Principal Advisor, Clinical - Hauora Māori Service

• Full-time, permanent position
• Work from any Health New Zealand office location nationwide  

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

Reporting to the Director Clinical, this role provides leadership and coaching, including responsibility for two direct reports. The Principal Advisor in the Clinical team plays a senior leadership role within the Hauora Māori Service, providing high‑quality, evidence‑based advice to support national priorities and decision‑making.  Working as part of a high‑performing national function team, the role combines strategic advisory capability, and technical expertise. You will work closely with iwi and Māori partners, providers, Manatū Hauora and cross-agency stakeholders, alongside HMS SLT and national/regional teams. It also ensures effective ministerial servicing and representation to support the delivery of Hauora Māori Service core functions.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide timely, evidence‑based, free and frank advice supported by strong analysis
• Lead national‑level technical expertise and ensure quality assurance of outputs
• Apply machinery of government knowledge, including effective Ministerial and OIA servicing
• Maintain strong regional connections to inform national advice and decision‑making
• Represent Hauora Māori Service at national hui and support wider national functions

About the Team/Service/ Location

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 an experienced principal policy or health science advisor with strong capability across the Māori sector and government systems. A confident and credible communicator, you bring proven stakeholder management expertise, successfully navigating complex environments and leading programmes and projects across diverse portfolios, particularly in translating Te Tiriti o Waitangi into meaningful, practical action. You'll be comfortable managing ambiguity, prioritising competing demands, and identifying/escalating risks while maintaining high-quality delivery.

You will bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification (or equivalent experience) in public policy, health science or a related field is preferred.
• Extensive experience (5+ years) operating in senior national roles within complex government environments
• Strong working knowledge of the health and disability system, supported by well‑established sector networks
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex and technical concepts into clear, well‑reasoned advice for non‑technical audiences and to build capability across the directorate and wider organisation
• Demonstrated knowledge and practical application of Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches
• Proven experience leading portfolios and projects, including coaching and mentoring others to achieve high performance and excellence

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 15 May 2026.  We may begin interviewing suitable candidates while recruitment is ongoing. 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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