Pou Whirinaki

• Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldier’s Hospital, Hospital Group
• Permanent, Full-time 80 hours per fortnight (1 FTE)

Tomo mai e hika, mēna kua waia koe ki te whakarauora ngā Māori o 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.

Our priority is to establish innovative, culturally safe, and Te Tiriti-compliant services as the foundation of quality healthcare delivery.

The Hospital Group is excited to be advertising for the position of Pou Whirinaki (Cultural Advisor Strategist). It is our priority to establish innovative, culturally safe and Te Titiri compliant services as our foundational approach to quality healthcare delivery.

Our values are important pillars to us, and therefore the ability to work with Māori communities, primary care staff, and key stakeholders that is whānau centric is essential and critical to our success. 

The successful applicant will have excellent communication and organisational skills, and a keen understanding of delivering health services and navigating services.

Kua ū te Pōari Hauora o Te Matau a Maui ki ōna Ratonga Hauora Rongonui, ōna Tikanga Tika me nga mātāpono o nga Iwikētanga

About the Role

As Pou Whirinaki, you’ll provide cultural leadership and strategic advice to the Hospital Group Leadership Team, ensuring services are designed and delivered in ways that improve Māori health outcomes and reduce inequities.

You will:

• Lead initiatives grounded in kaupapa Māori models of care.
• Support annual planning and champion cultural development across the organisation.
• Foster a quality-focused, culturally safe service that supports patients and staff.
• Drive transformation through unique models of care and digital enablement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with professional standards, practices, and legislation.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of services in a region highly committed to health equity and excellence.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The Hospital Group at Hawke’s Bay Hospital is committed to delivering safe, equitable, and culturally responsive care. You’ll work alongside senior managers, clinical leaders, and Te Wāhanga Hauora Māori to influence service design and performance improvement initiatives.

Hawke’s Bay offers excellent work-life balance, sun, beaches, exceptional outdoor adventures, great schools, mountains and skiing close by, wonderful food and stunning wineries, vibrant cities and plenty more to boast about, click HERE to take a closer look at what Hawke’s Bay has to offer.

About you

As Pou Whirinaki, you will bring:

• A tertiary qualification and experience in health, education, or social sectors.
• Strong knowledge of kaupapa Māori models of care and mātauranga Māori.
• Proven ability to build mana-enhancing relationships and lead equity-focused initiatives.
• Experience engaging with Māori communities and applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in practice.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship management skills.

This position offers professional development, a supportive team environment, and an opportunity to make a real difference.

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 review the position profile, click HERE To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Dawn Tyler via email on dawn.tyler@hbdhb.govt.nz

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