Principal Advisor - Office of the National Director - Hauora Māori Service at Te Whatu Ora, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Full-time, permanent position
• Based in Wellington or Auckland only

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. 

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

As a Principal Advisor, you'll be responsible for supporting the Head of Office of the Executive National Director, Hauora Māori Service in the day-to-day operations of the Hauora Māori Service directorate. You'll manage multiple stakeholders, provide strong, objective insights, and act as a trusted voice within the team and helping the directorate navigate complex issues with confidence.

From supporting our senior leadership team to commissioning and reviewing briefings and providing advice, to being the conduit for the central Government Service team for all ministerial matters. You'll help ensure our advice is clear, timely, and aligned with organisational, Board, and Ministerial priorities.

You'll also help lift the quality of our advice to make sure our Executive National Director and leadership team, CE, Board and Ministers are well‑briefed and set up for success. Working directly with Hauora Māori Service national and regional teams and teams across the wider organisation, you'll help connect the dots, ensure we have a clear position that is aligned with organisational priorities, and keep our work moving in the right direction.

You'll succeed in this role if you enjoy bringing together information to find the ‘so what', work at a fast pace, and are comfortable with working in ambiguous and complex situations.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The Office of the Executive National Director, Hauora Māori Service is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations to support the Executive National Director and senior leadership team.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have the following:

• Relevant tertiary qualification.
• Practical experience putting Te Tiriti o Waitangi into action.
• Background operating at Principal or Management level in a Ministerial servicing team with a strong understanding of machinery of government processes.
• Strong understanding of the health and disability sector and well‑established networks.
• Proven ability to manage senior stakeholders, think strategically, and navigate complex environments, supported by financial, risk, and project management capability.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to translate technical information for non‑experts and share knowledge across the directorate/organisation.

Desired

• Private Secretary experience in a Ministers Office.
• Secretariat support for senior governance groups.

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 13 May 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.

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