Senior Advisor

• Preference for roles to be Wellington based but we are open to other locations

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're looking for two Senior Advisors to join our Advisory Services team within the Infrastructure and Investment Group (IIG). This role is all about providing strategic, high-quality advice and coordination on critical issues impacting the health infrastructure portfolio. You'll prepare and review responses to Official Information Act (OIA) requests, Parliamentary Questions, Ministerial replies, and Select Committee inquiries, while supporting governance reporting ranging from internal subcommittees, Board papers and Ministerial briefings.

You'll play a key part in shaping strategic decision making by delivering robust, evidence-based advice to senior leaders, governance committees, Health NZ Board, and Ministers.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The Advisory Services team in IIG provides strategic and operational advice and manages machinery-of-government products—such as OIAs, WPQs, and Ministerial briefings—on behalf of the IIG Senior Leadership Team. They also proactively shape complex advice and policy development, ensuring alignment with Ministerial goals and anticipating emerging issues across the health infrastructure portfolio.

About you

You're a strong communicator with excellent writing skills and an eye for detail. You thrive in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change quickly and know how to stay calm and focused under pressure. You will be adept to picking things up quickly, and can shift from tactical requests for information through to supporting advice on strategic decisions impacting the health infrastructure portfolio. You have experience providing strategic advice in complex organisationsand are confident navigating government processes and ministerial servicing.

You build strong relationships, work collaboratively, and care about making a positive impact on health outcomes for all New Zealanders.

You will have:

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant area and/or equivalent experience.
• Proven ability to provide high-level strategic advice within a complex organisational environment, including the review and development of Cabinet papers.
• Strong experience in Ministerial and Government servicing including OIAs, Parliamentary questions, and Select Committee inquiries.
• Excellent writing skills and familiarity with Plain English standards.
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong time management and organisational skills.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and commitment to equity.

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 14th January 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact

Due to the December holiday period, this advert will remain open for an extended duration. Screening and interviews will commence from mid-January. We appreciate your patience and look forward to connecting with you in the new year.

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