Head of Hauora Māori & Cultural Safety

Head of Hauora Māori & Cultural Safety

National Support Office

Mō te Tūranga | About the Role

Make a lasting impact on healthcare outcomes for Māori and Pacific Peoples across Aotearoa. As our Head of Hauora Māori & Cultural Safety, you will lead Southern Cross Healthcare’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Hauora Māori, cultural safety and health equity, ensuring Māori and Pacific worldviews, values and models of health are meaningfully embedded across our clinical practice, workforce, patient experience and organisational approach. You will take stewardship of our existing Hauora Māori strategy, maintaining momentum against agreed priorities and measures while supporting our hospitals, committees and teams to bring the strategy to life locally. You will also help evolve our approach to external Māori engagement, strengthening trusted relationships and deepening our connections across the health sector and wider community.

As a trusted advisor to our Executive Leadership Team, Board and senior leaders, you will bring strong healthcare knowledge and credibility to influence decision-making and translate Hauora Māori, equity and cultural safety into meaningful clinical practice and patient outcomes. Working alongside clinical and hospital leaders, you will provide practical leadership to support culturally safe care and our obligations under Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard, while championing improvements in Māori and Pacific health outcomes. At the heart of the role is whanaungatanga – connection, trust and meaningful change. You will build authentic partnerships with mana whenua, iwi, Māori health providers, Pacific communities and key stakeholders, strengthen cultural capability across our nationwide network, lead and develop our cultural support team, and help grow Māori and Pacific representation across our workforce – creating lasting impact for our people, kiritaki, whānau and communities. This is a 4 days per week permanent position. Preferred location is Auckland, however other locations will be considered.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• A clinical qualification and/or significant depth of experience within healthcare is essential, with a strong understanding of healthcare environments, clinical practice and models of care.
• A postgraduate qualification in Māori language and culture, Hauora Māori, health equity, or a related field.
• A tertiary qualification in nursing and/or competency in Te Reo Māori would be highly desirable.
• At least 7 years’ senior-level experience within healthcare or another relevant complex environment.
• Deep knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Hauora Māori, cultural safety and health equity, and the ability to translate these into meaningful clinical and organisational practice.
• Strong knowledge of Māori health models alongside an understanding of Pacific health frameworks.
• The healthcare credibility to confidently engage with clinical leaders, healthcare professionals and external health sector stakeholders on complex Hauora Māori, equity and cultural safety matters.
• Proven ability to build authentic, trusted relationships with iwi, hapū, whānau, Māori and Pacific communities and diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional judgement, maturity and cultural intelligence, with the ability to navigate complex and deeply felt issues and bring a thoughtful, considered approach.
• Strong strategic leadership and influencing capability, with the confidence to respectfully challenge, translate between different perspectives and build trust from frontline teams through to executive and governance level.
• Strong critical and analytical thinking, with the ability to use research, evidence, data and insights to inform decisions and evaluate outcomes.
• Exceptional facilitation, coaching and capability-building skills that enable others to confidently lead and embed change.
• The ability to prioritise and manage a broad, complex portfolio, balancing planned priorities with emerging issues and opportunities.
• A resilient, reflective and solutions-focused leadership style, with the adaptability to turn strategy into meaningful and sustainable action.

Ngā mea ka taea e mātou te tuku I a koe | What we can offer you:

• Competitive Rewards: Attractive remuneration package, relocation allowance, and employee referral bonus scheme.
• Health & Wellbeing: Funded health insurance, a comprehensive wellbeing programme, and generous Christmas/New Year breaks.
• Flexibility & Growth: Flexible working arrangements and a Nursing Council of New Zealand-approved PDRP.
• Perks & Community: Discounts from a range of partners and the opportunity to join our Employee Network.

Ko wai matou | Our Organisation

At Southern Cross Healthcare, our purpose is clear: to advance quality healthcare across Aotearoa New Zealand. Our values shape everything we do:

• Care First – We lead with compassion, delivering care that’s deeply human through genuine manaakitanga.
• Better Together – Collaboration is our strength. We unite diverse skills and perspectives to create better outcomes for all.
• Pursue Excellence – We strive to improve, innovate, and excel every day—never settling, always aiming to deliver our best.

We’re proud to bring together over 4,000 skilled professionals—including 2,000 nurses and anaesthetic technicians—working alongside more than 1,200 specialists, surgeons, anaesthetists, and allied health experts. Together, we’re one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest and most trusted healthcare providers.

Driven by a strong ‘for purpose’ ethos, we think beyond financial quarters—planning for generations to come.

Tō mātou whakahaere ki te tika, te rerekētanga, me te whai wāhi mai | Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and foster a culturally safe environment that reflects manaakitanga and values the unique perspectives of our people. Our core value, Better Together, guides our goal to build a workforce that mirrors the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand.

If you have specific needs or would like to discuss how we can support you, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at careers@schl.co.nz for a confidential conversation.

Haere mai, ā, mā te mahi tahi ka whai wāhi ki tētahi mea whai take, ka āwhina i ngā tāngata ki te whai oranga mā te whakaaro anō ki te tautiaki hauora

Join us, and together, each of us can be part of something important, helping people live their best lives by reimagining healthcare.