32 graduate vets to start rural careers under Government bonding scheme

The graduates will be placed in 26 rural and provincial communities, stretching from Whangārei in the north to Gore in the south, including areas such as Reporoa and Dannevirke.

Thirty-two newly qualified veterinarians will begin their professional careers in rural communities across New Zealand through the Government’s Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians (VBS), Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard have announced.

The graduates will be placed in 26 rural and provincial communities, stretching from Whangārei in the north to Gore in the south, including areas such as Reporoa and Dannevirke. The placements are designed to address ongoing workforce shortages in rural veterinary services, particularly in roles supporting production animals and working dogs.

Mr McClay said veterinarians play a critical role in animal health, biosecurity and the productivity of New Zealand’s primary sector, making it essential to support and retain veterinary professionals in regional areas.

“Veterinarians are essential to animal health and the productivity of our primary sector, and it’s vital we support these regional roles,” he said. “This scheme not only helps ease the rural vet shortage but also gives young professionals a strong financial start to their careers.”

Under the Voluntary Bonding Scheme, each participating graduate will receive up to $55,000 over five years in exchange for committing to work in approved rural veterinary roles. The scheme targets areas where recruitment and retention have traditionally been challenging, helping ensure farmers and rural communities have reliable access to high-quality veterinary care.

Mr McClay said the VBS remains a key part of the Government’s broader commitment to strengthening rural resilience and supporting the long-term growth of the primary sector, which underpins regional economies and export earnings.

Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard said the programme delivers benefits for both rural communities and new veterinarians.

“It ensures farmers have access to high-quality animal care, which is essential for maintaining productivity, animal welfare and biosecurity standards,” Mr Hoggard said. “At the same time, it gives new vets the opportunity to gain a wide range of practical experience while working in supportive, close-knit rural communities.”

The Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians was launched in 2009 and is administered by the Ministry for Primary Industries. Since its inception, the scheme has supported 516 veterinarians, including the latest intake, to establish careers in rural New Zealand.

The Government says the continued success of the VBS demonstrates the value of targeted incentives in addressing workforce shortages and ensuring critical services remain available in regional and remote areas.