Thirty graduate vets will receive a financial boost from the Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians to help ease the shortage of veterinarians working with production animals in the regions, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) announced today.
Since it began 11 years ago, the ministry’s Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians had made a huge difference in attracting graduate vets to rural areas that were traditionally challenging to staff, says Steve Penno, director investment programmes at MPI.
“This year we’ve added a new provision, enabling graduates to work part-time in an eligible practice after taking parental leave.”
Successful recipients will receive funding of $55,000 over five years – a total of $1.65 million.
The graduate vets would be working with production animals, such as cows, sheep, and working dogs, which are essential in our primary industries, Mr Penno says.
“MPI is delighted to support the vital role vets play in our regions.”
Find out more about the voluntary bonding scheme for vets
Locations of successful applicants
| Region | Number of graduates | Towns/cities (Numbers of successful applicants in brackets) |
|---|---|---|
| Canterbury | 7 | Geraldine (3), Ashburton (1), Oxford (1), Timaru (1), Temuka (1) |
| Northland | 1 | Otamatea (1) |
| Otago | 3 | Oamaru (2), Balclutha (1) |
| Taranaki | 3 | Stratford (1), Manaia (1), Ōpunake (1) |
| Waikato | 4 | Ōtorohanga (1), Taupō (2) Tokoroa (1) |
| Gisborne | 1 | Gisborne (1) |
| Auckland | 2 | Papakura (1), Helensville (1) |
| Bay of Plenty | 4 | Edgecumbe (1), Ngongotaha (1), Murupara (1), Rotorua (1) |
| Hawkes Bay | 1 | Waipukurau (1) |
| Manawatū-Whanganui | 2 | Raetihi (1), Whanganui (1) |
| West Coast | 2 | Greymouth (1), Hokitika (1) |
| Total | 30 |
Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
