Clinical Advisor, Rural Integration - Planning, Funding and Outcomes at Te Whatu Ora, Te Manawa Taki

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Based in either New Plymouth, Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga or Gisborne
• Permanent Part-Time | 0.4 FTE | 32 hrs per Fortnight
• Influence the development of innovative, patient-centred service models and pathways for rural health services across Te Manawa Taki
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with clinicians, providers, patient groups, and system partners

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

As a Clinical Advisor, Rural Integration you are the senior clinical voice for rural health services within the Planning, Funding & Outcomes Team (PFO). You will provide strategic advice and guidance, working across the system to drive service redesign and develop new, innovative models of care in partnership with PFO teams and wider clinicians.

Crucially, this role requires the ability to maintain part-time clinical practice, ensuring your advice is always grounded in current, real-world experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Clinical Governance & Quality Assurance: Lead the oversight of clinical governance frameworks within the commissioning cycle, ensuring patient safety, quality assurance, and professional standards are central to every decision and review.
• Strategic Clinical Advice: Act as the primary clinical expert, translating complex clinical evidence and intelligence into clear, actionable recommendations for commissioning teams to improve health outcomes and reduce inequities.
• Service Design & Innovation: Utilise your expertise to influence and lead the design of system-wide service models and patient pathways, challenging existing practices and championing new approaches that focus on the needs of priority populations.
• Stakeholder Influence: Forge and maintain strong, high-trust relationships with providers, Iwi partners, and clinical colleagues to ensure the clinical voice is influential in shaping both community and hospital services (H&SS).
• Service Integration: Lead or contribute to implementing key clinical changes at the intersection of H&SS and primary care at a regional and local level.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The PFO team is responsible for the commissioning of all funded primary, community, and mental health services across the Te Manawa Taki region, which spans Taranaki, Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, and Tairāwhiti. You must be based in one of the 5 locations within Health New Zealand's Te Manawa Taki region.

About you

Are you a seasoned rural health professional with previous experience in a senior advisory role committed to driving quality and innovation while maintaining your connection to practice?

We are seeking an influential and experienced Clinical Advisor to join the Planning, Funding & Outcomes (PFO) team, providing expert clinical leadership and governance across our commissioning functions.

This is a unique opportunity to use your deep clinical knowledge in a systems-focused strategic role that directly shapes regional service delivery and improves health equity.

You are a systems thinker with strong problem-solving and collaboration skills, with experience working in a regulated health environment. You are based in the region and passionate about connecting clinical practice with strategic decision-making to help build a more equitable and integrated health system.

Essential Requirements:

• You must be a registered health professional with clinical experience working in rural health and a deep understanding of New Zealand's health system.
• The ability to maintain part-time clinical practice is essential.
• A comprehensive understanding of commissioning processes, service delivery models, and clinical governance principles, including demonstrated experience in a clinical governance role.
• Strong strategic thinking and proven ability to lead and influence system-level change.
• Exceptional ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, from frontline clinicians to senior leaders.
• Significant experience in using data and intelligence products to improve health outcomes, reduce inequities, and improve the health of communities.

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 11:59PM Sunday, 22 February 2026.

For further information, please contact Dr Claire Russell at claire.russell@waikatodhb.health.nz

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

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