Regional Pou Tikanga - Tāmaki Makaurau - Hauora Māori Service at Te Whatu Ora, Auckland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Part-time (0.75 FTE), permanent position
• Based in Tāmaki Makaurau 

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 Regional Pou Tikanga provides cultural leadership and guidance within Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, ensuring tikanga Māori, te reo Māori, and mātauranga Māori are embedded across organisational practices and service delivery. The role strengthens mana whenua partnerships and upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles. This Pou Tikanga role will be based in Tāmaki Makaurau and will work collaboratively with the Pou Tikanga in Tai Tokerau to provide cultural support to the Regional Hauora Māori Services Team. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Māori Clinical Leadership: Contribute to service improvement, planning, and funding streams to ensure initiatives meet Māori health needs and are culturally aligned.
• Tikanga Facilitation: Teach and integrate tikanga practices and te reo Māori throughout the organisation, supporting kaimahi in their mahi.
• Policy & Resource Development: Create culturally appropriate policies, procedures, and resources to enhance organisational understanding of tikanga.
• Relationship Management: Partner effectively with iwi, hapū, regional teams, and communities to embed Māori voices in decision-making and ensure health equity for Māori.

About the Team/Service

As the Hauora Māori Service of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) our core role is to ensure New Zealanders have better and more timely access to health care.  The devolution of resources and decision making to the regions ensures those closest to service users and whānau are involved in decisions on how healthcare is delivered. We are committed to ensuring our operating model is responsive to the needs of Māori. 

About you

You must demonstrate exceptional leadership and advisory skills, with the ability to influence organisational strategy and embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles to advance Māori health equity. Your experience in building meaningful partnerships with iwi, hapū, and communities enables you to shape policy and strategy that incorporates Māori perspectives.

You will have:

• A relevant graduate or postgraduate qualification, or equivalent experience
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including fluency in te reo Māori
• Strong knowledge and practical experience in applying Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience in the health sector considered an advantage

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 27 February 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Zerissa Ong on zerissa.ong@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected kaimahi (staff) will be given preference and priority for this position.