Regional Clinical Lead, Medical - Te Waipounamu - Hauora Māori Service at Te Whatu Ora, Te Waipounamu

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Full-time, permanent position
• Based in Te Waipounamu | Southern Region

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 

About the Role

As Regional Clinical Lead – Medical, you'll play a key role in shaping the delivery of Hauora Māori services. You'll provide clinical leadership and operational support to ensure services are grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and responsive to the needs of whānau.

Working in partnership with planning and funding teams, hospital services, and Māori health providers, you'll help design and deliver whānau-centred models of care that reflect Māori values and aspirations. Your leadership will strengthen connections across the system and ensure medical services are integrated, culturally safe, and clinically excellent.

Your leadership will influence:

• Regional medical service delivery and clinical excellence
• Integration of Māori models of care
• Strong partnerships across clinical disciplines and operational teams

About the Team/Service

As the Hauora Māori Service of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) our core role is to ensure New Zealanders have better and more timely access to health care.  The devolution of resources and decision making to the regions ensures those closest to service users and whānau are involved in decisions on how healthcare is delivered. We are committed to ensuring our operating model is responsive to the needs of Māori. 

About you

You're a medical leader with a deep understanding of Māori health and a commitment to equity. You bring strategic insight, clinical expertise, and a collaborative spirit that strengthens partnerships and drives transformation.

You have experience leading regional medical services, fostering a culture of connectedness, continuous improvement, and high-quality care. You work in partnership with other clinical disciplines and operational leaders to deliver safe, integrated services that respond to what matters most to whānau. 

You'll bring:

• Medical Council registration and a current New Zealand practising certificate
• A Professional Development Recognition Portfolio (PDRP)
• 8+ years of senior medical leadership and advisory experience
• Proven Māori leadership experience and the ability to influence senior decision-makers

You'll work closely with other Regional Clinical Leads – Medical across the motu and collaborate with the Chief Medical Officer, Hauora Māori Service to improve outcomes for Māori.

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 20 February 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Zerissa Ong on zerissa.ong@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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