Fixed-term HR Business Partner at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Southern, Otago

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Dunedin or Southland Hospital
• Full-time, fixed-term role until the end of March 2026
• Varied role in a supportive team

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the role

The role of HR Business Partner supports the People Partnering Lead through the provision of end to end operational HR advice and services, including the delivery and implementation of HR strategies, policies and processes. The role will be expected to take autonomous accountability for a service/set of services or regions in the delivery of these services.

This role works in partnership with senior managers to understand the strategic aspects and HR needs, to support the services in the achievement of its goals and operational requirements.

The role works proactively in close collaboration with other HR Business Partners and the wider P&C functional teams to ensure the provision of a flexible, comprehensive, and value-add HR advice.

The HR Business Partner will assist with the implementation of strategic HR projects as well support transformational change across the organisation.

This role is responsible for the following:

• Employment relations (investigations, disputes, mediation) at a medium level of risk and complexity
• Union engagement (preparing for and may attend JCC and BAG forums etc)
• Coaching and developing managers in workforce management and leadership
• Proactive workforce culture and performance development in Service areas
• Use of our remuneration frameworks
• May assist with service sizing
• Support for OIAs, audit reporting, service reporting, SECA implementation as needed and in conjunction with other district or regional colleagues and national teams
• Support the implementation of national frameworks and tools 

About the Team/Service/Location

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora - Southern has the largest geographical coverage of all the New Zealand regions, providing services to 350,000 people in diverse communities. We take pride in all the services we provide, and our aim is to improve, promote and protect the health of our region. We believe that our dedicated and passionate staff are a significant driving force behind the achievement of these standards, and we need more like-minded people to help us continue providing for our community.

About you

You will follow your instincts. You question. You're a thinker, and while we need you to be able to closely follow set HR processes, we encourage you also to challenge your own (and others') thinking when you need to. Your ability to communicate comes naturally and you build relationships based on trust and integrity. You will be expected to apply the values of the organisation in everything you do, being a role model for People and Culture as a professional and customer focussed service.

A key part of your role is coaching and advising managers and staff in a way that builds HR capability across the organisation.

Key skills and experience include but are but not limited to the following:

• HR related qualification
• A knowledge of employee relations, employment law and practices
• Previous HR and/or ER experience preferred
• Experience working in a large organisation would be a bonus
• Knowledge of the health sector would be a bonus

View position description.

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 Sunday, 23 November 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Mikayla Hamilton mikayla.hamilton@tewhatuora.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.

We only accept online applications. Please apply via our website.