Deputy Chief Nurse - Safe Staffing

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking a Deputy Chief Nurse to influence system-wide improvements in quality, equity, and workforce sustainability across the Waikato District. You will provide professional leadership to a large nursing workforce, partnering with the Chief Nurse to strengthen governance, safe staffing, and innovative models of care.

You will collaborate across clinical, operational and leadership teams to advance nursing excellence and develop a high-performing,

Qualifications

• Must be a Registered Nurse with current Annual Practising Certificate.
• Master's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• Proven senior nursing leadership experience guiding strategy and organisation-wide change.
• Demonstrated expertise in professional nursing governance and quality improvement.
• Strong track record in advancing Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity outcomes.
• Experience leading safe staffing and implementing innovative care models.

Responsibilities

• Lead district-wide nursing governance and safe staffing.
• Provide strategic leadership for models of care responding to population health needs.
• Champion nursing quality governance to improve outcomes and patient safety.
• Advance Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments and equity through leadership.
• Offer professional and operational guidance to strengthen nursing performance and service delivery across Waikato.

Skills

Leadership

Nursing governance

Quality improvement

Workforce sustainability

Bicultural partnerships

Staffing initiatives

Education

Registered Nurse (RN) with APC

Master's degree

Job description

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 a Deputy Chief Nurse, you will influence system-wide improvement in quality, equity, workforce sustainability and models of care, while providing professional leadership to one of New Zealand's largest nursing workforces. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of patients, whānau, communities and the nursing profession.

You will partner with the Chief Nurse to provide strategic and professional leadership for nursing across the Waikato District. You will lead nursing governance, workforce sustainability, safe staffing, quality and equity initiatives, while shaping innovative models of care that improve outcomes for patients, whānau and communities. Working collaboratively across clinical, operational and leadership teams, you will strengthen nursing excellence and enable a high-performing, future-focused nursing workforce.

Key responsibilities:

• Workforce Leadership: Lead district-wide nursing workforce governance, driving safe staffing, workforce sustainability and future workforce planning.
• Practice Excellence: Provide strategic leadership for innovative, evidence-informed models of care that respond to population health needs and service priorities.
• Quality & Safety: Champion nursing quality governance to improve clinical outcomes, patient safety and care experience.
• Equity & Te Tiriti: Advance Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments, cultural safety and equitable health outcomes through nursing leadership and capability development.
• Strategic & Operational Leadership: Provide professional and operational guidance that strengthens nursing performance, workforce capability and service delivery across the Waikato District.

About the Team or Service

The Nursing Directorate comprises three Deputy Chief Nurses with district-wide strategic portfolios and six Nurse Directors providing leadership across clinical service directorates. Together, they provide integrated professional, clinical and operational leadership for approximately 4,300 nurses, delivering strong nursing governance and advancing quality, equity, workforce sustainability and care excellence across the Waikato District.

About Hamilton

Waikato Hospital is a major regional hospital in Hamilton and is a leading tertiary teaching hospital located in Hamilton, New Zealand, serving as the regional hub for the Midland area, which includes the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairawhiti, and Taranaki districts. With around 722 inpatient beds, 22 operating theatres, and a dedicated outpatient clinic and procedure centre, Waikato Hospital provides comprehensive hospital services, including radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy. As a major teaching hospital with affiliations to the University of Auckland, University of Waikato, and Wintec, it offers a dynamic learning environment and access to research opportunities. The hospital is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities located on the Waiora Waikato Hospital Campus, with both road and air ambulance support.

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

About you

You are an experienced and influential nursing leader with a passion for advancing quality, equity and workforce excellence across a complex health system.

You will bring:

• Registration as a Registered Nurse with a current Annual Practising Certificate and a relevant Master's degree.
• Extensive senior nursing leadership experience, with a proven ability to lead strategic initiatives and organisation-wide change.
• Demonstrated expertise in professional nursing governance, quality improvement and workforce sustainability.
• Strong track record in building effective bicultural partnerships and advancing Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity outcomes.
• Experience leading safe staffing initiatives, implementing innovative models of care, and translating strategy into measurable outcomes.

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.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on Thursday, 22 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Kendra Corey at [e-mail]

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