District Chief Nurse, Counties Manukau

• Contribute to transforming the future of health in this pivotal role as the District Chief Nurse
• Permanent full time Monday to Friday
• Counties Manukau District based at Middlemore Hospital

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we’re building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the Role

The District Chief Nurse is a senior leadership role that is responsible for providing strong, visible, professional and clinical leadership, and to motivate and inspire nursing colleagues and the wider health workforce. Part of the local district leadership team, the District Chief Nurse has a critical position in providing and demonstrating leadership including accountability for managing health resources, championing patient experience and the Code of Consumer Expectations. They will empower nursing to deliver high quality patient and whānau care. The role will role model interprofessional working and lead the development of advanced and extended practice which support alternative service delivery models, taking a whole of system approach to alternative models of care.

This is an ideal opportunity for a senior nurse with relevant leadership experience to step into.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The District Chief Nurse is a senior clinical leadership role based within the district. Reporting directly to the Group Director of Operations (GDO) with a dotted professional line to the National Chief Nurse.

About you

The ideal candidate should be a dynamic senior leader with relevant experience within the New Zealand Public Sector. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to negotiate, resolve conflict and positively influence and motivate others. You will be a problem solver and system thinker who can effectively mitigate a wide range of risks and issues. You work in a collegial manner and have the desire to work with others to achieve results and share knowledge and expertise to support the growth of the team.

• Minimum qualification is a Master Degree in Nursing, Public Administration, Health Management or equivalent, or demonstrate that you are working towards.
• A registered nurse with extensive experience in and knowledge of the health sector
• At least 5 years’ clinical leadership experience with evidence of ongoing personal, professional and leadership development.
• Experience in leading quality improvement initiatives, risk management, change management, and knowledge of clinical quality and best practice.
• Proven ability to provide professional advice to team members in relation to clinical and operational skills and practice
• Demonstrated ability to oversee the clinical practice of team members to ensure the needs of both patients and Te Whatu Ora are met.

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora means ‘the weaving of wellness’. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

• We want to see the real you in your application and welcome the authentic you on board if you come and work with us. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just in formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the ad, but the experience was gained through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.
• We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

Apply now at https://careers.countiesmanukau.health.nz/working-here/. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on 14th June 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Tangi Namulauulu at Tangi.Namulauulu@middlemore.co.nz

Closing Date: 14th June 2026