\u201cWhen I have visitors, we can go for bush walks and to the waterfall in town, the beaches are close and the markets are amazing. <\/p>\n
\u201cThose are the things I love. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor people that love fishing or boating, it\u2019s the place to be.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Northern Advocate has reported several times on staff shortages<\/a>, including teacher shortages that forced two Northland schools to roster students at home last year.<\/p>\n There has been a shortage of essential health services<\/a> such as dentists, hygienists and physiotherapists in the Far North, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. <\/p>\n Reasons include wage disparities and the brain drain to large urban centres, but there are plenty of good jobs in Tai Tokerau. <\/p>\n A search on Seek shows about 25 jobs currently advertised in the $150,000 to $350,000 salary range in Northland. <\/p>\n While only a small number list salaries, the highest-paying job is a general practitioner in Whang\u0101rei<\/a> offering $275,000 to $330,000, though earnings can vary depending on patient load, capitation<\/a> and whether the role is salaried or contracted.<\/p>\n Other high-paying roles included a financial controller in Mangawhai offering $150,000 to $165,000, and a Whang\u0101rei project engineer role listed at $110,000 to $165,000.<\/p>\n Mark Robison\u2019s career as a civil engineer has taken him around the North Island and all over the world. <\/p>\n Born and raised in Whang\u0101rei, he left in 1995 and spent 26 years away, living and working in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Nottingham, England. <\/p>\n He spent six years in Brisbane and did stints in Indonesia and Singapore before returning to Northland in 2021. <\/p>\n Now a senior civil engineer with Haigh Workman\u2019s Whang\u0101rei branch, Robison loves the lifestyle. <\/p>\n \u201cWhang\u0101rei is our home, that\u2019s where we wanted to retire.\u201d <\/p>\n Robison enjoys Northland\u2019s weather, walks and slower pace of life compared to overseas. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been great; the people are nice, I have plenty of work going on, there\u2019s plenty to do and keep us interested.<\/p>\n \u201cFor people keen on fishing and the coast and beaches, it\u2019s wonderful, even the forests.\u201d<\/p>\n Robison said their home was only minutes away from beaches \u201cin all directions\u201d. <\/p>\n Being closer to family and living in a warmer climate drew Northland NZ head of destination Ben Chapman and his partner Gabrielle to the region in December 2023. <\/p>\n Originally from Nelson, Chapman studied at the University of Otago in Dunedin, then worked in Auckland for 18 months. <\/p>\nSenior civil engineer Mark Robison is glad he moved home to Whang\u0101rei for the lifestyle.<\/p>\n
Northland NZ\u2019s head of destination Ben Chapman, pictured at Rukuwai Sunflower Fields in Parua Bay, loves Northland for its authenticity.<\/p>\n