Charge Nurse Manager

• Puna Maatai - Puawai forensic service inpatient Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre, Waikato Hospital
• Permanent 80 hours per fortnight

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

Charge Nurse Manager (CNM) roles are essential in creating partnerships with Māori across all levels including tāngata whaiora, whānau, Māori staff and the Kaitakawaenga team, and supporting our non- Māori staff to work together in reducing inequity. The Charge Nurse Manager is a key senior role within the team responsible for providing leadership and support to staff, tāngata whaiora and whānau, working in close collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team

Responsibilities of the role:

• To build a high performing team that upholds the culture, values, mission and vision of the service.
• Management of the workflow and workload across the clinical area.
• Provides clinical leadership and oversight.
• Engage and work collaboratively with all stakeholders, particularly tāngata whaiora and whānau.
• Supports the pursuit of Māori health gains as well as achieving equitable health outcomes for Māori.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team

Puna Maatai is a 13 bedded forensic acute admission unit that supports some of our most vulnerable and unwell tāngata whaiora who can often present with significant risk and complex presentations. Tāngata whaiora come to Puna Maatai either via the criminal justice system or Te Ara Poutama (Corrections).

About Hamilton

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here

About you

• 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
• Experience in upholding Te Tiriti principals and frameworks, and the application of Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches, particularly as they apply in healthcare settings.
• A Registered Nurse who has demonstrated clinical experience in a mental health setting
• Ability to display initiative and resourcefulness that will allow you to navigate the variety of challenges you could face
• Experience in leadership roles is an advantage
• Experience in either forensic mental health environments or corrections environments is an advantage

Working at 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 online or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on 22 December 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Amanda Lewis-Wilson at

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.

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