New Zealand’s beleaguered health system is always under scrutiny and, despite plenty of talking and promises by politicians, there appears no immediate solution in sight.

Concerns are regularly raised throughout the country about staff shortages – both doctors and nurses – and the burnout among those staff left to carry the load. Patients voice concerns about a lack of service and, at times, the lengthy delays in getting critical treatment. 

Health was a political football leading up to last year’s general election and the coalition government has moved to try to address the problems. Te Whatu Ora’s board was fired and new commissioner, Lester Levy, appointed to sort out the issues, including health overspending.

Now it is the veterinary industry – our healthcare system for animals – in the spotlight after a report highlighted that vital support is needed to retain and attract staff.

Pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim’s research shows fewer than half of veterinarians intend to stay in the profession until retirement. 

The report, Taking animal health forward, said that from more than 600 veterinary professionals surveyed across New Zealand, only 40% of vets and 26% of vet nurses expected to remain in the profession until retirement. 

“Burnout and mental health pressures are driving many out of the field – 43% of clinic decision-makers report difficulties in hiring skilled staff,” the report says. 

Staff shortages, a lack of investment in training, lower wages than other sectors and a misconception of the value of veterinary services are other issues the sector faces, the study says.

A shortage of vets has been an ongoing problem and it is not just confined to this country.

Australia is in a similar position and in the United States a lack of veterinarians has contributed to mental health issues among veterinary staff. There are warnings the shortage could leave the country at risk in terms of food safety and public health.

That situation is mirrored in New Zealand. Some veterinary practices have had to close, or merge, because of a lack of staff, and others are refusing to take on new clients because they don’t have the resources to cater for them.

Like most things relating to healthcare, funding is at the root of the problem. Massey University’s head Professor Jon Huxley, head of Tāwharau Ora, the School of Veterinary Science, warned more money is needed to address the shortage. About 300 domestic applications are received each year to train as vets, but government funding restrictions mean just 125 students can be accepted.

One solution being touted is to allow allied veterinary professionals – which include veterinary nurses, technicians, and technologists – to take on more clinical work, such as routine procedures, which would free up vets for other tasks. It is much the same principle as a practice nurse at health clinics taking over some roles that were previously the domain of doctors.

It is clear something needs to be done quickly to ensure veterinary staff feel inspired and valued. As the report says: “The strength of the domestic economy depends largely on the health and welfare of our production animal population.”

The veterinary industry needs support to retain staff as work pressure forces many out before retirement.

Pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim has  published research showing fewer than half of veterinarians intend to stay in the profession until retirement. 

The report, Taking animal health forward, showed that from more than 600 veterinary professionals surveyed across New Zealand, only 40% of vets and 26% of vet nurses expected to remain in the profession until retirement. 

“Burnout and mental health pressures are driving many out of the field –  43% of clinic decision-makers report difficulties in hiring skilled staff,” the report says. 

Staff shortages, insufficient investment in training, lower wages than other sectors and a misconception of the value of veterinary services are other woes the sector faces, the study says.

The head of NZ animal health at Boehringer Ingelheim, Paul Fitzpatrick, said vets protect the agriculture industry.

“By 2025 export revenues are expected to reach $58 billion. The strength of the domestic economy depends largely on the health and welfare of our production animal population.”

Salaries in vet services are well below those in human health, the report shows.

Nurses in human health start on a base salary of $70,000 or above, rising to around $163,000.

“Veterinary nurses often earn barely above the minimum wage, equating to around $54,000 for a full-time position.”

The report calls for legislation to enable allied veterinary professionals (AVPs) to take on more skilled work.

The president of the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association, Laura Harvey, said globally AVPs take on new roles and responsibilities. 

“Regulation of AVPs in Aotearoa is one way we could help relieve the ongoing staffing shortage. Robust legislation may give workplaces the confidence to fully embrace the skills that vet nurses and vet technicians bring to the table,” Harvey said.

Around 70% of animal health practitioners believe the scope of their work is not well understood.

“Many rural veterinarians are performing a consultancy role on behalf of farming clients, such as how to improve fertility and growth, advice on breeding and selecting alternatives for certain geographies, and much more,” Harvey said.

Kevin Bryant, CEO of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, said fully leveraging the knowledge of vet professionals to support business growth is an untapped opportunity. 

“We’ll spend hundreds on our own dental work, but a similar veterinary treatment, which requires similar skill and equipment, is considered too expensive, even at much lower cost.”

The study shows only 44% of clinic decision-makers have a succession plan.

Clinic owners and management should be looking for other opportunities to offer career development to members of the team who might be willing to step up, Bryant said.

General manager for farming excellence at Beef + Lamb NZ Dan Brier said vets and animal health experts play a pivotal role in clinics and on farms, but also in producer and meatworks locations. 

“These roles are often overlooked by new graduates, but they are key to the ongoing profitability of our agriculture sector.”

Professor Jon Huxley, the head of Massey University’s Tāwharau Ora, the School of Veterinary Science, said veterinary science is not funded to the level it needs to be to address the shortage of professionals in the industry. 

“We receive about 300 applications from domestic students every year, but the government constraints mean we are only able to take on 125 students.”

