Health Protection Officer

• Join a team of passionate public health professionals
• Play a critical role in the areas of regulatory compliance, environmental health and disease investigations
• Permanent, full-time opportunity available in Dunedin (Wakari)

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 an opportunity available to join our Te Waipounamu team based in Dunedin (Wakari)as a Health Protection Officer.

Health Protection Officers hold responsibility for monitoring, compliance, operational policy implementation and providing evidence-based advice and information that aims to improve, promote and protect the health of our population in the communities we service with a focus on Equity and Hauora Māori. They primarily work in compliance, environmental health, communicable disease surveillance and investigations, emergency management and border health protection.

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

If you're naturally inquisitive, love investigation and have a strong sense of initiative, you may be a great fit for this role. We need someone who can identify and manage risks to human health effectively. Excellent communication skills are a must, as you'll be working closely with other public health professionals. Paying close attention to details and following procedures accurately are essential skills we're looking for.

You're skilled at building relationships within our organization and the broader community, including various agencies and stakeholders. You can work collaboratively alongside communities and wider stakeholders and having strong links to our Te Waipounamu communities would be advantageous.

• A relevant degree in public health as advised in the Criteria for Appointment as a Public Health Statutory Officer
• Experience in public health as a Health Protection Officer or Environmental Health Officer
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively alongside communities and wider stakeholders
• Experience in project and programme planning and evaluation, research and writing reports
• Ability to analyse and interpret public health data for evidence-based decision making
• Experience in implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action
• Proficiency in risk assessment and management
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Clean NZ Driver Licence
• Willingness and ability to take part in a 24/7 on-call roster

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 Wednesday, 10 December 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Anesha Pillay via

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