Senior Advisor - Health Promotion - Harmful Commodities - NPHS at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Fixed-term / full-time contract role for 2 years based across NZ
• Are you passionate about advancing health equity, strengthening communities, and creating lasting system change?
• Influence national health promotion strategy and system change

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

As a Senior Health Promotion Advisor, you'll work closely with regional health promotion teams, public health leaders, community organisations and key stakeholders to deliver coordinated and impactful initiatives. You'll use insights, evaluation and data to measure progress, inform decision-making and continuously improve outcomes, while influencing policy, systems and supportive environments that enable healthier communities. The role also requires strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to tailor approaches to meet the needs of diverse communities.

You will contribute to nationally led health promotion initiatives that improve health outcomes and wellbeing for communities across Aotearoa. Working within a collaborative public health environment, you'll lead and support the design, implementation and evaluation of evidence-informed health promotion programmes, strategies and interventions that address the wider determinants of health. Grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity and Pae Ora principles, the role focuses on creating sustainable change and improving outcomes for Māori, Pacific peoples and other priority populations.

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

You'll be a collaborative and experienced health promotion professional with strong cultural capability and a commitment to equity-led practice. You will also bring:

• Relevant tertiary qualification and significant experience in health promotion or public health
• Strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and experience applying it in practice
• Experience working alongside Māori and Pacific communities and stakeholders
• Knowledge of Māori models of health, the Ottawa Charter and determinants of health
• Excellent relationship management, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Strong analytical, advisory and communication capabilities
• Experience planning, delivering and evaluating programmes or projects
• Ability to work effectively in complex and evolving environments
• Confidence navigating sensitive or politically complex issues with professionalism and sound judgement
• Experience in smokefree/vapefree initiatives, evaluation, procurement or contract management will be highly regarded.

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 Tuesday, 16 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.