Senior Health Protection Officer - Taranaki - Te Manawa Taki - Nphs

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 to join our Te Manawa Taki regional service as a Senior Health Protection Officer in our Compliance and Health Protection Taranaki team.

The position will be located at our office in Taranaki.

The primary purpose of the role is to actively support and drive the planning, implementation and evaluation of regional health protection activities and initiatives.

The role is also required to champion and lead the operationalisation of regional programmes of work across local offices and teams.

Your role will provide professional and technical leadership and mentoring to support the Compliance and Health Protection teams across environmental health, border health protection, and communicable disease.

This role ensures the implementation of Te Tiriti principles to advance Pae Ora, advances continuous quality improvement, cultivates a culture of professional growth and is complementary to the people and performance responsibilities of the Team Lead, Compliance and Health Protection and regional health protection leadership.

About the Team / Service / Location

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 have a strong understanding of New Zealand legislation, in particular provisions of the Health Act 1956 and statutory officer roles, powers and duties.

You have advanced investigative and problem-solving abilities and can analyse and interpret public health data for evidence-based decision making.

You have broad knowledge of public health practice, are adaptable and can apply flexibility to manage fast paced and changing environments and priorities.

• A relevant degree in public health as advised in the Criteria for Appointment as a Public Health Statutory Officer
• Experience in implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action
• 5+ years' experience as a Health Protection Officer
• Proven understanding of health protection in the Aotearoa New Zealand context
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively alongside communities and wider stakeholders
• Experience in leading projects, programme planning, evaluation, research and writing reports
• Clean full New Zealand Drivers Licence
• Willingness to travel across the region
• Experience in professional leadership and mentoring

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 Maori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To view the position description and / or apply for the role please click "apply now." All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11 : 59pm on 28 September 2025.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Elismha Lubbe at

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