workforce strengthens our profession, enhances the care provided to animals, and better serves the communities we work within.

NZVNA actively promotes a culture of belonging by:

Encouraging inclusive practices across all areas of Veterinary Nursing
Providing safe and supportive spaces for learning, connection, and professional growth
Listening to and amplifying diverse voices within our community
Continuously reviewing and improving our policies and practices to remove barriers and promote equity.

We acknowledge that building an inclusive profession is an ongoing journey. We are committed to learning, evolving, and working collaboratively with our members and partners to create meaningful and lasting change.

The NZVNA has signed the Pride Pledge, a commitment to demonstrate our dedication to the safety, visibility, and inclusion of rainbow members of our community and workforce.

Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association honours and adheres to the obligations set out under Aotearoa’s founding document, Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

As a Te Tiriti partner, we follow its principles of partnership, participation, and protection.

In practice, this means the NZVNA is committed to building long-lasting relationships with tangata whenua and engages with Māori sincerely during times of decision-making and change.

As an organisation, we acknowledge we are on a learning journey and will continue to develop and build on what Te Tiriti o Waitangi means for the NZVNA.