Kaitohutohu Matua - Senior Advisor Health Education & Community Action Fund Lead - NPHS at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Lead health education and community-led initiatives that strengthen hauora Māori and support equitable health outcomes as part of the Bowel Screening age extension project.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Community Action Fund, building strong partnerships with iwi, hapū, Māori providers and communities.
• Full-time, fixed-term contract for 2 years based in any Health NZ 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

The Senior Advisor Health Education & Community Action Fund Lead will work alongside the National Prevention Screening Directorate and the National Bowel Screening Programme to lead Māori community and innovative engagement strategies. The role will administer and support the distribution of the Māori Community and Innovative Engagement Strategies Fund, enabling initiatives and whānau-centred models of care that are culturally aligned and responsive to Māori communities.

You will help implement culturally appropriate health education campaigns for newly eligible participants, build trusted relationships with bowel screening teams and community partners, and provide hauora Māori leadership into service improvement, planning and funding workstreams.

• lead and coordinate the commissioning, administration and distribution of the Māori Community and Innovative Engagement Strategies Fund.
• support Māori-led initiatives and culturally appropriate health education campaigns that increase participation among newly eligible Māori and those not yet engaged in the National Bowel Screening Programme.

This role will contribute to the Hauora Māori Tūmatanui work programme within the Promotion Directorate and strengthen partnership with the Prevention Screening Directorate to advance equitable bowel screening outcomes for iwi and Māori communities.

About the Service

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) within Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora works 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 will bring strong hauora Māori expertise, relationship management skills, and experience leading complex work programmes or initiatives. You are confident working across government and health sector environments, can provide clear and practical advice, and are committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Pae Ora and equity for Māori.

• A tertiary or relevant qualification in an area of knowledge or expertise aligned to the role, or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 5–7 years' relevant experience, ideally within the health sector, public sector, kaupapa Māori, iwi, Māori community or health promotion environments.
• Experience implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action, including applying mātauranga Māori, kaupapa Māori approaches and equity-focused frameworks in health or community settings.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality advice, reports and presentations for a range of audiences.
• Experience with planning, funding, procurement, commissioning or programme delivery, including the ability to manage risks, relationships and competing priorities.
• Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga Māori and te reo Māori, with a commitment to ongoing learning and growth.

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 Sunday, 1 November 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Maria Bennett at maria.bennett1@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz