Kaitohutohu Northern - Māori Public Health - 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 Hauora Māori Tūmatanui Directorate working within our Northern Region as a Kaitohutohu (Advisor). The primary purpose of the Kaitohutohu role is to provide advice on embedding our te Tiriti relationship and obligations in NPHS regional and local initiatives, projects and services that impact on iwi and Māori communities. The Kaitohutohu is a kaitiaki of the Northern Regional Directorate wharepuni. Led by the Kaitaki Mana Whakahaere, you will advance the Hauora Māori Tūmatanui work programme within the Northern Regional Directorate and support a strong partnership between both Directorates for the benefit of kaimahi Māori in the Northern Regional Directorate.

This role sits in the Northern region .

There are significant expectations in the kaupapa of the NPHS, that we will embed the health sector principles of the Pae Ora Act to achieve equitable outcomes for iwi and Māori communities. The Hauora Māori Tūmatanui Directorate is the lead in supporting the NPHS to : embed the health sector principles of the Pae Ora Act; support of iwi and Māori communities to realise their well-being aspirations; rapidly expand and develop our Māori workforce; and grow and develop the capability of our non-Māori and non-Pacific workforce to provide a culturally safe service.

To succeed in these aims, Hauora Māori Tūmatanui works as a cross-functional team embedded in all NPHS Directorates and supports our kaimahi Maori through the Pā Tūwatwata model to keep our workstreams safe and to have a strong foundation of whakawhanaungatanga and manaakitanga to build a Māori workforce that is valued, elevated and can support the achievement of pae ora.

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 about supporting a Tiriti dynamic region that enables iwi and Māori communities to realise their well-being aspirations. 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.

• A relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent experience
• Needs to draw on relevant longer-term experience specific to the job and work demands, acquired over time– 3-5 years
• Previous experience in applying critical thinking, using sound judgement to develop options and knowledge of the machinery of government, and policy development, is preferable
• Understanding of kawa and tikanga and a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi & some experience working in partnership with iwi & Māori communities

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 Wednesday, 5 November 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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