Regional Clinical Lead, Mental Health & Addictions - Hauora Māori Service (Mid Central)
Based in Te Manawa Taki - MidCentral
Permanent, full-time role
We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to five 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
The Regional Clinical Lead, Mental Health & Addictions is a senior Māori leadership role responsible for providing clinical direction and strengthening professional practice and the Māori workforce across a region. The role focuses on delivering high-quality, equitable mental health and addiction services, taking a whole-of-system approach that prioritises whānau needs and outcomes.
Key responsibilities include the following:
Provides strategic Hauora Māori clinical leadership to ensure high-quality, safe, and continuously improving Mental Health & Addiction services
Drives integrated, whānau-centred care through strong collaboration across clinical, operational, and community partners
Takes a whole-of-system approach, building partnerships across regions, sectors, and communities to improve outcomes and experiences
Leads equity initiatives, ensuring services meet the needs of Māori, Pacific peoples, and other priority populations
Champions Pae Ora values, while mentoring others and contributing to regional and national priorities and consistency in service delivery
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 are a highly experienced clinical professional with strong expertise in Mental Health and Addictions bringing deep sector knowledge and a commitment to equitable health outcomes. You are confident in applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, including Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches, and are skilled in leading, advising, and building meaningful partnerships across the health system. You thrive in complex environments, using sound judgement to provide clinical leadership, oversight, and strategic direction.
You will have:
strong clinical experience (eight or more years) in Mental Health & Addictions, supported by a relevant tertiary qualification and current practising certificate
demonstrated leadership capability, including leading projects, mentoring others, and providing clinical oversight to ensure quality and best practice
excellent communication skills, including the ability to develop governance materials and provide clear, professional advice in complex settings
extensive knowledge of the health system, with strong relationship-building, decision-making, and problem-solving skills across diverse stakeholders and communities.
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 Friday, 21 August 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Zerissa Ong zerissa.ong@tewhatuora.govt.nz
We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.
We only accept online applications. Please apply via our website.
