Health and Safety Delivery Manager - Palmerston North, Whanganui or Hawkes Bay

• Work from either Palmerston North, Whanganui, or Hawkes Bay.  

• Permanent, full-time position 

• Collaborative team who deliver effective and efficient health and safety support 

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  

As the Health & Safety Delivery Manager for Mid Central, Whanganui and Hawkes Bay, you'll provide senior leadership across the district, reporting to the GM, Health and Safety. You'll be responsible for overseeing health and safety operations, ensuring compliance with Health NZ expectations, legislation, and industry standards—including the ACC Accredited Employer Programme (AEP) and ISO45001. 

You'll work closely with the District Group Director Operations, Operations Managers, and Occupational Health teams to deliver strategic initiatives and embed best practice. This role is all about building strong relationships, driving continuous improvement, and fostering a culture of care and safety. You'll also lead a team of health and safety professionals, supporting their development and ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery across the Mid Central, Whanganui and Hawkes Bay.  

About the Team/Service/ Location  

This role is based in at either Palmerston North, Whanganui, or Hawkes Bay only.  

The Health and Safety team plays a vital role in ensuring consistent, high-quality service across all district sites, shifts, and professional groups. The Health and Safety team works within HealthNZ sites. Team members collaborate to deliver effective and efficient health and safety support tailored to the unique needs of each area. This is a dynamic, purpose-driven team who are committed to maintaining safe environments and supporting frontline services across the districts they operate in. 

About you  

This role leads local engagement with key external stakeholders—including WorkSafe, ACC, and union partners—and ensures workers are actively involved in health and safety matters. It provides governance, oversight, and leadership to strengthen and sustain a positive health and safety culture across the district. 

You're a seasoned health and safety leader with over 10 years of experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role. You've led and influenced health and safety teams in healthcare or similarly complex environments, and you bring deep expertise in implementing and managing compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, ACC Accredited Employer Programme (AEP), and ISO45001. 

You're confident navigating ambiguity and change, with a proven ability to lead strategic programmes, coach and mentor professionals at all levels, and make sound decisions in complex operational settings. Your communication style is clear, persuasive, and grounded in strong listening and relationship-building skills. 

You understand the health sector and bring in-depth knowledge of legislation, risk management, and continuous improvement practices. You're calm, consistent, and collaborative, with a strong focus on developing a culture of care and excellence. You also demonstrate a commitment to Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and bring cultural competence and equity-focused leadership to your work. 

Please refer to the Position Profile for more information on what we're looking for in the successful applicant. 

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 

This role is based in at either Palmerston North, Whanganui, or Hawkes Bay please state your preference on your cover letter.  

To apply please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by midnight 30 November 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Ruth Greening at ruth.greening@tewhatuora.govt.nz 

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