Database Administrator at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Database Engineer/Database Administrator

• Work from anywhere in New Zealand, Hybrid role
• Full-time, Permanent role

 

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

 

About the Role

We are looking for a passionate Database Engineer (Database Administrator) to join the Application Databases team within the Digital Enablers & Integration portfolio.

This role is responsible for supporting and maintaining 15,000+ application databases nationally, which underpin critical hospital, corporate, and consumer health systems. You will play a key role in ensuring database platforms are secure, reliable, high-performing, and compliant with national standards.

This is a hands-on technical role operating within a 24x7 environment, where you will contribute to the design, build, operation, and support of application database solutions. You will work closely with Senior Database Engineers and technical leads to resolve issues, deliver improvements, and support service delivery across a complex and large-scale digital ecosystem.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Deploy, configure, and maintain application databases across national platforms
• Monitor database performance, availability, and security compliance
• Troubleshoot and resolve database and system-related issues
• Support incident, problem, and change management processes
• Automate database tasks and optimise system performance
• Contribute to database design and implementation of new solutions
• Maintain operational procedures and ensure adherence to standards
• Work collaboratively with internal teams, project stakeholders, and vendors
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across database services

 

About the Team / Service / Location

This role sits within the Application Databases team in Digital Services, part of the Digital Applications & Products directorate.

The team is responsible for the delivery and support of database services that underpin nationally significant health applications. Working across a large and complex environment, the team ensures consistent standards, strong operational performance, and reliable service delivery across the country.

You will be part of a collaborative, technically skilled team that works closely with delivery teams, vendors, and stakeholders to support critical healthcare systems.

 

About You

This role is ideally suited to professionals with a strong Microsoft SQL Server Administration background, with Oracle Database Administration experience also highly valued.

We welcome applications from experienced Database Administrators (DBAs), Database Engineers, SQL Server Administrators, and Database Platform Specialists who are passionate about delivering secure, reliable, and high-performing database services at scale.

You will have strong technical capability, a proactive and solutions-focused mindset, and the ability to thrive in complex enterprise environments. You will be comfortable balancing operational support, incident response, and continuous improvement initiatives while working collaboratively with a range of technical and business stakeholders.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

Essential

• Proven experience as a Database Administrator (DBA), Database Engineer, or Database Platform Specialist
• Extensive hands-on administration experience with Microsoft SQL Server
• Experience supporting and administering enterprise database platforms, including cloud-hosted database services such as Azure and/or AWS
• Experience deploying, configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting complex database environments
• Strong understanding of service delivery, operational support, incident, problem, and change management processes
• Experience supporting high-availability and mission-critical systems
• At least 3 years' experience in IT, digital services, or a related technical environment

 

Highly Desirable

• Experience administering Oracle Database environments
• Experience with PostgreSQL administration
• Experience working within large-scale, complex enterprise environments
• Experience with database automation, performance tuning, and optimisation

 

 

Qualifications and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
• Database technology certifications or postgraduate qualifications (preferred)
• ITIL or other service management certifications (desirable)

 

Additional Information

• Participation in a 24x7 on-call roster is required
• You may be required to work outside normal business hours to support incidents, maintenance activities, or project delivery
• Occasional travel may be required

 

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellnesses. We are committed to delivering equitable, high-quality healthcare to all New Zealanders.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to being a good employer and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations.

 

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We encourage you to bring your whole self to work. We value the unique experiences and perspectives that you bring, whether from professional, personal, or community backgrounds.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce where everyone feels valued. We welcome applications from all people, including Māori, Pacific Peoples, disabled people, and the Rainbow community.

 

How to Apply

To view the position description and/or apply for the role please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on Thursday, 29 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Ash Mohan at ash.mohan@tewhatuora.govt.nz