A veterinary company has launched educational kits for schools in a bid to attract young people into the industry.

Anexa Veterinary Services is believed to be the first in New Zealand to produce an educational and hands-on school resource designed to engage students aged 8-10 in the world of veterinary practice. 

The kits, launched last month, aim to transform classrooms into centres of veterinary science education by allowing students to experience what a real veterinarian does.

Anexa board member Gaynor Tierney said the kits are a wonderful resource for kids, bringing hands-on learning into classrooms.

 “Our kit opens our children’s eyes to the world of vets and the life they lead with animals every day. It’s an experience they won’t forget,” said Tierney.

 Anexa’s operations manager, Karen Good, believes children are naturally curious and the kits have been designed to tap into that curiosity.

 “Our goal is to inspire the next generation of veterinarians by providing them with a realistic and enjoyable learning experience,” she said.

“The first uptake of the kits has been a huge success, with 80 schools across New Zealand already using the kits.”

The kits fit into the English, science, maths, and digital technology subject curriculums. 

Essentially, teachers can add the tasks that the kit offers to their daily planning at no expense to the school or class learning time.

“We’ve packed together creative, educational, but fun materials designed to captivate young minds,” said Good.

The kits are built around a number of fairytale characters and include story cards that present different veterinary scenarios that encourages students to assess their fictional patient and diagnose their condition.

 “We’ve included lab test tools like test tubes, X-ray and petri dishes, and comprehensive vet school resources such as patient information sheets, folders, and charts,” she said.

 “The overall goal is to help children understand patient details and veterinary tools and gain knowledge in a fun and engaging way.”

 While the kits provide a complete “vet school” set-up for the students, teachers gain access to a dedicated online network where they can support each other and download teaching resources, making the kit easy to introduce into the classroom.

 Anexa has funded 500 kits to kick-start the initiative, which supports up to 16,000 students in the classroom nationwide.

Good said with a lifespan of three to four years, the kits represent a substantial, long-term investment in students’ education and the future of the profession.

 “We’d love to see more kits being rolled out to provide for more New Zealand students, and we’ll be looking to partner with other veterinary organisations and stakeholders to make this feasible,” Good said.

Teachers and schools can register for the Anexa school kits via the School Kit website at https://www.schoolkit.co.nz/ or through the online teacher network.

Professor Naomi Cogger from Tāwharau Ora School of Veterinary Science has been elected vice-president of the World Organisation for Animal Health’s Scientific Commission.

Founded in 1946 and composed of six members, the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (WOAH) Scientific Commission assists in identifying the most appropriate strategies and measures for disease prevention and control. The commission is elected by the World Assembly of Delegates for a three-year term.

Cogger is a professor of epidemiology and risk analysis at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, where she directs the EpiCentre, one of Australasia’s largest teaching and research groups in its field. 

Since joining the team in 2003, she has played a critical role in advancing the group’s mission to improve the health and resilience of people, animals and ecosystems.

Cogger’s research has supported changes to welfare regulations in New Zealand, enhanced foodborne pathogen surveillance systems in the United Kingdom and bolstered preparedness for equine influenza outbreaks in NZ.

She has developed and delivered training programmes that empower professionals to make significant impacts on global human and animal health. She has supervised eight PhD students and more than 40 master’s students to completion.

Cogger is the director of the WOAH Collaborating Centre in Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, which provides expertise in the Asia-Pacific region, and is also an invited member of the Expert Group to the WOAH Observatory. The Observatory provides an overview of the uptake of international standards on animal health and welfare and veterinary public health by its members.

Cogger said her vice-presidential appointment reflects the excellence for which the EpiCentre is known, and as such, it is built on several people.

“I must acknowledge that this achievement is deeply rooted in the collective effort and commitment of the EpiCentre team, both past and present.

“Personally, I am excited about an opportunity to contribute to animal health on a global scale and represent the excellence that Massey and New Zealand are known for in this space.”

Head of Tāwharau Ora School of Veterinary Science Professor Jon Huxley said New Zealand has a reputation for world-leading animal health and welfare assurance underpinning our primary production industries. 

“As a nation exporting billions of dollars of high-quality produce, it is critical we maintain representation at the top tables of global animal disease control. Professor Cogger’s appointment is excellent news for Naomi and the university, but also for our world-class farmers and exporters.”

Cogger will travel to Paris in February and September 2025 for week-long meetings in her role as vice-president.

With 32 graduate vets set to begin their careers in rural New Zealand, the profession continues to experience a dire shortage.

Under the government’s Voluntary Bonding Scheme (VBS) for veterinarians, the graduate vets each receive funding of $55,000 over five years to kick-start their careers.

The scheme is aimed at helping to ease the shortage of veterinarians working with production animals in the more remote regions of NZ.

NZ Veterinary Association (NZVA) chief executive Kevin Bryant said the scheme, while helpful, is not enough.

“Right now we have 50 large animal vet vacancies and a further 70 companion vet vacancies on our website and that’s right across the country.

“Schemes like this are really valuable and we are a great supporter of the scheme that opens opportunities for people to bed themselves into supporting our primary industries.

