Regional Director - Northern Region - NPHS at Te Whatu Ora, Auckland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Contribute to transforming the future of health in a rewarding leadership role
• Location: Northland or Auckland
• Permanent, Full-Time

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

We have a permanent, full-time opportunity available to join our NPHS Leadership team as Regional Director — Northern. As a member of the National Public Health Service (NPHS) Leadership Team, the Regional Director contributes to the overall NPHS/Health New Zealand (HNZ) strategy.

The primary purpose of the role is to work in partnership with colleagues in NPHS and HNZ to provide leadership and oversight for regionally coordinated and delivered public health services. The Regional Director also plays a key role at the regional HNZ Leadership table.

Specifically, the role will guide and influence the planning, commissioning and delivery of services to ensure excellence, equity, consistency and integration of public health perspectives and services across all communities in the Northern region, and where relevant, across New Zealand. The Regional Director will work in partnership with the Hauora Mäori Service Group, Pacific Health and the Executive Regional Directors to determine, evaluate and integrate ongoing public health programmes and services for the benefit of local communities.

Health New Zealand I Te Whatu Ora delivers public health services across Northland, Waitematā, Auckland, and Counties Manukau as part of the Northern region. Our ideal candidate would be based in one of these locations.

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 have significant experience at an executive level within large public facing multi-faceted or complex environments with multiple consumer and political interests and expectations. You're able to operate in a confidential/secure environment with access to sensitive information. You, are an experienced senior leader with proven experience of leading change, building capability, innovation and lifting performance of a team/unit. You have inclusive leadership and management skills and can maximise the quality and contributions of individuals and teams to drive outcomes and deliver programmes of work in a complex environment.

• Relevant graduate (and post-graduate) qualification in Public Health
• A commitment to biculturalism and commitment/willingness to take a stand to get equitable outcomes for Māori
• A strong drive to deliver and take personal responsibility
• The highest standards of personal, professional and institutional behaviour through commitment, loyalty and integrity
• Experience of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action
• Proven experience successfully leading large diverse teams through change and uncertainty, achieving improved results while navigating a highly nuanced and complex system
• Ability to take care of own physical and mental wellbeing, including having the resilience and stamina to go the distance
• Able to maximise the quality and contributions of individuals and teams to achieve the region's vision, purpose and goals
• The intellectual capability required of the role, including commitment to ongoing continuing development, and a genuine interest in leadership
• Significant experience at an executive level within large public facing multi­faceted or complex environments with multiple consumer and political interests and expectations
• Proven experience in successfully developing and maintaining a structured approach to managing a wide range of stakeholder and professional relationships both internally and externally

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, 15 February 2026.If you have any questions about the role, please contact Anesha Pillay via Anesha.pillay@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.