Research Officer PreHab

• Hamilton or Auckland
• Fixed-term, part- time [0.8 FTE - 32 hours per week]
• Job sharing flexibility, i.e. could be 2 positions, each 0.4 FTE
• 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 at Māori Health Services at Waikato Hospital working on the programme Whiria te Aka Matua: A new holistic model of care for early breast cancer. The role includes mahi that occurs in both Waikato and Tamaki Makaurau, so we are happy to accept applications from either region or surrounding areas.

Te kaupapa

There are areas for improvement in breast cancer (BC) care that can increase Māori wellbeing and reduce BC’s contribution to health inequities. BC is the third leading cause of death for wāhine Māori (Māori women) in Aotearoa New Zealand, and results in more lost disability-adjusted life years than any other type of cancer. The symptomatic BC (SBC) pathway is not standardised and poses multiple barriers for wāhine, who experience 37% lower survival than non-Māori. The pathway is not structured to enhance holistic wellbeing for women or maximise health gain for their whānau (families).

Te Rangahau

Using a Kaupapa Māori methodology and the He Pikinga Waiora implementation science framework, our project is co-designing and testing the BC Whiri model of care to enhance wellbeing, timeliness and quality of care for wāhine Māori with a potential diagnosis of BC and to enhance wellbeing for their whānau.

Te mahi

This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in supporting new ways of working in the health system, to address inequities using the Whiri model of care for whānau in the study. 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 support research activities that support the whole programme but the focus will be mainly on the whenu Tawa (strand/arm) for the co-design and feasibility test of the prehabilitation intervention.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• Qualitative interviews and wānanga with patients/whānau, clinical staff, community and other stakeholders
• Co-design of the prehabilitation intervention using an iterative continuous quality improvement process
• Support feasibility test of the co-designed intervention; including interviews with staff and participants and analysis of pilot data for evaluation

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team/Service

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 Bachelor’s level or above
• Track record of having undertaken qualitative research, including demonstrated experience in conducting interviews or surveys or co-design
• 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

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 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 Friday, 22 May 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Rachael Devey at Rachael.Devey@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

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