About 

The orchestra was formed to provide medical musicians an opportunity to play in a high quality national orchestra, to encourage collegiality and to enhance work-life balance. 

There is a medical orchestra in Auckland and the Christchurch Doctors' Orchestra has given annual performances for over 30 years. There are doctors' orchestras in other parts of the world. The NZDO follows a similar formula to that of the Australian Doctors' Orchestra and the European Doctors' Orchestra. This On MAS article highlights the interest doctors have in music.
The orchestra meets annually over three days (Friday to Sunday) for intensive rehearsals and organised social events, culminating in a Sunday afternoon concert. 

The participants pay their own expenses and an enrolment fee that covers venue hire, conductor's fee etc. All proceeds from ticket sales for the public concert are donated to charity

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Articles about medicine and music

• Stefan Willich (conductor and cardiologist) Lancet article on the World Doctors Orchestra
• Medical Journal of Australia article on the Australian Doctors Orchestra
• British Journal of General Practice paper on Abi Berger's first experience with the European Doctors' Orchestra
• ​Medical Humanities paper on music and medicine
• Interlude Article on Doctors orchestras
• Interlude Article on medical musicians
• Music giving you the edge - views of some academics on musicians thinking of doing medicine
  

The orchestra is organised by Tim Wilkinson, Lynette Murdoch and Tom Wilkinson