Regional Clinical Director Nursing

• Senior Clinical Leadership opportunity with the Te Manawa Taki Regional team
• Permanent full-time role
• Location: any NPHS office location in Te Manawa Taki

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

We have a pivotal senior clinical leadership role within the NPHS Te Manawa Taki Regional team as Regional Clinical Director Nursing (RCDN). Reporting to the Regional Director NPHS, the RCDN will provide nursing leadership and advice with responsibility for supporting the delivery of safe and effective Regional public health services, lead professional frameworks, reviewing and approving resource allocation, research, and education and provide organisation - wide assurance, leadership, and quality governance for the clinical teams within the regional public health service.

As a member of the Regional Leadership Group and the Regional Clinical and Professional Leadership Team, the RCDN will provide nursing leadership, oversight and direction into the development and delivery of strategy, and services across the region to enable the realisation of Pae Ora. They will work closely with others across the sector to enable equity for Māori, Pacific, people with disabilities, and other communities. They will lead and support the development of the nursing workforce within the regional public health service.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The 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 senior leader who is passionate about leading and supporting the development of the nursing workforce within the regional public health service. You understand the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and are skilled in applying its principles effectively in your role. You will bring previous experience in leading change, and service and quality improvement initiatives. You are able to apply critical thinking and use sound judgment in your decision making. You are able to foster a team culture in which people proactively try new approaches, learn, work in partnership and develop and find ways to continuously improve in their area of expertise.

• A relevant graduate and post-graduate qualification
• Experience in implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action
• New Zealand Registered Nurse with Current Annual Practicing Certificate
• Minimum 5 years' experience in senior nursing leadership roles
• Demonstrated broad nursing experience in public health of at least 10 years
• Experience in leading change, and service and quality improvement initiatives
• Experience in applying critical thinking, using sound judgment to develop options and knowledge of the machinery of government, and policy development
• Experience in developing professional frameworks and governance systems
• Proven supervision, mentoring, coaching, and teaching skills
• Experience working in clinical-management and inter-disciplinary partnerships to support optimal team and service outcomes
• Demonstrable understanding of kawa and tikanga and a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi & some experience working in partnership with iwi & Māori communities

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 Sunday, 9 November 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Anesha Pillay at

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.