National Hazardous Substances Business Partner

• This role can be based at any Health NZ Location
• 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 

This role reports to the National Programme Development and Delivery Manager, with a dotted reporting line to the National Occupational Hygiene and Hazardous Substances Lead. As the National Hazardous Substances Business Partner, you will provide expert advice and technical support to ensure Health New Zealand meets its obligations under relevant health and safety legislation, regulations, and industry standards.

The National Hazardous Substances Business Partner works in close partnership with Regional Health and Safety Managers and District Health and Safety Delivery Managers to enable safe and compliant hazardous substances operations across all districts. This includes contributing to national policy implementation, supporting strategic initiatives, and delivering training and coaching to health and safety and occupational health teams.

The role also involves advising on the deployment of strategic hazardous substances initiatives, supporting operational managers, and leading specific projects as directed. With a strong focus on collaboration, capability building, and consistent service delivery, you'll play a key role in shaping Health NZ's approach to hazardous substances management.

About the Team/Service/ Location

This is a national role that can be based at any Health NZ location.

The Health and Safety team plays a vital role in ensuring consistent, high-quality service across all district sites, shifts, and professional groups. Working remotely with a designated regional focus, 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 services nationally.

About you

You bring up to 10 years of health and safety delivery experience, with a strong focus on hazardous substances management in healthcare or similarly complex environments. You have a deep understanding of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, Hazardous Substances Regulations 2017, the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, and associated codes of practice. You're confident in supporting local implementation and compliance, and in translating regulatory requirements into practical, operational solutions.

Your technical expertise includes incident investigation—particularly serious harm incidents involving hazardous substances—risk assessment and control development, and the delivery of training and coaching to health and safety professionals and operational leaders. You're experienced in supporting strategic programme delivery and contributing to national initiatives, including business case development and programme evaluation.

You're a skilled communicator and relationship builder, able to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organisation. You thrive in complex, changing environments and bring a calm, consistent, and mature approach to problem-solving and decision-making. You're committed to continuous improvement and safety culture development, and you demonstrate a strong understanding of Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with an appreciation for cross-cultural engagement and tikanga Māori.

With a qualification in Health and Safety or equivalent experience, and proficiency across a wide range of technical areas—from risk register management and ICAM investigations to contractor oversight and strategic planning—you're ready to make a meaningful impact in hazardous substances management across Health New Zealand.

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 is a national role and can be based at any Health NZ location, there is a dedicated section on the application for you to outline your preferred location, please also include your preferred location in 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.