Programme Lead - Whai Ora - NPHS

Programme Lead - Whai Ora - NPHS

Join Health NZ and the NPHS directorate as a Programme Lead

Full-time, fixed-term contract for nine months (August-April)

Location: National or any regional NPHS office

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 eight-month fixed-term full-time opportunity within our Health Promotion team as a Programme Lead within our Whai Ora (Mental Health Promotion) team.

A critical element of the role is to provide expert advice on health promotion, particularly mental health promotion. The advice should support the design, development, and evaluation of health promotion programmes, strategies, policies, interventions and initiatives that address the determinants of health and support wellbeing. The role will also provide leadership of a team working on a high-priority health promotion area.

About the Team/Service/Location

The 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

You will bring a high level of understanding, skill and experience in the field of health promotion - particularly within mental health. You have mature communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to write and present in a clear, persuasive, and impactful way, to influence others to embrace change, and to develop, unify and maintain strong internal and external relationships essential for achieving sustainable outcomes.

• A relevant tertiary qualification, and/or at least seven years' experience in developing and delivering successful government initiatives
• Exceptional team and project management experience.
• Advanced understanding and practical experience in applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi into work
• Demonstrated experience facilitating groups and leading meetings
• A strong results orientation, able to lead teams and individuals to deliver projects on time and to a high standard
• Experience in dealing with high-level officials, senior management, and stakeholders in government, community and/or commercial organisations
• Proven financial and risk management experience at a senior level. Ability to manage significant budgets and a proven and demonstrated ability in delivering value for money from suppliers and stakeholders

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 Thursday, 18 June 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Maria Bennett via View email address on click.appcast.io

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