Kaitaki Mana Whakahaere | Regional Māori Lead - Te Manawa Taki - NPHS

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora – Waikato District, North Island

• Contribute to pae ora for iwi and Māori communities in this role as a Kaitaki Mana Whakahaere | Regional Māori Lead
• Flexible working supported to balance mahi and your whānau and iwi commitments.
• Permanent, full-time opportunity

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

We have a permanent, full-time opportunity available as a Kaitaki Mana Whakahaere. This is a Hauora Māori Tūmatanui leadership position within Te Manawa Taki Regional NPHS Leadership Team. They are responsible to the Regional Director and accountable to the Ringatohu, Hauora Māori Tūmatanui.

This role is a people leader for a team of Kaitohutohu in support of providing advice and expertise in Tiriti relationships, innovation for equity for Māori, Māori workforce retention and development and kawa, tikanga and te reo Māori, as well as bringing a regional and local perspective to Hauora Māori Tūmatanui.

This role manages the Te Manawa Taki Region made up of Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti and Taranaki. Ideally, you will be based in one of these locations, but this can be discussed at interview stage.

About the Service

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) within Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, work towards Pae Ora (healthy futures) for all by engaging with the wider determinants that impact people's health, focusing on oranga / wellbeing, prevention, protection, and population-level intervention. We are connected across boundaries to deliver public health services that are nationally planned, regionally delivered and locally tailored.

About you

You're passionate and experienced in modelling and championing the integration of mātauranga Māori into public health practice. You are a people leader who can support kaimahi Māori to perform for the benefit of iwi and Māori communities. You're a collaborative team player, an advocate for our Pae Ora health sector principles and are focused on the pursuit of Māori health gains as well as achieving equitable health outcomes for Māori.

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 Tuesday, 2 December 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Anesha Pillay via

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

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