Sudden Unexpected Death Infancy

**Sudden Unexpected Death Infancy (SUDI) Coordinator**

**Job Number**:WAI29728**
- **Waikato Hospital**:

- **Permanent contract**:

- **Full time, job share considered**

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

**About the Role**

We are seeking a passionate and driven individual to coordinate, develop and implement the **Waikato Regional SUDI (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy) Prevention Action Plan**. This vital role focuses on supporting whānau and working with key maternity and early years stakeholders to reduce the risk of SUDI across the Waikato region.

As part of the **National SUDI Prevention Programme**, you will work both at a whānau level and system level, ensuring consistent messaging, equitable solutions (such as Safe Sleep Spaces), culturally relevant education, and access to services that reduce modifiable risks of SUDI. You’ll be advancing the national goal of reducing the SUDI rate to **0.1 per 1000 infants by 2025.**

**Key responsibilities include**:

- Coordinating the delivery of SUDI prevention initiatives including safe sleep devices (e.g. wahakura), breastfeeding support, and smoking cessation services.
- Collaborating with Māori, Pacific, and community services to embed culturally appropriate SUDI prevention practices.
- Delivering and supporting pregnancy and parenting education through initiatives like Hapū Wānanga.
- Providing training and support to health professionals and service providers.
- Collecting, analysing, and reporting data to inform service planning and continuous improvement.

Click **here** to view the position description.

**About the Team**

This role sits within the Hapū Wānanga Team, a key part of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waikato’s Maternity, Early Years & Te Puna Oranga services. The team delivers pregnancy education and SUDI prevention programmes across the region in partnership with:

- Iwi and Māori health providers
- Primary maternity services
- Pacific health services
- Community organisations, stop smoking services, and lactation support teams

You will work alongside regional and national partners to ensure culturally responsive, high-quality and equitable services. You'll also help manage service relationships, maintain a database of providers and support agencies, and support evaluation and reporting aligned with Ministry of Health requirements.

**About you**

You are passionate about maternal and infant health and have a strong commitment to equity and whānau-centred care. You understand the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and have the cultural competence needed to engage effectively with Māori and Pacific communities.

To be successful in this role, you will have:
Essential:

- A relevant undergraduate qualification (e.g. in health, education, or social services)
- SUDI Prevention Training
- Adult education or group facilitation experience
- Strong cultural competency and understanding of te ao Māori
- A full, clean New Zealand driver’s licence
- Experience in data analysis and confident report writing

Desirable:

- Health science or nursing/midwifery qualification
- Kairāranga (weaving) skills and cultural knowledge

You will also be able to:

- Demonstrate resilience and adaptability in a changing health environment
- Build effective partnerships across sectors and communities
- Educate and support whānau with compassion and professionalism
- Confidently lead health promotion initiatives with a strong equity focus
- Work independently while contributing as a collaborative team member

**Working at Health New Zealand**

**How to Apply