Thirty-two graduate vets will begin their careers in rural New Zealand - including Otago - thanks to a financial boost from a government scheme.

Acting Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Meka Whaitiri recently announced that the Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians (VBS) will give 32 recipients $55,000 over five years.

The funding aims to kick-start the vets’ careers and help ease the shortage of veterinarians working with production animals in New Zealand’s regions.

The scheme “incentivises vets to take up positions in our more remote regions,” Meka said.

Eight of this year’s recipients will be placed in Waikato, but Otago, Southland, Canterbury, Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay will also benefit from an influx of graduates.

The minister said since the scheme’s inception in 2009 it has supported 416 graduate vets from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South, “providing certainty for students and vital skills for our rural communities”.

“We need these vets to provide the best care for production animals, such as cows, sheep and pigs, and working dogs that are so essential in our food and fibre sector.” 

The programme is delivered by the Ministry for Primary Industries. 

Meka said vets are vital members of our rural communities, and many graduates who have taken up the scheme enjoy the lifestyle these locations offer.. 

“From Waimauku north of Auckland to Winton in the deep south, this year’s graduates will play a crucial role in helping our farmers with production and animal welfare.”