About Us
Local veterinary teams, backed by a national network
Veterinaryfirst is one of New Zealand’s largest veterinary groups, bringing together Petfirst Veterinary and Farmfirst Veterinary under one organisation. The group is 100% Kiwi-owned and veterinary team led, with clinics across the North Island, Canterbury and Otago. Its teams include veterinarians, veterinary nurses, veterinary technicians, customer care staff and support professionals working across companion animal, mixed and production animal settings.
What makes Veterinaryfirst particularly interesting as an employer is the way it combines the resources of a larger veterinary organisation with locally led clinics. Each clinic has its own local leadership team, giving people close to the community the ability to manage the clinic around local needs. Behind them sits a national Support Office that takes on administrative functions and provides additional support, while veterinary colleagues across the wider group are available when teams need another perspective or extra expertise.
Two brands, different sides of veterinary life
Petfirst Veterinary is Veterinaryfirst’s companion animal brand. Previously known as VetEnt, its clinics provide veterinary care for pets across a network extending through the North Island, Canterbury and Otago. Petfirst’s approach centres on proactive veterinary care, with services spanning preventative health and screening, dentistry, nutrition and weight management, behaviour and enrichment, puppy and kitten care and ongoing treatment when pets become unwell. The group has also introduced digital services that allow clients to book appointments, access pet health records and request medications or food online.
Farmfirst Veterinary brings a different dimension to the group. Its locally led rural teams work with farmers across major agricultural regions including Waikato, Canterbury and Otago, with a focus on animal health and farm performance. The work encompasses dairy, sheep, beef and deer, working dogs, lifestyle animals and equine care. Farmfirst also uses tools such as its digital animal health planning platform, Herbie, as part of a proactive approach to working with farming clients.
At several locations, the Petfirst and Farmfirst sides of the organisation come together through mixed practice. Veterinaryfirst lists mixed practices in areas including Waipā and King Country, Canterbury and Otago, alongside dedicated companion animal clinics in other locations. For veterinary nurses, technicians, customer care staff and other support professionals, this creates a group with considerable variety in the type of veterinary environment in which people can build their careers.
Support that extends beyond the clinic
Veterinaryfirst describes itself as “big, but not corporate”, with an emphasis on maintaining local leadership while providing the support that comes with a national organisation. Its Support Office is designed to reduce the administrative load on clinic teams, allowing those working in practice to spend more time focused on their clients, patients and communities.
Employee wellbeing is supported through Connected Lives, Veterinaryfirst’s bespoke wellbeing programme. Inspired by Sir Mason Durie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā model and designed by members of the Veterinaryfirst team, the programme takes a whole-person approach to wellbeing. The organisation also lists benefits including EAP support, discounts for employees’ pets and large animals, birthday and long-service leave, as well as mentoring and career planning.
Career opportunities across the organisation are not limited to veterinarians. Veterinaryfirst advertises roles in veterinary nursing, clinic leadership, customer care and its support office, alongside veterinary positions. Its careers information also places an emphasis on professional growth, support and giving people the opportunity to develop their careers within the wider organisation.