Nurse Director - Community & Rural Health

• Hamilton, Waikato
• Permanent, full-time – 80 hours/fortnight
• Shape service planning and delivery, improve patient experiences and support the future direction of Community and Rural Health Services.

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 Nurse Director, you will work collaboratively with clinical, operational and executive partners to shape service delivery, improve patient experiences and support the future direction of Community and Rural Health Services. You will provide professional nursing leadership, mentor emerging leaders and promote a culture of clinical excellence, innovation and continuous improvement.

You will work in partnership with operational, medical and allied, scientific and technical leads to support delivery of safe, high-quality, evidence-based nursing and multidisciplinary care while driving service planning, transformation and improvement initiatives. You will champion patient experience, equity and access; lead workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning and staff development; and ensure effective governance, quality improvement, patient safety and risk management.

The role will include building strong partnerships with operational and clinical leaders across the community and rural health workforce.

Key responsibilities:

• Workforce Leadership: Lead district-wide nursing workforce governance, driving safe patient care, workforce sustainability and future workforce planning.
• Practice Excellence: Provide strategic leadership for innovative, evidence-informed models of care that respond to population health needs and service priorities.
• Quality & Safety: Champion nursing quality governance to improve clinical outcomes, patient safety and care experience.
• Equity & Te Tiriti: Advance Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments, cultural safety and equitable health outcomes through nursing leadership and capability development.
• Strategic & Operational Leadership: Provide professional guidance that strengthens nursing performance, workforce capability and service delivery across the Waikato District and within the Te Manawa Taki region.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team/Service

Community and Rural Health delivers a wide range of hospital and community-based healthcare services across the Waikato region. Our services encompass Thames, Tokoroa, Te Kūiti and Taumarunui hospitals, together with District Nursing, Allied Health, Oral Health, Sexual Health and Screening services.

Our diverse team of leaders, clinicians and support staff is united by a shared commitment to improving health outcomes and delivering equitable, high-quality care for the patients, whānau and communities we serve. Through our network of rural hospitals and community-based services, we provide essential healthcare close to home for communities across the Waikato region.

About Waikato

The Waikato region is a dynamic mix of stunning scenery and cultural richness, providing a variety of experiences for every age. Whether you're catching epic surf, discovering breath taking underground wonders, or immersing yourself in the magic of a famous movie landscape, there's something for everyone to enjoy. 

About Hamilton

Waikato Hospital is a major regional hospital in Hamilton and is a leading tertiary teaching hospital located in Hamilton, New Zealand, serving as the regional hub for the Midland area, which includes the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairawhiti, and Taranaki districts. With around 722 inpatient beds, 22 operating theatres, and a dedicated outpatient clinic and procedure centre, Waikato Hospital provides comprehensive hospital services, including radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy. As a major teaching hospital with affiliations to the University of Auckland, University of Waikato, and Wintec, it offers a dynamic learning environment and access to research opportunities. The hospital is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities located on the Waiora Waikato Hospital Campus, with both road and air ambulance support.

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here

About you

You are an influential nursing leader who is passionate about improving care for patients, whānau, and communities. You combine strategic thinking with operational excellence, inspire high-performing teams, and champion quality, equity, and innovation across complex healthcare environments.

You will bring:

• Registration as a Registered Nurse with a current Annual Practising Certificate and a relevant post graduate qualification
• Significant senior leadership experience in community and rural health services or another complex healthcare environment
• Demonstrated success leading service improvement, quality, safety, and workforce development initiatives.
• Strong strategic, operational, and financial management capability.
• Experience building effective partnerships across clinical, operational, and executive leadership teams.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, health equity, and improving outcomes for patients, whānau, and communities.
• The ability to lead change, influence across diverse stakeholder groups, and foster a culture of clinical excellence and continuous improvement.

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” or apply via our Waikato Careers website.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal before 11:59 pm on Monday, 16 November 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Kendra Corey at Kendra.Corey@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

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