Principal Advisor, Tikanga - Hauora Māori Service at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Full-time, permanent positions
• Work from any Health New Zealand office location nationwide

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders.

We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations — from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities.

Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.

About the Role

The Principal Advisor – Tikanga role ensures a responsive, whole-of-system service that meets stakeholder needs efficiently and effectively. It plays a key leadership function in embedding tikanga Māori, te reo Māori, and mātauranga Māori across the organisation. Working closely with senior leaders and iwi, the role strengthens partnerships and ensures Māori perspectives are central to health outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead stakeholder engagement across government, iwi, and health sector partners, ensuring strong relationships and coordinated service delivery
• Drive the development and implementation of tikanga, te reo Māori, and cultural strategies aligned with Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Provide organisational leadership, including governance support and guidance to senior leaders on cultural practices, policies, and resources
• Embed mātauranga Māori and tikanga practices across the organisation, including facilitation, education, and capability building for kaimahi
• Champion Māori voice, strengthen partnerships, and support regional alignment to deliver equitable health outcomes for Māori

About the Team/Service

As the Hauora Māori Service of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) our core role is to ensure New Zealanders have better and more timely access to health care.  The devolution of resources and decision making to the regions ensures those closest to service users and whānau are involved in decisions on how healthcare is delivered. We are committed to ensuring our operating model is responsive to the needs of Māori. 

About you

You bring strong knowledge of mātauranga Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori, with a demonstrated ability to embed these into organisational practice. You are an experienced advisor to senior leaders, confidently providing cultural guidance that shapes strategy, decision-making, and outcomes. A collaborative and self-aware leader, you build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholders and actively contribute to an equity-focused, values-driven environment.

You will have:

• A relevant graduate or postgraduate qualification, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in advisory roles supporting senior leaders, ideally within large and complex organisations.
• Whakapapa Māori, with fluency in Te Reo Māori (or a strong commitment to achieving fluency), and a deep understanding of applying mātauranga Māori in the workplace.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey clear, compelling messages.
• Experience designing and delivering structured learning frameworks and programmes.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.  

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by 24 July 2026. We will commence interviews as suitable candidates are identified, before the advertisement closing date.  If you have any questions about the role, please contact Zerissa Ong on zerissa.ong@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected kaimahi (staff) will be given preference and priority for this position.

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