Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand has national responsibility for the operational delivery of health services across New Zealand. Since being formed in 2022, we have focussed on establishing a nation-wide health service, bringing services closer to patients and communities and building firm foundations to ensure every New Zealander has access to world class healthcare. 

We are seeking a collaborative, innovative and motivated individual to join our senior healthcare leadership team. The postholder will play a critical role in supporting transformation at regional level to achieve a more equitable, accessible, cohesive and people-centred health system.   

You will provide professional leadership and support the strategic direction, planning priorities and delivery of clinical care, in conjunction with the national clinical leadership team.  

Regional Director – South Island 

As Regional Director for South Island, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing and coordinating the way patient care is delivered across a wide geographical area. Reporting directly to the National Director of Hospital & Specialist Services, Fionnagh Dougan, you will be a visible leader, able to create powerful relationships with external and internal partners. Bringing strong organisational judgement and political acumen, you will have the ability to engage and influence a diverse range of stakeholders, including trade unions, system partners, the public, and the media. You will have lead responsibility for ensuring safe and effective service care is delivered to the communities we serve.  

You will have deep experience in fostering and supporting managers and leaders, creating conditions for accountability through data and intelligence utilisation, as well as maintaining effective communication with national leaders in Te Whatu Ora and the broader New Zealand public services community. Positioned as the most significant role of its kind in New Zealand, this role brings high expectations for the capabilities and motivation of senior candidates who will have proven executive-level experience, preferably as a Chief Operating Officer, in a complex healthcare organisation.  

Skills and experience 

• For this role it is important that that you can demonstrate: 
• A track record of senior leadership in a complex operational environment 
• A relevant graduate or post-graduate qualification in health management, service improvement or a related field or commensurate experience 
• A commitment to achieving equitable outcomes for Māori 
• Experience in improving health outcomes for ethnically diverse communities or improving indigenous health 
• Demonstrable system-wide experience in leading and managing through transformational system change, both within organisation and externally in health systems and amongst partners 

What you will bring:

A commitment to being a partner to staff and communities in all your actions. This includes an understanding of the significance of our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the ability to apply inclusive and diverse leadership principles in a meaningful way, in this role or equivalent, in improving indigenous and diverse communities’ 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. 

Come and join us 

When you join Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand, you become part of transforming the health system. This role offers a once in a career opportunity to touch the lives of everyone, and future generations, through the transformational leadership skills you bring. 

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. 

Te Whatu Ora 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. 

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion 

Te Whatu Ora particularly welcome applications from diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. 

How to apply 

To view the position description and/or apply for this role, please click “APPLY NOW.” If you have any questions about the role, please feel free to contact our Executive Search partner, Alumni Global by contacting Rabiya Ali, Senior Researcher on +44 (0)75 4574 1153 or via email on Rabiya.ali@alumniglobal.com