Health Protection Officer - Auckland - Northern Region - NPHS (Fixed Term) at Te Whatu Ora, Auckland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Join a team of passionate public health professionals
• Play a critical role in the areas of regulatory compliance, environmental health, border health and disease investigations
• Full time, fixed term for 12 months

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 an opportunity available to join our Northern Region team based in Auckland as a Health Protection Officer. 

Health Protection Officers hold responsibility for monitoring, compliance, operational policy implementation and providing evidence-based advice and information that aims to improve, promote and protect the health of our population in the communities we service with a focus on Equity and Hauora Māori.  They primarily work in environmental health, communicable disease surveillance and investigations, emergency management and border health protection.

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

If you're naturally inquisitive, enjoy investigation and have a strong sense of initiative, you may be a great fit for this role.  We're looking for someone who can identify and manage risks to human health effectively.  Excellent communication skills are a must, as you'll be working closely with other public health professionals and whanau in the community. Paying close attention to details and following procedures accurately are essential skills this role.

You're skilled at building relationships within our organization and the broader community, including various agencies and stakeholders. You can work collaboratively alongside communities and wider stakeholders and having strong links to our Tamāki Makaurau communities would be advantageous.

• A relevant degree in public health as advised in the Criteria for Appointment as a Public Health Statutory Officer
• Experience in public health as a Health Protection Officer or Environmental Health Officer
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively alongside communities and wider stakeholders
• Proficiency in risk assessment and management
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Clean NZ Driver Licence
• Willingness to travel across the region

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 Thursday, 12 March 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.