Payroll Manager Southern at Te Whatu Ora, Otago

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Otago or Southland based
• 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 

The primary purpose of the role is to lead a team of payroll specialists, provide leadership, and expert advice on all payroll matters, and to ensure the efficient and effective day-to-day operational management of a district payroll team.

The payroll manager will be part of a network of district payroll managers and will operationally contribute to the goals of the national payroll team and the delivery of national and local payroll objectives.

The role is responsible to ensure all payroll payments are processed accurately and on schedule, in compliance with payroll legislation, organisational policies, and approximately 50 complex collective agreements in a highly unionized environment. The position requires expertise in all the Acts pertaining to payroll, but not limited to the Holidays Act 2003, Wages Protection Act and Employment Relations Act.  Expertise is required in payroll processes, compliance, and scalability to deliver precise and timely payments, while also supporting digital transformation initiatives aimed at updating legacy, or outdated payroll systems and processes within the district.

About you 

You bring 8–10 years of senior payroll leadership experience, leading teams of payroll specialists within complex, highly unionised environments that operate under multiple collective agreements. You are highly skilled in payroll legislation, including the Holidays Act 2003, Wages Protection Act, Parental Leave Act, Superannuation Act, and Employment Relations Act.

You have previous payroll experience within the health sector and demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, alongside excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

You also understand the Official Information Act and its implications for data collection, sharing, storage, and security, ensuring compliance and safeguarding sensitive information.

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 19th January 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact careers@tewhatuora.govt.nz