Top male doctors earn up to 73-thousand dollars more each year than female colleagues..

That's the shocking find from a Herald Investigation - which looked at female doctors working the same hours with similar responsibilities.

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialist's Principal Analyst says New Zealand's gender pay gap is a well-known, persistent issue.

Doctor Charlotte Chambers says there's a huge amount of research to suggest it's not based on a difference in experience or skill.

She says for female doctors giving their all - particularly during the pandemic - it's a real slap in the face.