Programme Manager, Acute Flow

• Auckland based
• Permanent, full time

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is transforming the way healthcare is delivered by empowering decision-making within its four regions. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the future of public healthcare in the Northern region.

Northern employs over 35,000 highly skilled clinical and non-clinical professionals.. As the largest region in New Zealand comprising four districts: Te Tai Tokerau | Northland, Waitemata, Te Toka Tumai | Auckland, and Counties Manukau it provides and funds health services for a population of approximately two million people or 40% of the NZ population.

What makes the region, and the work you will be involved in, interesting is its diversity. It includes NZ's largest city as well as a significant rural population and is the most ethnically diverse region. Some areas report among the highest life expectancy in the country, while others face persistent socioeconomic and health challenges. These include high rate of potentially preventable conditions, unmet health needs, and stark differences in service access.

About the Role

The primary purpose of the role is to provide oversight of the regional acute flow programme, develop best practice and monitor regional performance aligned with national frameworks and approaches.

The role will:

• Provide information to the Director Performance and Improvement to support timely decision making, identifying expectations that require action, monitoring and co-ordination of acute flow activity across the continuum of health services across the Northern Region
• Ensure the acute flow initiatives/work plans are embedded into primary and community care and hospital operations.
• Monitor and hold Planning Funding and Outcomes and hospital and specialist services leads to account for delivery against acute flow initiatives/work plans and relevant performance targets to ensure optimal delivery.

This is a Northern Region position so you may be required to work in any Northern Region District.

About you

You bring at least three years' experience in senior management within a health organisation where you've been responsible for project delivery, financial management, budgeting and leading people. You communicate with ease both verbally and in writing, and your style is adaptable to suit audiences at all levels, internally and externally.

You're confident facilitating diverse groups and navigating complex or sensitive issues, maintaining credibility and professionalism even in challenging situations. Your strong analytical and conceptual thinking enables you to provide high-quality advice and insights that support senior leaders in making informed strategic decisions.

Relationship building is one of your key strengths. You collaborate effectively with senior managers, colleagues and a wide range of stakeholders, forming partnerships that support successful outcomes and long-term impact.

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, 30 November. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Matt Kelly at

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