Principal Advisor - Tobacco & Vaping - Protection - NPHS at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• On offer is the opportunity to make a positive impact in an organisation that makes a difference to people's lives
• Permanent, full-time opportunity
• Location: National or any NPHS regional office

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

We have a permanent full-time opportunity available to join our Health Protection team as a Principal Advisor Tobacco and Vaping.  You will be a pivotal member of our Health Protection national compliance team, and will be the subject matter expert, writing and relationship skills capable of leading a portfolio of work. Working towards the realisation of the NPHS strategic agenda for Pae Ora (Healthy Futures). Your role will be instrumental in driving our efforts to reduce smoking rates, particularly among Māori and Pacific communities, and to curtail the use of vaping products among young people, as well as supporting alcohol compliance in the Regions. In this role, you will be responsible for pulling together tobacco and vape activity reporting and also contributing to organisational reporting, interpreting complex legislation and uplifting the capability and regulatory practice of the compliance workforce.

The primary organisational impact of the position is on effective compliance and enforcement activity related to Tobacco and Vape retailers and other duty holders as well as building and maintaining strong relationships with national and regional teams including MoH.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) within Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, work towards Pae Ora (healthy futures) for all by engaging with the wider determinants that impact people's health, focusing on oranga/wellbeing, prevention, protection, and population-level intervention. We are connected across boundaries to deliver public health services that are nationally planned, regionally delivered and locally tailored.

About you

As a Principal Advisor, you are confident working in a fast-paced environment and getting ‘stuck in' with a range of work.  You will have a strong eye for detail and quality, the ability to quickly understand new information, manage a broad range of work, write for a broad range of audiences, prioritise well and keep key players informed.  You will be a natural problem solver, have good political nous and understand the healthcare ecosystem.  Due to the wide-ranging nature of the work in this role, a varied background is welcome. 

• A relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent experience (e.g., Regulatory process, Enforcement, public health, epidemiology, informatics)
• A relevant graduate and post-graduate qualification (or equivalent experience (e.g. Law, Health, OSH, Public Administration, Compliance)
• Needs to draw on extensive specialised work experience in a regulator/compliance sector, typically supported with professional qualifications –– 5-10 years
• Experience in implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action
• Experience in applying critical thinking and using sound judgement to develop options and provide advice, particularly in leading complex or contentious policy work
• Leadership experience, including designing and managing a portfolio of work, and resources
• Understanding & or experience working in partnership with Pacific communities
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the specific relationship under te Tiriti o Waitangi, and Te Whatu Ora's role in improving outcomes for iwi and Māori communities

Working for 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 Tuesday, 16 December 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Anesha Pillay via Anesha.pillay@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position