Regional Clinical Lead, Mental Health & Addictions - Hauora Māori Service

• Full-time, permanent position
• Based in Te Manawa Taki | Midcentral

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

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:

• 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 (8+ 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 21 August 2026.  If you have any questions about the role, please contact Zerissa Ong on zerissa.ong@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected kaimahi (staff) will be given preference and priority for this position. 

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