Pacific Senior Project Lead - NPHS at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Contribute to transforming the future of health in this role
• Fixed Term for 3 years  
• Location: National

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 are seeking a strategic and relationship-focused Pacific Senior Project Lead to drive initiatives that improve Pacific participation in the National Bowel Screening Programme. In this senior role, you will lead a high-impact project working with employers of large Pacific workforces, developing and implementing targeted action plans that deliver measurable outcomes.

Based in the Pacific Public Health Directorate of the National Public Health Service (NPHS), you'll work at a national level, building strong partnerships across Health New Zealand, primary care, Pacific providers, and community stakeholders. The role also involves providing strategic advice, contributing to reporting and briefings, and using research and insights to shape effective, culturally grounded approaches.

This is an influential opportunity for a seasoned professional who brings strong project leadership, stakeholder engagement expertise, and a passion for advancing Pacific health equity.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The 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

To succeed in this role, you'll be an experienced and strategic professional with a strong commitment to improving Pacific health outcomes. You bring the ability to lead complex work, build trusted relationships, and translate insights into practical, culturally grounded solutions. You're confident working across systems and influencing at a senior level, with a proactive and delivery-focused approach.

• Proven experience leading complex projects, programmes, or policy work, ideally in the health or public sector
• Strong understanding of Pacific cultures and significant experience working in partnership with Pacific communities
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including managing programmes of work and delivering results across multi-disciplinary teams
• Excellent analytical, communication, and writing skills, with the ability to provide clear, strategic advice
• A relevant tertiary qualification (or equivalent experience), with an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its practical application

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 Monday, 01 June 2026.  If you have any questions about the role, please contact Maria Bennett via maria.bennett1@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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