Practice Lead Mane Ake

**On offer is the opportunity to make a positive impact in an organisation that makes a difference to people's lives**:

- **Contribute to transforming the future of health in this Practice Lead role**

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.
**About the Role**

We have a fixed-term, full-time opportunity available to join our Te Waipounamu regional team as **Practice Lead - Mane Ake**. The primary purpose of the role is to provide operational management and planning for the Mana Ake team in conjunction with the programme lead and with the NGO employment partners. The position will provide clinical leadership and support to Mana Ake kaiarahi (team leaders) and schools to support the continuous improvement of the Mana Ake initiative.

Mana Ake - Stronger for Tomorrow provides mental health and wellbeing support for children in primary school years 1-8 across Canterbury. Mana Ake kaimahi (workers) are employed by one of 13 NGO providers and support schools, families and whānau when children are experiencing issues that impact their wellbeing.

The Practice Lead - Mane Ake does not have any direct reports but provides oversight to Mana Ake kaiārahi across the Mana Ake provider network. Fixed
- Term until 30 June 2026.

**About the Team/Service/ Location**

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) within Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, work towards Pae Ora (healthy futures) for all by engaging with the wider determinants that impact people's health, focusing on oranga/wellbeing, prevention, protection, and population-level intervention. We are connected across boundaries to deliver public health services that are nationally planned, regionally delivered and locally tailored.

**About you**

You are an experienced leader who is committed to being part of an environment that empowers teams to continually learn and evolve, enabling them to deliver responsive and trusted services. You have a proven track record leading and driving positive change and have experience working across agencies to establish effective cross-sector relationships. You have in-depth knowledge of child health services and a working understanding of equity with experience improving access to services for Māori, Pacific, deprived and CALD communities.

**Skills and Experience**
- A relevant graduate and post-graduate qualification
- New Zealand Registered Health Professional with a current annual practicing certificate
- 5+ years post-registration experience in a relevant setting with experience in team leadership within community settings
- Current full New Zealand driver's licence
- Experience working with children experiencing mental health concerns, and their families/whānau
- Established networks within health, education, and social services sectors
- Proficient in case management systems and IT
- Health practice experience in culturally diverse communities would be ideal
- Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth

**Working for Health New Zealand**

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellness'. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations.

**Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion**

**How to Apply