Director, Mentally Well

• Full-time, permanent position based from where you are

• Lead the national transformation of Aotearoa's mental health and addictions system

• Shape and drive the Strategic Roadmap for mental health and addictions across Aotearoa

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

As the Director – Mentally Well, you will lead the national Mentally Well System Design Team and hold responsibility for system performance, service redesign, commissioning and strategic planning for mental health and addictions across Aotearoa.

This is one of a small number of senior leadership roles within Te Whatu Ora that serve as officials to the Minister of Mental Health. You will provide high-quality strategic advice, prioritise ministerial requirements, prepare advice and briefings, and represent Te Whatu Ora at Ministerial events and sector engagements.

You will lead the development and implementation of the Strategic Roadmap for Mentally Well, in collaboration with Māori, whānau, lived experience, clinicians, providers and sector partners. You will also oversee commissioning approaches and service funding models for approximately $2 billion of mental health and addictions expenditure nationally — ensuring they are equitable, efficient, and responsive to the needs of communities.

This role offers a rare opportunity to lead large-scale system transformation, influence national priorities, and deliver meaningful changes that support better outcomes, particularly for Māori and Pacific peoples.

About you

You are a respected senior leader with deep experience in commissioning, system design and public sector leadership. You bring credibility, political acumen, strong cultural competence and a genuine commitment to improving mental health outcomes across Aotearoa.

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• A relevant graduate and postgraduate qualification
• 10–15 years' commissioning experience across complex environments
• Proven experience leading system and service design at scale
• Experience leading high-performing teams in demanding environments
• Demonstrated ability to influence and maintain relationships with Māori, Pacific and wider sector partners
• Strong experience navigating the Machinery of Government and operating confidently in Ministerial environments
• Proven ability to communicate complex information and advice to senior leaders, Boards and Ministers
• Experience leading major procurement and probity processes
• Ability to think conceptually and anticipate the long-term impact of decisions
• Exceptional judgement, resilience and the ability to lead through complexity

• Strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and advancing Māori health equity

• Experience in mental health and addictions commissioning

• Experience leading high-performing professional teams and sector networks

You are a strategic leader who can unify diverse stakeholders, drive large-scale change, and bring clarity, courage and purpose to a highly complex portfolio.

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 now." All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by 11:59PM Monday 8 December 2025. For further information, please contact Nicole Rickard on

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

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