Research Officer

• Waikato Hospital, Hamilton; full time (40 hours/week), fixed-term for 12 months
  • After 12-months there is an option to extend for 3 more years (total 4-year role)

• Join new ways of working to address inequities in the health system
• Make a positive difference for Māori whānau and improving health outcomes
• Gain experience working within a successful research and operational teams

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

Our research team is seeking an experienced Research Officer to join our Māori Health research team here at Māori Health Services at Waikato Hospital working on our project ‘Changing dietetic care in Te Whatu Ora using a kaupapa Māori approach’.

Te kaupapa

Current dietetic practice is largely grounded in Western biomedical models that fail to recognise or reflect Māori worldviews, collective approaches to wellbeing, and the broader political, social and cultural determinants of health. This disconnection — combined with limited cultural safety, workforce under representation, and models of care that are not fit for purpose — contributes to poor access, low engagement, and suboptimal outcomes among population groups with the highest need. There is a clear and urgent need to redesign dietetic care in ways that centre whānau voices, uphold Māori self-determination, and deliver culturally responsive, equitable care across health settings.

Te Rangahau

Using a Kaupapa Māori methodology and the He Pikinga Waiora implementation science framework, our project aim is to To co-design, test, evaluate, promote, and drive implementation of a Kaupapa Māori led model of dietetic care (MoC), that centers patient and whānau voices and enables culturally responsive, effective, and equitable dietetic care for all whānau and patients, particularly those who have been historically underserved.

Te mahi

This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in supporting new ways of working in the health system, to address inequities. This programme of work will embrace Mātauranga Māori and Te Ao Māori in order to be effective for our Māori communities and fulfil our Te Tiriti obligations.

Day to day: You will conduct research activities that support the whole project but the focus will be mainly across three of the phases for co-design and then support the pilot and evaluation of the intervention in the Waikato region.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• Compile and synthesise the evidence to map the current dietetic care pathways in Aotearoa
• qualitative interviews and wānanga with patients/whānau, clinical staff, community and other stakeholders
• co-design of the MoC using an iterative continuous quality improvement process
• support the research investigators to develop the implementation kete and workforce training resources
• support pilot of intervention activities
• conduct evaluation of the project; including interviews with staff and participants and analysis of pilot data for evaluation

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team

Our team is the Māori Health Rangahau/Research team, part of Te Puna Oranga (Māori Health Service) at Waikato Hospital. Our goals are:

• Engaging in Kaupapa Māori research & evaluation
• Contributing towards opportunities for funding & scholarships
• Support & linking in Māori & Indigenous research and networks
• Building workforce development
• Developing innovative solutions based on research

About you

As a Research Officer to be considered for the role you’ll need:

• Tertiary degree in a health-related field or equivalent experience in the health sector (3+ years), or research to Master’s level or above. 
• Track record of having undertaken qualitative research, including demonstrated experience in conducting interviews or surveys or co-design
• Track record in evidence synthesis and written communication, such as publications or reports that translate research into practice-relevant insights
• Empathy, ability and confidence to engage with people from a range of backgrounds.
• Understanding of Tikanga Māori, Te Ao Māori and Mātauranga Māori and the ability to engage appropriately in Māori settings
• High level of relationship management skills as the role works across multiple whenu/strands of the programme
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

How to Apply

To apply please click “Apply online” or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here.All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal before 11:59 pm on 21 June 2026 If you have any questions about the role, please contact Rachael Devey at Rachael.Devey@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz or Dr Amy Jones at amy.jones@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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