*National clinical leadership appointments – be part of our journey,*
*Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand*

*New Zealand*

Pae Ora | Healthy Futures for all New Zealanders

We’re building a future health system that will perform better for all of us. We know what we seek to do is bold and courageous. That is why we seek to inspire talented people to join us – when we work together, anything is possible.

Contribute to transforming the future of health by joining our National Clinical Leadership group:
- Chief Clinical Officer
- National Chief Medical Officer
- National Chief Nurse
- National Chief Midwife
- National Chief Allied Health Scientific and Technical
- National Clinical Lead Quality and Patient Safety
- National Clinical Lead Mental Health and Addictions
Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand has accomplished a great deal in a little over a year since our inception. In establishing a nation-wide health service and bringing together our kaimahi across Aotearoa New Zealand, we're well into building the foundations to support our success, and to ensure every New Zealander has access to world class healthcare.
Join us and help us lead the transformation. Be a member of the National Clinical Leadership team as we strive towards our kaupapa of creating a more equitable, accessible, cohesive and people-centred health system. This is mahi that will improve the health and well-being of everyone in Aotearoa, and we've got an opportunity for you to be part of it. If you are applying for Chief Clinical Officer, you will report directly to the CEO and be part of the Executive Leadership Team.
Te whiwhinga mahi | The Opportunity
In your role as a member of the National Clinical Leadership team you'll be responsible for the clinical leadership of the group under your responsibility across Te Whatu Ora. Collectively this encompasses the professional leadership of approximately 50,000 employed clinical staff across Te Whatu Ora and the wider funded Health sector.
You'll provide professional leadership and set the strategic direction and planning priorities for your profession. You'll work in partnership with Te Aka Whai Ora – The Māori Health Authority to be accountable for delivery of high quality outcomes for Māori.
You'll regularly report via the Chief Clinical Officer to the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team and the Clinical Quality Assurance Committee of the Te Whatu Ora Board on patient safety and quality outcomes. You'll support the development of a quality sustainable clinical workforce, in particular, to increase the proportion of Māori and Pacific staff.
Mōu | About you
You are a purposeful leader, with significant experience at an executive level, driven by a commitment to make a meaningful impact on healthcare and the consumer experience.
You excel in building and maintaining trusted relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and you are willing to take a stand and advocate for your profession making a difference to equitable outcomes, aligning your actions with your principles.
You have a history of leading large, diverse teams through periods of change, consistently achieving improved results, even within highly nuanced and complex environments.
If you are applying for the Chief Clinical Officer, you will be vocationally qualified in your own profession and with a business or equivalent administration post-graduate degree.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
It's essential that you can demonstrate:
A track record of leadership and successful delivery as a clinician in a senior clinical role
A relevant graduate and post-graduate qualification in health management, service improvement or related field
A commitment to achieving equitable outcomes for Māori
Experience in implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action or improving indigenous health
Demonstrable system-wide experience in leading and managing through transformational system change, both within the organisation and externally in health
Ka kawea e koe | What you'll bring:
A commitment to being a good Te Tiriti partner in all your actions. This includes an understanding of the significance of our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the ability to apply Te Tiriti principles in a meaningful way in this role or equivalent in improving indigenous health.
Take ownership of your learning and growth in improving competency with te ao Māori, Tikanga and te reo Māori to better understand indigenous experience of healthcare.
Nau mai, uru mai | Come and join us
When you join us, you become part of transforming the health system. This is a once in a life-time change,that will touch the lives of everyone in Aotearoa, and future generations.
Our name, Te Whatu Ora, means ‘the weaving of wellness'. Whatu is the combining together of people, resources, organisations, thoughts and actions for the betterment and wellbeing of all. Whatu is also a direct reference to the pupil of the eye, and the vision required of the new entity and system.
We are working towards a system that better meets the complex demands of a growing population, addresses the persistent inequalities experienced by Māori and ensures greater access, experience and outcomes for those traditionally not well served by the system – Māori, Pacific and Disabled People.
Tō mātou whakahaere ki te tika, te rerekētanga, me te whai wāhi mai | Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
We particularly welcome applications from diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.
Join us on our journey to transform Aotearoa, New Zealand’s health service.
Aotearoa, New Zealand has a highly skilled, dedicated and professional health workforce delivering exceptional care. However, there are opportunities to make improvements. We need to build a future health system that will perform better for all of us. A system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.
Firmly grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, Te Whatu Ora serves all New Zealanders.
We’re shaping a future health system that will be simpler and more coordinated, allowing for better and more consistent care, and that will support all New Zealanders to live longer and have the best possible quality of life.

Join us on our journey to transform Aotearoa, New Zealand’s health service.
Aotearoa, New Zealand has a highly skilled, dedicated and professional health workforce delivering exceptional care. However, there are opportunities to make improvements. We need to build a future health system that will perform better for all of us. A system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.
Firmly grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, Te Whatu Ora serves all New Zealanders.

We’re shaping a future health system that will be simpler and more coordinated, allowing for better and more consistent care, and that will support all New Zealanders to live longer and have the best possible quality of life.
Te Whatu Ora is responsible for improving services and outcomes across the health system and working in partnership with the Te Aka Whai Ora. We will manage all health services, including hospital and specialist services, and primary and community care.
Under Te Aka Whai Ora and Te Whatu Ora, each region works alongside local communities to develop and implement plans based on community needs and aspirations to improve the health and wellbeing of every New Zealander.
Our Purpose
Our focus is our shared goal of creating healthier, more empowered communities through delivering an equitable, integrated and sustainable health service.
Please click on the relevant role title below to read the Job Description and Person Specification:
Chief Clinical Officer
National Chief Medical Officer
National Clinical Lead Quality and Patient Safety
National Chief Midwife
National Chief Nurse
National Chief Allied Health, Scientific and Technical
National Clinical Lead Mental Health and Addictions
All applications must include:
• A full curriculum vitae/resume
• Quoting the relevant role reference number:
- Chief Clinical Officer: A038373
- National Chief Medical Officer: A038374
- National Clinical Lead Quality and Patient Safety: A038432
- National Chief Midwife: A038433
- National Chief Nurse: A038434
- National Chief Allied Health, Scientific and Technical: A038435
- National Clinical Lead Mental Health and Addictions: A038686
• A covering letter highlighting the aspects of the job description and Te Whatu Ora/ Health New Zealand that particularly attract you to the post (Microsoft Word document)
• Contact details for three referees, these will not be contacted without your permission. (References should validate a minimum period of six years employment)
• A completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (which you will be redirected to once you have submitted your application) *
Monitoring
One of Alumni Global’s and Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand’s objectives is to ensure that its workforce is reflective of the local community and therefore we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. So that we can successfully achieve these aims, while it is not mandatory, we would encourage every applicant to complete the “Equal Opportunities Monitoring form” so that we can measure the effectiveness of our efforts. The Recruiting Manager does not have access to the Monitoring Information Sections of the application form at any stage of the process and the information provided will be kept entirely confidential.
For a confidential discussion on any of these roles please contact:
Thomas Patterson, Managing Director or Rabiya Ali, Senior Researcher, on +44 (0)75 4574 1153.
Candidate adjustment
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the recruitment process please can you advise us so that we can ensure this is accommodated.
Key Milestones:
Chief Clinical Officer
Closing date: 9.00am (GMT) 11th December 2023
Final Interviews: TBC
National Clinical Lead Mental Health and Addictions
Closing date: 19th April 2024
Final Interviews: TBC
All other roles
Closing date: 18th December 2023
Final Interviews: TBC