Consumer Engagement Lead

• Consumer Engagement Lead । Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldier’s Hospital
• Permanent, Part-Time । 64 hours per fortnight (0.8 FTE)
• This is a unique opportunity to shape how consumers and whānau influence health service design, delivery and improvement across Te Matau a Māui.

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

Working collaboratively with district leadership teams, consumer networks, iwi, and community organisations, you will strengthen engagement across all levels to ensure services are truly person- and whānau-centred.

You will work closely with clinical teams across the organisation to ensure:

• we uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.
• that staff have the knowledge and skills to co-design with consumers and district teams to embed co-design and equity principles.
• consumer feedback is sought and used to inform improvements.
• our services are aligned with regional and national strategy, and Pae Ora reforms.
• ensure district-level consumer engagement plans are developed, implemented, and monitored in alignment with regional and national strategy.

Please click here to view the position description

About the Team/Service/ Location

You’ll join the Patient Safety and Quality Service - a collaborative, values‑driven team committed to delivering safer, more equitable and more responsive care. The service works closely with clinical governance groups, Māori and Pacific health partners, engagement champions and operational leaders across the district.

Externally, you will regularly engage with iwi and community organisations, consumer networks, HQSC, the Ministry of Health, Regional Consumer Council, primary and aged‑care providers, advocacy groups and other partners who contribute to improving consumer experience. This role sits at the heart of our shift toward culturally grounded, whānau‑centred engagement and system improvement.

For more information on living and working in Hawke’s Bay click HERE

About you

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• Experience of working in a complex health environment with clinical and non-clinical staff
• Effective relationship management skills with the ability to influence at all levels
• Experience in building organisational capability for consumer engagement, including familiarity with digital engagement tools and analytics
• Most importantly, have an energetic drive and passion to champion consumer and whānau voices in shaping safe, equitable, and culturally responsive health services.

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 3^rd March 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Susan Barnes । 027 4596 418 – Informal discussions are welcome.

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.