Chief Nurse – Te Tai Tokerau
- Lead nursing excellence and help shape the future of healthcare in Te Tai Tokerau
- Based at Whangārei Hospital, Te Tai Tokerau – Northland
- Permanent, full-time position
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
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking an outstanding Chief Nurse to provide visionary clinical and professional leadership across the Te Tai Tokerau district. This is a pivotal leadership role, shaping safe, equitable and high‑quality health services for our communities, whilst inspiring nursing kaimahi across the district.
As a key member of the district senior leadership team, the Chief Nurse works closely with the Group Director of Operations and partners with clinical and professional leaders to ensure the nursing voice is present at every level of decision‑making — both locally and across the region.
The role provides an exciting opportunity to lead change and improvement for nursing across Te Tai Tokerau Northland with a focus on Health NZ provided hospital and specialist services. Health NZ - Te Tai Tokerau provides health services to a diverse population of more than 200,000 people and employs around 3,300 FTE with approximately 1,600 FTE nursing and healthcare assistants.
This role offers the scope and influence to:
- Lead and inspire nursing and health care assistants across hospital, community and mental health services.
- Drive clinical excellence, patient safety and experience, and ensure robust clinical governance is in place.
- Shape sustainable, innovative models of care that reduce unwarranted variation and improve equity.
- Champion Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Pae Ora and equity‑focused system change.
- Balance long-term strategic goals with operational reality.
- Grow future nursing leaders and strengthen education, research and advanced practice.
- Contribute to regional and national portfolios within Health New Zealand.
You will be trusted to lead in complexity — balancing professional leadership, workforce sustainability, quality, financial stewardship and system‑wide collaboration.
To view the full position description for this role, Click here
About you
You are a highly respected senior nursing leader with the credibility, courage and capability to lead at scale.
You will bring:
- Extensive senior leadership experience, ideally across complex health systems.
- A strong track record in quality improvement, patient safety, service planning and workforce strategy.
- Proven ability to lead through change and ambiguity with clarity and compassion.
- Deep understanding of equity, Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, and culturally safe practice.
- Financial and operational acumen, including resource and budget oversight.
- The ability to influence, partner and lead across professional, organisational and community boundaries.
- The ability to develop strong professional networks and build relationships.
- A willingness to get involved, challenge traditional ways of working, and bring fresh ideas.
Working in Te Tai Tokerau
Te Tai Tokerau offers a unique opportunity to lead meaningful health transformation in partnership with iwi, hapū, communities and clinicians. You’ll be part of a system committed to equity, innovation and better outcomes — while enjoying the lifestyle, connection and natural beauty of Northland.
Our main hospital site is located in Whangārei (where this role will be based), with three non-urban hospital in Dargaville, Bay of Islands and Kaitaia and multiple clinical sites across the district.
Te Tai Tokerau offers a chance to drive large-scale change while staying connected with clinical and operational teams.
It would suit somebody stepping into a Chief Nurse role from a senior leadership position or wishing to work in a larger organisation with urban and rural communities.
For more information on living and working in Northland, click here
Working at Health New Zealand
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa 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 11th March 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Michelle Apetera at nl-jobs@tewhatuora.govt.nz.
We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.