“But with a shortage of vets, vet nurses and vet techs, we need a multitude of these type of initiatives to fill the gap,” Bryant said.

New immigration rules introduced in April this year have vets on the green list of essential jobs which has opened access to vets from overseas.

“They must be coming in under the umbrella of an accredited employer, which [speeds up] the process and we are hearing from employers on the green list that this is working well so long as you follow instructions and fill out the forms correctly.”

The NZVA is running advertising campaigns through its social media platforms to encourage vets from overseas to come to NZ.

“But this is not just a NZ problem, the vet shortage is a global issue, every country is navigating the same challenges.

“There is no silver bullet and that’s why we need a series of multiple small initiatives to contribute to the situation.”

Massey University secured increased funding and took an additional 30 students in this year’s intake.

Businesses are shuffling staff to streamline the nature of work they need to cover. There are opportunities for technology to make things easier and a drive to attract people who have been vets to come back to the profession.

“We need to look at all these things as an industry because the brutal reality is doing what we have done for the past 50 years is not going to get us there.

“It’s not like we are bereft of ideas, it’s challenging and it will be for some time. We have to collaborate as a profession and problem solve together.”

Bryant said vets “are coming in, just not fast enough”.

“We will be advocating to the Ministry for Primary Industries [MPI] to take greater numbers into these schemes,” Bryant said.        

Acting Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Meka Whaitiri said the bonding scheme incentivises vets to take up positions in more remote regions. 

“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. 

“Since its inception in 2009, the VBS 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,” Whaitiri said. 

The programme is delivered by MPI. 

Eight of this year’s recipients will be placed in Waikato, while Canterbury and Manawatū-Whanganui will each get five; Southland and Taranaki, four; Otago, 3; and Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay one each. 

“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.

“The VBS is just one of the programmes the government is investing in to ensure our farmers have access to high quality, professional veterinary services and help rural communities to continue to thrive,” Whaitiri said.

Ditch here.

I know I usually only write one column at the end of the year, but I’ve had a terrible time and just need to share.

It all started back in early February.

Steve, the boss and my mate, noticed I was a bit off. I’m usually full of beans but wasn’t feeling myself.

So, he rested me for the week.

No easy matter for him as I’m the only dog around here but it’s amazing what a determined cocky with lanes and a rattle can do when he has too.

Anyway, one day he needed my help to take some sheep down to the farm 5km down the road.

I didn’t feel great, but was keen to give him a hand and spent most of the time on the back of the ute anyway.

We got them there but when we were taking them up the farm to a paddock, I just didn’t have any more to give and had to lie down.

He came back to have a look at me and then I was sick right in front of him.

He chained me up to the fence but honestly, he didn’t have to because I wasn’t going anywhere and took the mob away himself.

Then he came back with the ute and said he thought he’d better get me to the vet quick as.

Nicolette from Vet Services came out to have a look at me and took me away for a whole bunch of tests.

Later she rang Steve and said that my red cell blood count should be 40 but was just 10 and it was remarkable that I should still be wandering around wagging my tail. She said it was an emergency and asked if he had another big dog that they could use as a blood donor to save my life, but he didn’t even have a little one.

So, she got her policewoman friend to bring her big dog in and that dog donated a whole lot of blood that they put into me and made me feel much better than I had for some time.

Steve took wine around to the police station, but the security guards wouldn’t let him in with it, so he left it at the door hoping the nice policewoman ended up with it. He wondered if he should have left some dog tucker for her dog as well.

Then he went around to see Nicolete.

She reckoned I might have something called Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia. He had to get his farm notebook out and write it down.

She went on to tell him that it is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks and removes its own red blood cells, thus leading to severe anaemia, an unhealthy yellow colouring of the tissues called jaundice, as well as an assortment of life-threatening complications. Mortality approaches 70%, so an aggressive approach was necessary. Blood transfusions and immune-suppressive drugs are needed, she said.

He said it sounded expensive and she said it was.

He looked at me for a bit and said, “Oh well I found him dumped in the water table as a tiny pup, so he doesn’t owe me anything and besides, I haven’t got another dog and I’m sort of fond of him so do what you have too.”

I stayed at the vets for several days and when he came and picked me up they gave him a whole lot of pills and plenty of instructions.

For the first week or so he was hiding eight different pills in little meat treats. One of them was radioactive with strict instructions for him not to touch it, but he didn’t have any qualms about me scoffing it down.

Two other ones had come from the local chemist he noted.

He soon found out that the best way to disguise several pills was with a small squeezed-out portion of the sausage meat that Jane had in the fridge for making meatloaf and I’ve been having that every day for three months now. It’s delicious.

I didn’t do any work for another six weeks and to be honest, I wasn’t up to it.

I did notice the boss was getting fit and lean though.

My blood count has slowly come back up to normal and now Nicolete has him only giving me a pill a day and I have to say I’m feeling a lot better although apparently I’m not out of the woods yet.

It’s a rare condition, but the vets see a couple a year and others probably die that they don’t see.

So, if your dog or cat is suddenly lethargic with pale or yellow gums, get them into the vet quickly just in case it’s this disease.