National Māori Health & Equity Cultural Advisor

Company Description

Ko wai mātou - About us:

Hato Hone St John has been serving New Zealanders since 1885. Today, we have nearly 12,000 kaimahi working across Aotearoa to enhance the health and wellbeing of our communities. From responding to 111 calls to supporting people to stay healthy through health education, access and monitoring, we make a life-changing difference every day.

Job Description

He aha te tūranga - About the role:

Our Kāhui Mauaka team are responsible for leading Hato Hone St John’s organisation-wide approach to Māori cultural capability and cultural safety. They provide strategic cultural advice to Hato Hone St John, build trusted partnerships with iwi and Māori communities in the spirit of Mana Motuhake, and help innovate and codesign initiatives that enable our iwi partners to deliver their vision for equity in action. 

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a National Māori Health and Equity Cultural Advisor. Working closely with our People teams, this role will develop and deliver organisation-wide cultural capability training, while providing ongoing guidance and support. The aim is to build the confidence, skills, and capabilities our kaimahi need to engage effectively with tāngata Māori and represent Hato Hone St John with confidence in formal engagements. 

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and facilitate the development and delivery of training on both Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its implications for Hato Hone St John in a health context as well as educating all staff (paid & volunteer) on appropriate Māori tikanga in order to build cultural competency and confidence within Hato Hone St John.
• Responsible for the Aka Whiri workstream this role works in collaboration with People Team colleagues to support the development of a learning programme that can be delivered across Hato Hone St John.
• Support and mentor Leaders and Stakeholders at all levels to develop cultural capability. Ensure that local managers receive the necessary support, guidance, and knowledge for effective collaboration with iwi, hapū, and whānau.
• Provide strategic cultural advice on national projects, policies, and documentation to ensure alignment with Māori perspectives and values and contribute effectively to project teams.
• Maintain an understanding of Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ), its national vision, and strategic goals to ensure that Hato Hone St John’s approach to Māori Health Equity aligns with these broader health objectives.
• Support external stakeholder iwi, hapū and Marae engagement acting as an effective conduit for information, facilitating communication both into and out of Māori hāpori to support Māori initiatives.
• Represent and confidently whaikōrero on behalf at Hato Hone St John at pōwhiri/whakatau and other events.

Qualifications

Ko wai koe - About you:

• Ideally you will have a qualification in teaching or have hāpori experience in related field, i.e. social work, humanities, or evidence of relevant cultural learnings/integration within field (Te Ao Māori, Mātauranga Māori, Te reo me ōna tikanga).
• Proficiency in Te Reo me ōna tikanga is required.
• Previous experience working within te ao Māori or Hauora Māori.
• Experience in the development and delivery of training programmes to grow cultural capability.
• Experience in building and maintaining key relationships with health stakeholders including iwi, hapū and whānau.
• An appreciation of the wider health and emergency services is an advantage.

We’re looking for someone who understands that meaningful change takes time and is comfortable working in an evolving environment where growth happens gradually, through collaboration and learning.

Additional Information

Me pēhea te tuku tono - How to apply

Click “I’m interested” before applications close on Monday 12 October 2026.

For further information please contact Sara Symons - sara.symons@stjohn.org.nz for a confidential discussion.

At Hato Hone St John, we embrace diversity, welcoming everyone to bring their authentic selves to work. We value unique perspectives, fostering inclusivity to better serve our communities, and we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone belongs.

E pōhiritia nei e mātou, te whānau o Hato Hone St John, ngā rerekētanga o ia tāngata ki te haramai.  E āwhinatia e mātou I ngā whakaaro rerekē, kia mahi pai I roto I ngā hāpori katoa.  Ko tā mātou nei haepapa, kia hanga tētahi āhuru mōwai mā tatou, kia mahi haumaru ai.

If you need accommodations for accessibility, please reach out to the recruiter listed for equitable participation in our recruitment process.

Research shows that women and people from under-represented groups are less likely to apply for roles when their experience doesn’t match the job description perfectly. If you’re excited and think you have what it takes, we want to hear from you! Even if your experience doesn’t align 100%. Please apply or contact the recruitment advisor listed on the advertisement for a kōrero.