Kaitohutohu Matua - Prevention Immunisations - NPHS at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Provide senior advice and thought leadership to support equitable immunisation outcomes for Māori
• Strengthen partnerships with iwi and Māori communities, ensuring their voices and aspirations inform service delivery
• Contribute to high-impact prevention initiatives across national, regional and local immunisation programmes

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 Kaitohutohu Matua – Prevention Immunisations, you will provide senior advice and expertise to support the delivery of the Prevention Immunisations work programme, working in partnership with the Hauora Māori Tūmatanui and Prevention Immunisations Directorates. You will contribute to national, regional and local prevention initiatives, using data, insights, mātauranga Māori and critical thinking to inform decision-making and improve immunisation outcomes for iwi and Māori communities.

You will build and maintain strong relationships with iwi, Māori communities and key partners, ensuring their voices and aspirations inform the planning and delivery of services. Taking a systems-wide approach, you will provide thought leadership, identify opportunities to address inequities and contribute to innovative solutions that support equitable health outcomes and Health New Zealand's priorities.

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 are an experienced senior advisor who brings strong cultural capability, sound judgement and the ability to navigate complex and sensitive issues. You will be confident building trusted relationships across diverse groups and working in partnership with iwi and Māori communities. You are comfortable providing high-quality advice to a range of audiences and bring a collaborative, adaptable approach to delivering results in a complex environment.

You will also bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience, with at least five years' relevant experience in work of comparable complexity and demands.
• Strong understanding of tikanga, kawa, mātauranga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with significant experience working in partnership with iwi and Māori communities.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical and judgement skills, with experience developing advice and options on complex or contentious issues.
• Leadership experience, including managing a portfolio of work and building effective relationships across teams, functions and stakeholders.
• Capability in te reo Māori, or a commitment to developing your proficiency, along with clear written and verbal communication skills; health sector and/or government experience would be advantageous.

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