Episodes

Send us a text Today host Julie South, uncover some of the complexities of national cat management in New Zealand in this second of three part series with Dr Helen Beattie. As a dedicated advocate for responsible cat ownership, Dr Helen shines a light on the vital role of veterinary professionals in transforming public perceptions and practices. Julie and Dr Helen explore the myths surrounding feline reproduction, the crucial importance of microchipping and de-sexing, and the dire need fo...

Send us a text What if you could change the fate of thousands of animals with just your voice? Join Julie South this week as she chats with Dr Helen Beattie, the pioneering founder of Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa (VAWA). Today Dr Helen she shares her compelling journey in challenging the norms of live animal exports. Through her expert lens, Dr Beattie brings to light the ethical dilemmas and dire conditions faced during these inhumane journeys. Dr Helen and Julie cat...

Send us a text Join Julie South for the second thought-provoking conversation she has with Dr Jane Jones, as they uncover the nuanced experiences of Māori veterinarians and veterinary nurses in New Zealand. Discover how Dr Jane's collaborative research with Dr. Francesca Brown reveals the profound impact of cultural narratives and the challenges faced by Māori professionals in expressing their identity within the veterinary field. Listen to them chat about the significance of re...

Send us a text Dr. Jane Jones, a pioneering voice in veterinary narratives, invites us into her world as she navigates the complexities of qualitative research in veterinary science. With a unique focus on the experiences of Māori veterinarians and vet nurses in Aotearoa, New Zealand, Dr Jane's research journey unveils the challenges and rewards of exploring a field with sparse literature. Her collaboration with Associate Professor Dr Francesca Brown and her dedication to learning Te...

Send us a text In this episode of Veterinary Voices, host Julie South delivers invaluable insights for new veterinary graduates (vets and nurses) preparing for their first job interviews. With career expo season in full swing across New Zealand, this timely discussion provides practical, actionable strategies to help fresh graduates stand out in the competitive veterinary job market. Key takeaways include: How to craft standout applications that catch employers' attentionEssential pre-...

Send us a text Episode 211 of Veterinary Voices, hosted by Julie South, features an in-depth conversation with Catherine Neazor Brady, a seasoned New Zealand licensed immigration consultant. Catherine and Julie look at the latest changes in New Zealand's immigration policies and their significant impact on the veterinary industry. Key Points Discussed: Immigration Processing Improvements:Immigration New Zealand has reorganised into operational centres, leading to faster processing time...

Send us a text In this interesting episode of Veterinary Voices, Julie South catches up again with Khristina Naden, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at Otago Polytech, where she demonstrates how a veterinary nursing qualification can evolve into ground-breaking research. As Kristina shares insights from her Masters research (hopefully to be upgraded to PhD research) into therapeutic horse riding, you're are treated to a super interesting blend of scientific methodology and practic...

Send us a text Unlock the secrets to finding your ideal veterinary clinic job by asking smart "Culture-based" questions at your job interview. Today Julie South guides you through smart questioning techniques that reveal a clinic’s true culture and values. Wondering how to ensure your future workplace aligns with your professional ethos? This episode of Veterinary Voices promises to equip you with the right questions to ask during job interviews, helping you uncover crucial insights about ...

Send us a text In this episode of Veterinary Voices, host Julie South continues her in-depth conversation with Michelle Cameron, an executive member of the New Zealand Vet Nurse Association. Their chat goes into innovative ways Veterinary Nurses can enhance their professional standing and increase their earning potential within the evolving landscape of veterinary practice. The episode offers a wealth of practical strategies for Vet Nurses to demonstrate their value and for clinics to opti...

Send us a text Discover how to maximise the value of your clinic's Veterinary Nurses and boost your clinic's revenue in this ideas-packed episode of Veterinary Voices. Julie South catches up with Michelle Cameron, a New Zealand Registered Veterinary Nurse with extensive experience in emergency and critical care (ECC), and an Executive Member of the New Zealand Vet Nurse Association (NZVNA). Michelle shares valuable insights on leveraging the skills of veterinary nursing professional...

Send us a text Welcome to Episode 206 of Veterinary Voices, hosted by Julie South. With listeners in 1,400 cities worldwide, Veterinary Voices is your trusted source for insights into New Zealand's dynamic veterinary industry. This episode is proudly sponsored by VetStaff, New Zealand's leading recruitment agency dedicated to connecting veterinary professionals with exciting career opportunities in Kiwi vet clinics. Today, Julie South continues her informative chat with Kristina...

Send us a text Ever wondered how the New Zealand veterinary nursing curriculum is evolving to better prepare future professionals? Kristina Naden, RVN, BVN, NZCATT, MRurSci student - Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at Otago Polytechnic - gives an exclusive preview of the upcoming Diploma in Veterinary Nursing launching in New Zealand in February 2025. Kristina chats about how this new qualification is a game-changing revamp for New Zealand veterinary nursing professional...

