Policy Advisor

Hapai Te Hauora; Waitakere Ranges; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Hāpai Te Hauora seeks a Māori Public Health Advisor to join our kaupapa Māori public health team in Henderson, Auckland. This fixed-term position (to 30 June 2027) focuses on policy analysis, submissions, and translating evidence into practical policy responses for whānau and Māori communities.

You’ll coordinate policy hui, engage with sector partners, and contribute to policy and advocacy initiatives that advance Māori health equity while honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Qualifications

• Strong written communication and technical writing skills.
• Ability to analyse policy, research and evidence and identify key implications.
• Experience in policy analysis, submissions, advocacy or government engagement.
• Strong relationship-building, communication and organisational skills.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Māori health equity and related factors.
• Competence in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, with ongoing development.
• A tertiary qualification in public health, Māori health, policy, social sciences, law or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience working within Māori public health or kaupapa Māori is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Analyse policy developments, evidence and Māori public health issues.
• Prepare written and oral submissions, policy briefings and technical content.
• Contribute to Hāpai Te Hauora position statements and advocacy mahi.
• Translate evidence and community perspectives into clear policy responses.
• Build relationships with Māori communities, government agencies, public health organisations and sector partners.
• Contribute to policy, evidence, advocacy and Māori public health projects across priority areas.

Skills

Written communication

Policy analysis

Government engagement

Relationship building

Te Tiriti o Waitangi knowledge

Te reo Māori competence

Public health/policy background

Māori health equity understanding

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in public health, Māori health, policy, social sciences, law or related discipline

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.

Henderson, Auckland | Fixed-term to 30 June 2027 | 37.5 hrs/week

Hāpai Te Hauora is seeking a Māori Public Health Advisor to join our kaupapa Māori public health team, contributing to policy and advocacy mahi that strengthens outcomes for whānau and Māori communities across Aotearoa.

This is a hands‑on and varied policy role for someone who enjoys technical writing, engaging with people, and bringing evidence and community perspectives into meaningful mahi.

At its core, this role is about connecting people and policy.

You’ll analyse policy developments, prepare written and oral submissions, contribute to organisational position statements, and help translate complex evidence into clear and practical policy responses.

You’ll also coordinate policy hui, help keep Hāpaitia – our policy platform – current and relevant, and collaborate with Māori communities, public health organisations, government agencies and sector partners.

No two days will necessarily look the same. You could be drafting a submission, researching an emerging policy issue, engaging with sector partners, or helping ensure the aspirations of whānau, hapū and iwi are represented in relevant decision‑making spaces.

Analysing policy developments, evidence and emerging Māori public health issues

Preparing written and oral submissions, policy briefings and other technical content

Contributing to Hāpai Te Hauora’s position statements and advocacy mahi

Translating evidence and community perspectives into clear, accessible policy responses

Building effective relationships with Māori communities, government agencies, public health organisations and sector partners

Contributing to policy, evidence, advocacy and Māori public health projects across Hāpai Te Hauora’s priority areas

We’re keen to hear from people who bring:

• Strong written communication and technical writing skills
• Ability to analyse policy, research and evidence and identify key implications
• Experience in policy analysis, submissions, advocacy or government engagement
• Strong relationship‑building, communication and organisational skills
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Māori health equity and the factors influencing Māori health
• Competence in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, with a commitment to continued development
• A relevant tertiary qualification in public health, Māori health, policy, social sciences, law, political studies or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience working within Māori public health, kaupapa Māori, health or community settings would be an advantage.

Our kaupapa is guided by Oranga Tangata, Oranga Whenua – recognising the inseparable relationship between people and whenua – and grounded in whanaungatanga, cultural integrity and collective accountability. When you join Hāpai, you become part of a whānau that embeds kaupapa Māori values in everyday mahi, champions Māori‑led innovation and systems change, and supports the development of all kaimahi.

If you’re a strong communicator who wants your mahi to make a meaningful difference for whānau and Māori communities, we’d love to hear from you.

All applicants must have NZ residency or a valid work visa. We do not accept applications from recruitment agencies.