Programme Manager - Equity Projects

• Māori Health & Equity Services Te Puna Oranga, Waikato Hospital
• Permanent, Full time
• Are you passionate about equity and improving health outcomes for whānau? Become part of Māori Health & Equity Service, dedicated to closing the equity gap for whānau and removing barriers to accessing healthcare. 

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

As the Equity Programme manager, you will work in conjunction with the Director Māori Health & Equity to lead and support equity initiatives across the Hospital Specialist Services to strengthen capability and capacity to achieve Māori health equity. Ensure programme design and activities incorporate Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, supporting equitable health outcomes for whānau. 

Key responsibilities:

• To work in conjunction with the Director Māori Health & Equity to lead and support equity initiatives across Hospital & Specialist Services to strengthen capability and capacity to achieve Māori health equity 
• To manage the Equity work with the Clinical Equity Leads, with governance over equity programmes within our service 
• To staff management and leadership, the abilities required to effectively guide, support, and coordinate a team to achieve organisational goals while maintaining a positive and productive work environment 
• The Enhanced Hauora Access Team & Charge Nurse Manager operate under the oversight of the Equity Programme Manager and Senior Leadership structure, for the equity initiative and the Hauora ihub 
• To implement programmes to support improving the National Health Targets
• To provide expert advice and contribute to relevant governance groups, service planning and delivery to reduce disparities and improve equity to support Māori Health gains and aspirations across Hospital Services Directorates.
• To work alongside services to ensure these are connected to and accessible to whānau when needed
• To work in conjunction with the Director Māori Health & Equity to champion the priorities and aspirations of Māori communities, in the delivery of health services within the Hospital & Specialist Services to achieve Pae Ora, Te Tiriti obligations and Māori health aspirations 
• To champion Māori models of health and wellbeing across the workforce and organisation
• Produce an Equity annual plan of work and Key Point Indicators

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team

Māori Health & Equity is committed to radically improving access to healthcare and implementing programmes that connect whānau to equitable health outcomes. Guided by kaupapa Māori values, we work alongside whānau and clinical teams to remove barriers, champion equity, and support meaningful engagement within the health system. We aim to create a seamless pathway between the hospital and primary healthcare, ensuring whānau receive the care and support they need.

We are dedicated to embedding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our everyday practice upholding tino rangatiratanga, fostering partnership, ensuring active protection, enabling equitable health outcomes, and supporting whānau to access care in a way that honours their mana, aspirations and wellbeing. 

About you

• You will bring a Postgraduate or Master's qualification in Health or, Business Management or other relevant discipline 
• Demonstrate experience in implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action 
• Proven experience applying equity-focused approaches to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for priority populations, especially Māori and Pacific whānau.
• Understanding of Tikanga Māori, Te Ao Māori and the ability to engage appropriately in Māori settings

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 online or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on 6 April 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Rachael Devey at Rachael.Devey@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.