Pou Whakaturuki Executive Assistant

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Taranaki; Taranaki; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Taranaki is seeking a Pou Whakaturuki Executive Assistant in New Plymouth, Taranaki. The role is full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hours per week) and focuses on keeping the directorate well-organised, responsive and on track with priorities.

You will manage diaries, prepare agendas, take minutes and maintain action registers while supporting Pouwhakahaere and the wider directorate. Strong Microsoft 365 skills and respectful relationships with whānau and partners are

Qualifications

• Proven administration or executive support experience with the ability to manage competing deadlines and a busy diary.
• Strong MS 365 skills including email, documents, spreadsheets and filing.
• Ability to coordinate meetings, prepare agendas, record minutes and track actions.

Responsibilities

• Manage diary commitments and meeting requests, prepare agendas and correspondence.
• Organise hui and travel, take accurate minutes and maintain action registers.
• Support directorate inboxes and referral processes; ensure information is easy to find and responses are timely.

Skills

Executive support

Diary management

Written communication

Attention to detail

Discretion

Tools

Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

SharePoint/OneDrive

Job description

Pou Whakaturuki Executive Assistant New Plymouth, Taranaki Full-time | 1.0 FTE, 40 hours per week

Enjoy a well-run calendar, a clear inbox and minutes people actually use? Here is an opportunity to make those skills count. As Pou Whakarite, you will help keep Te Pā Harakeke organised, prepared and responsive so the directorate spends more time delivering for whānau Māori. At Te Pā Harakeke, our vision is Together we ensure our MOKOPUNA inherit a better tomorrow. Good coordination helps us follow through on that commitment, from the meetings we prepare to the actions we complete. You will work closely with Pouwhakahaere, the Chief Māori Health and Equity Officer, and support the wider directorate. Your contribution will be visible in the details: deadlines met, decisions recorded, information easy to find and enquiries reaching the right person without unnecessary delay. Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and committed to a health system that works for all.

About the role

This is a trusted administrative and coordination role. You will manage diary commitments and meeting requests, prepare agendas and correspondence, organise hui and travel, take accurate minutes, maintain action registers and follow up with the people responsible. You will help Pouwhakahaere stay focused on priorities while keeping colleagues informed and work moving. You will keep shared files, records and documents organised, with clear naming and version control. You will use Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint or OneDrive. You will also support directorate inboxes, agreed referral processes and Whaiora accommodation administration.

About the team, service, and location

You will join Te Pā Harakeke, the Māori Health and Equity Directorate, and work across its Māori health and equity, whānau experience and Pou Hāpai functions. You will work directly with Pouwhakahaere and alongside the Pou Manukura, kaimahi and partners across the health system. Based in New Plymouth, you will be part of a directorate focused on meaningful improvement for whānau Māori in Taranaki. This role is about bringing order to busy work, responding well to people and following through on commitments.

About you

Proven administration or executive support experience, with confidence managing competing deadlines and a busy diary. Strong Microsoft 365 skills, including shared inboxes, professional documents, spreadsheets and organised digital filing systems. Ability to coordinate meetings, prepare clear agendas, record accurate minutes promptly and track actions through to completion. Excellent written communication, attention to detail, discretion and sound judgement when handling sensitive information. Initiative, calm organisation and respectful relationships with whānau, iwi partners and colleagues, supported by an understanding of tikanga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

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 serve our communities.

We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled and rainbow communities.

Applications close Monday 16th November 2026.

For questions about the role, contact Tamati Neho, Chief Māori Health and Equity Officer, at [e-mail]

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and recruitment may progress before the closing date.