Service Manager, Mental Health & Addictions Rural Adult and Older People

• Permanent, full-time role working across Te Tai Tokerau with a focus on delivering rural services in Mental Health and Addiction
• Lead meaningful change. Influence service delivery. Make a difference for Te Tai Tokerau communities.
• A collaborative environment working alongside experienced clinical and operational leaders, all while enjoying the lifestyle benefits of living and working in beautiful Te Tai Tokerau

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 the Service Manager Rural Adult and Older Persons Mental Health and Addiction services, you will provide operational leadership across a portfolio of mental health and addiction services within Te Tai Tokerau. Working in partnership with the General Manager, Clinical Director, Clinical Head of Department Director of Nursing Mental Health and Addiction, Professional Leaders, Lived Experience, Cultural Advisors and multidisciplinary teams, you will support the delivery of safe, effective, equitable and sustainable services that place tangata whaiora and whānau at the centre of care.

This is a highly visible leadership role where you will drive service performance, workforce development, quality improvement, and strategic initiatives while ensuring services meet clinical, operational, financial and organisational objectives. You will champion Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, actively support reducing health inequities, and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement across the directorate.

Travel across the district will be required the successful person needs to be located or prepared to locate to one of the rural locations be that either Kaipara, Mid North or Far North of Te Tai Tokerau.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team/Service/Location

Our Mental Health and Addiction Services provides a wide range of specialist services to communities across Te Tai Tokerau. We are committed to delivering person-centre, culturally responsive care and achieving equitable outcomes for Māori, whānau and all people who access our services.

The Service Manager role has operational responsibility for the three rural community Mental Health and Addiction Teams service Adults and Older People based in Dargaville, Kaikohe, and Kaitaia alongside Timatanga Hou – Northlands 8 bedded AOD detoxification unit .

Based in Northland, you’ll enjoy working alongside passionate clinical and operational leaders while contributing to service delivery across rural communities.

For more information on living and working in Northland click here

About you

As an experienced operational leader, you will bring a strong track record of managing complex services, leading high-performing teams, and delivering sustainable service improvements within large organisations.

You will have:

• Proven experience in a senior service or operational management role within a large and complex organisation, ideally within health services
• Demonstrated ability to lead service performance, manage risk, and deliver outcomes within budget and operational targets
• Strong understanding of clinical service delivery and experience leading multidisciplinary teams through change and improvement initiatives
• Knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to improving equitable health outcomes for Māori and other priority populations
• A relevant tertiary qualification in health, leadership, management or equivalent experience, alongside excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills

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 2 August 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Michelle Apetera at NL-Jobs@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

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