Send us a text In this episode of Veterinary Voices, host Julie South continues her informative conversation with Catherine Neazor Brady, a very experienced New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser. [listen to the first episode - 203 - here] Julie and Catherine discuss the complexities of hiring overseas veterinary professionals and the importance of using licensed immigration consultants. This episode is a must-listen for HR and Practice Managers in New Zealand's veterinary industry who a...

Send us a text Catherine Neazor Brady - New Zealand licensed immigration advisor with over 20 years of experience in both recruitment and immigration - chats with host, Julie South of VetStaff. Catherine and Julie discuss the intricacies of immigration for veterinary professionals looking to work in New Zealand. Key topics covered in the episode include: Recent changes in New Zealand's immigration landscape, particularly the fee increases set to take effect on October 1st. Catherine explains...

Send us a text Curious about why only 26% of Kiwi veterinary nurses plan to stay in their profession until retirement? Join Julie South as she catches up with Associate Professor Laura Harvey, the President of the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association, who sheds light on this pretty grim statistic. Julie and Laura talk about the unique challenges faced by New Zealand’s veterinary workforce, from rural and cultural dynamics to the impacts of poor remuneration. With insights backed b...

Send us a text Kevin Bryant, CEO of the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), joins Julie South of VetStaff, us to share his passion and commitment to supporting veterinarians throughout their careers. From students to retirees, Kevin highlights the NZVA's pivotal role in championing the entire veterinary team. Often confused, listen as Kevin talks about the vital distinctions between the NZVA and the Vet Council (VCNZ), clarifying their unique roles and contributions to t...

Send us a text Join Julie South in this milestone episode of the Vet Staff podcast as she reflects on an incredible journey spanning 199 episodes, five continents, 100 countries, and 1400 cities. From its humble beginnings during New Zealand's 2020 lockdown to becoming a global platform for veterinary professionals, the podcast has defied the odds in a world where 90% of podcasts never make it past their third episode. Julie shares a bit of the hard work, dedication, and passion that h...

Send us a text What if the key to skyrocketing your veterinary practice's productivity lies in the counterintuitive strategy of slowing down? Today, Julie South takes you on a journey through the art of effective time management that is so opposite to what you'd expect, it's paradoxically pretty amazing! Discover how the Pomodoro technique—working in focused intervals with strategic breaks—can transform your workday. Hear success stories and discover how you can implement similar work r...

Send us a text How familiar are you with the "protective" laws involved in reference checking? Julie South from VetStaff explores the complexities of reference checks in New Zealand's veterinary profession. Prompted by an unusual request, she examines the legal risks of mishandling references, stressing adherence to the Privacy Act and Fair Trading Act. Key Takeaways: Legal Boundaries: Julie emphasises the importance of understanding the legal framework of reference checks, highlighting the c...

Send us a text Ever wondered if a career as a locum vet or vet nurse in New Zealand could be your next big move...? This week VetStaff's Julie South explores the (sometimes) thrilling possibilities and (dreaded) daunting challenges of locuming in New Zealand's veterinary clinics. From the (apparent) attractive perks of higher hourly rates and (perceived) flexible schedules to the potential pitfalls like financial instability and fleeting workplace relationships, she lays it all out. ...

Send us a text Can focusing on trivial tasks be sabotaging your productivity? Discover how displacement activities, those sneaky forms of procrastination, trick you into feeling accomplished while keeping you from tackling crucial tasks. In this episode of the Vet Staff podcast, Julie South unpacks the psychological discomfort behind these behaviours and the misleading dopamine hits they provide. By understanding how common distractions like organising the medicine cabinet ins...

Send us a text Ever wondered why some meetings feel like a waste of time while others drive real results? Discover the secrets to conducting powerful and efficient veterinary clinic meetings that will transform your practice's productivity. This episode of the Vet Staff Podcast reveals strategies to streamline your meetings with clear agendas, proper scheduling, and ensuring the right team members are present and prepared. Learn how skilled facilitation can navigate diver...

Send us a text Is your clinic still struggling with the post-pandemic workforce transformation? Discover how to turn these challenges into opportunities by understanding the concept of psychological safety and its profound impact on new hires and annual performance reviews. Join Julie South, Certified DISC Trainer and Resilience Coach, as she introduces the juniority benefit, the swoosh pattern of psychological safety levels over time, and the peak-end rule cognitive bias. This epi...

Send us a text Join Julie South, a Certified DISC Trainer and Resilience Coach, as she delves into the art of reaching consensus within teams. Julie emphasises the importance of creating a safe space for open conversations, setting clear objectives, and encouraging diverse perspectives to ensure everyone feels heard and valued. She provides practical strategies and best practice questions to help teams navigate through reaching consensus effectively. By focusing on assump...