Chief Advisor Pae Ora

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 168,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Government in Wellington is seeking a Chief Advisor - Pae Ora to influence national health policy, strategy, and system transformation at the highest levels. You will lead strategic leadership and provide expert advice to strengthen policy, strategy and data insights to address health needs, with a focus on improving Māori health outcomes.

Working alongside health sector partners and stakeholders, you will help create programmes, tools and approaches that drive system change to

Qualifications

• Extensive senior leadership experience developing policy, strategy, or programmes that achieve meaningful outcomes for Māori and other population groups.
• Deep understanding of the New Zealand health and disability system, including Māori health priorities, equity challenges, and emerging issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and experience working in partnership with groups to achieve lasting system change.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and systems-thinking skills, with the ability to navigate complexity, create evidence-based advice and provide influential guidance.
• Exceptional relationship management, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills, with experience working across government, the health sector, and Māori communities.

Responsibilities

• provide strategic leadership, expert advice, and thought leadership to address health need
• facilitate initiatives to influence and build organisational capability to address health need
• lead cross-sector work that supports the monitoring, evaluation and delivery of Whiria te Ora, the Māori Health Strategy 2026

Skills

Strategic leadership

Policy development

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Job description

Wellington based | 6 month Fixed Term | Full-time

• Partner with leaders to drive meaningful health outcomes.
• Influence system-wide decisions that improve health equity.
• Midpoint of $186,364, dependent on experience

What you'll do - Ko tōu ake mahi

This is a unique opportunity to influence national health policy, strategy, and system transformation at the highest levels. As Chief Advisor - Pae Ora, you will be part of a team that provides strategic leadership to strengthen policy, strategy and data insights to address health need, particularly to improve Māori health outcomes. Working alongside people leaders, health sector partners and broader stakeholders, you'll help create programmes, tools and approaches that drive system change to advance pae ora (healthy futures).

• provide strategic leadership, expert advice, and thought leadership to address health need
• facilitate initiatives to influence and build organisational capability to address health need
• lead cross-sector work that supports the monitoring, evaluation and delivery of Whiria te Ora, the Māori Health Strategy 2026

What you'll bring - Ko ngā pūkenga ōu

• Extensive senior leadership experience developing policy, strategy, or programmes that achieve meaningful outcomes for Māori and other population groups.
• Deep understanding of the New Zealand health and disability system, including Māori health priorities, equity challenges, and emerging issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and experience working in partnership with groups to achieve lasting system change.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and systems-thinking skills, with the ability to navigate complexity, create evidence-based advice and provide influential guidance.
• Exceptional relationship management, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills, with experience working across government, the health sector, and Māori communities.

About the Ministry

As the Government's lead advisor on health, we help shape the future of New Zealand's health system through policy, regulation and monitoring. Join a team that makes a real difference to the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders while working in a supportive, inclusive environment that values wellbeing, growth and development. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to an accessible and respectful recruitment process.

Applications close Midnight Sunday 25th October 2026.