Health Improvement Practitioner (Pouora)

Health Hawkes Bay; Napier; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Health Hawke’s Bay – Te Oranga Hawke’s Bay is seeking a dynamic Health Improvement Practitioner to join our innovative team in Napier. The role provides behavioural health interventions within general practice and offers full-time hours in a supportive PHO environment.

You will deliver half-hour sessions, may run group sessions for insomnia, anxiety, or cardiovascular concerns, and must hold NZ registration with relevant accreditation.

Qualifications

• Registered health professional with NZ licensure (HPCA, DAPAANZ, OTRB, NCNZ, NZAC, SWRB). Te Whatu Ora accreditation is also required for some applicants.
• Experience delivering behavioural health interventions within primary care or general practice.

Responsibilities

• Deliver behavioural health interventions within general practice settings.
• Provide half-hour HIP sessions and group sessions for insomnia, anxiety, cardiovascular disease and related conditions.
• Collaborate with general practice teams to support holistic health outcomes for Māori and underserved populations.
• Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional development as part of a transformational care model.

Skills

Registered health professional

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Health Hawke’s Bay – Te Oranga Hawke’s Bay is looking for a dynamic Health Improvement Practitioner to join our innovative and progressive team providing behavioural health interventions within general practice.

We currently have a full time HIP opportunity based in Napier

Health Hawke’s Bay – Te Oranga o Te Matau-a-Māui is an established Primary Health Organisation (PHO), within the Hawkes Bay. We work in partnership with General Practices to improve health outcomes and life expectancy across Hawke’s Bay, particularly for Māori and other under-served groups. Our mahi focuses on supporting communities, whānau and providers to achieve sustainable health gains, and equitable health outcomes.

At Health Hawke's Bay, we're more than just a workplace; we're a whānau committed to supporting each other on our Te Ao Māori journey. Our culture fosters inclusion, respect, and growth, empowering every individual to thrive professionally and personally.

Underpinning our mahi and everything we do are our values Whakamana (Empower), Aroha (Compassion), Kotahitanga (Collaboration) and Auaha (Innovation).

Health Improvement Practitioners | Pouora are an emerging workforce in New Zealand.

A Pouora is a registered practitioner based within general practice teams to deliver behavioural health interventions. Pouora work directly with individuals and their families to help improve their overall mental and physical health and wellbeing and provide consultation and advice to other members of the general practice team.

As a Pouora you provide half hourly sessions with people experiencing any thoughts, feelings or behaviours that are impacting their overall wellbeing. Pouora need to be a generalist in approach to supporting people with their health and wellbeing concerns. Pouora can also provide group sessions for a range of issues of such as insomnia, gout, anxiety, or cardiovascular disease.

To find out more about the Pouora (HIP) role check out this videohttps://vimeo.com/413775821

You will be a fully registered health professional with one of the following authorities:Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act (HPCA), DAPAANZ, OTRB, NCNZ, NZAC, or the Social Work Registration Board (SWRB). Te Whatu Ora accreditation is also required for applicants who hold NZAC full registration. It is essential that you have clinical experience providing evidence-based behavioural intervention and use reflective practice as a tool for growth and development.

In this role you will be making a significant impact of the health and wellbeing within the community, whilst enjoying the opportunity to work as part of an innovative and dynamic team providing holistic health interventions. You will have an abundance of opportunity to use your skills and experience within a transformational model of care.

In addition you will also need to:

Be willing to embrace tikangaMāori

Have a good understanding of and able to deliver talking therapy modalities for example FACT, ACT, CBT

Haveorganisational and time management skills

Learn quickly and be able to adapt to ever changing situations

Be self motivated and experienced in practicing autonomously

Be open to change and motivated to implement new ways of working

Be an excellent communicator and work in a collaborative, respectful, supportive, and sensitive way

Hold a current full New Zealand Driver’s Licence

You will have a genuine interest in improving health outcomes for Māori and other underserved populations in our community, as well as a desire to understand and implement Māori models of care.

If you are the successful candidate, you will be required to undertake our mandatory training via Te Pou over a period of six months in order to be fully endorsed as a HIP (Pouora).

Health Hawkes Bay welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We strive to have diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, including,Māori, Pacific people, people with disabilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people, and people 18 years and older.

We believe in building an inclusive workforce that sees human difference as a strength and supports our vision for an inclusive Aotearoa.

Ngā Paearu | The box-ticking stuff

Only applicants that are fully registered health professionals will be considered.

Only applicants with the right to work in New Zealand should apply for this role.

Applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Conviction Check. You will need to satisfactorily meet safety checking requirements as per the vulnerable Children’s Act 2014.

Applicants must have a clean and full driver’s license.

For further information about Health Hawkes Bay, please follow us on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Health-Hawkes-Bay or view our websitehttps://healthhb.co.nz/

The closing date for applications is 10pm Sunday, 20th September 2026.