Pou Manaaki Te Waka Hauora

Pou Manaaki Te Waka Hauora, Wairau Hospital, Permanent Full-time

• This is a varied role working within a small Hauora Māori team working alongside clinicians. You will be joining a team of like-minded professionals that hold Māori and Pasifka patients and their whanau at the centre of care focusing on best possible health outcomes. 
• A team that is supportive and encourages growth and values teamwork. A commitment to support and assist Māori and Pasifika patients and their whānau to navigate the hospital pathways of care.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

As Pou Manaaki Te Waka Hauora, you will provide Māori and Pacifica health services to the hospital outpatient departments. You’ll need to develop strong relationships to ensure effective and timely referral of Māori and Pacifica patients.

The role will also focus on supporting bicultural education of our hospital staff and may also, at times, support wider community-based projects or programmes being run in our communities by the Māori Health team.  Nelson maintains a centre of excellence regarding Māori Health. This role will support that journey.

This is a permanent full-time position working 80 hours per fortnight (1.0 FTE), Monday to Friday 8.00AM to 4.30PM.

Please view the position description for further information.

About the Team/Service/ Location

This position is Wairau based. You will be joining a diverse team within Nelson and Wairau hospital who are committed to supporting Hauora/wellbeing for Māori and Pasifika people who access our hospital services.

Our team is focused on integrating Māori and Pacifica perspectives on health and well-being into the care provided at Nelson Hospital, ensuring that patients’ cultural, spiritual, and physical needs are met throughout their healthcare journey.

For more information on living and working in Nelson click here

About you

As Pou Manaaki Te Waka Hauora, you will:

• Have excellent interpersonal skills for networking within the community, whānau and healthcare professionals;
• Work with others in a way that is not prejudice;
• Be a person of integrity, maintain confidentiality and be tactful;
• Handle working under pressure well and have good time management;
• Have experience working with Māori and/or Pacifica organisations.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in New Zealand or hold a valid NZ visa at the time of applying.

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 27 February 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact

Sonja Rae (Recruitment) at sonja.rae@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Sandy McLean-Cooper (Director Nursing and Midwifery) at sandy.mclean-cooper@nmdhb.govt.nz

Job ref: R1N26-016

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

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