National Clinical Network Co-Lead - Stroke - Clinical Leadership

• We are now seeking expressions of interest for a Co-Lead for the Stroke National Clinical Network
• Contribute to transforming the future of health
• Be based in any part of Aotearoa NZ
• Applications are open until Wednesday, 09 December 2026

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

Be part of Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora's journey to create a more cohesive, accessible and people-centred health system. This is mahi that will improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in Aotearoa.

National Clinical Networks are a vital clinical enabler in the health system we are building. They bring health professionals from across the system together to work with whānau and consumers to influence how we prioritise, drive system change, and remove unwarranted variation through the development of national standards and models of care.

The Co-leads share responsibility for the Network's leadership, priorities and work programme, including a collective commitment to advancing equity and addressing unwarranted variation. This is an opportunity for a Co-Lead to have a distinct leadership role in ensuring that Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Māori health priorities, meaningfully inform the Network's decisions, recommendations and actions.

As an experienced stroke clinician you will help shape the future direction of stroke care across Aotearoa. Working alongside the existing Co-Lead, you will bring clinical insight, sector relationships and a collaborative approach to national improvement to deliver improved outcomes for patients and whānau.

The National Clinical Network Co-Lead is a funded position to 0.2 FTE. The term of the Co-Lead roles is two years.

Expression of Interest

Provide a cover letter setting out your interest in the position.

• Submit a short (max 2 pages) resume of your career highlights as it pertains to your experience and your understanding of the burden of disease associated with stroke
• Identify relevant stroke sector leader, clinical knowledge and leadership experience, preferably in rehabilitation and recovery
• Demonstrate relevant experience and capability in Māori health equity and/or working with Māori communities. Experience with Pacific communities is also valued
• Applicants who are shortlisted for interview may be asked to submit a short PowerPoint presentation. Further details of this will be provided after shortlisting.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview with a panel by videoconference.

About the Service

National Clinical Networks are essential for the health system, involving health professionals and whānau to drive system change and develop national standards. More information on the National Clinical Networks can found be on the Health New Zealand website: national-clinical-networks.

You may be based in any part of Aotearoa NZ. You will be supported by a wider programme team to deliver the National Clinical Network work programme.

About you

An approachable and collaborative leader with a broad understanding of health systems and contextual knowledge to bring sector insights and understanding to the Stroke National Clinical Network. As a National Clinical Network Co-Lead, you will be accountable for the delivery of a national work programme and will: 

• Be a practising stroke clinician who provides local &/or regional professional and clinical leadership for stroke services with a particular interest in rehabilitation and recovery
• Have relevant expertise in Māori health leadership, equity and the health system, and the ability to engage credibly with clinical evidence, stroke pathways and service delivery.
• You will work in partnership with the other Co-Lead, the Network and relevant Māori expertise to ensure Māori health equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi are embedded in the Network's priorities, recommendations, implementation and accountability.
• Be invested in your own cultural competency and committed to demonstrating cultural safety
• Be able to translate clinical evidence, service data and sector perspectives into practical recommendations for national planning, investment and service improvement
• Be well connected to the stroke sector and able to bring together different perspectives to support national change.
• Recognise the skills and value of our kaimahi at all parts of the patient pathway including prevention, acute care, rehabilitation, recovery and ongoing support.

We strongly encourage applications from candidates who bring lived experience of Māori communities or have a demonstrated commitment to improving health outcomes for Māori.

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

To apply please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by Wednesday, 09 November 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Maria Bennett at maria.bennett1@tewhatuora.govt.nz