Director – Māori Relations
New Zealand Health Group (NZHG) Limited
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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Executive Summary
THE OPPORTUNITY
New Zealand Health Group (NZHG) Limited is the country’s largest provider of Home and Community Services, rehabilitation and behavioural support, disability, health staffing and training. Through its companies, Geneva Healthcare, HealthCare New Zealand, Solora, NZCL and Explore, it provides healthcare services to over 30,000 New Zealanders and employs over 12,000 caregiving, nursing and other health professional staff.
Having operated in the sector for over 30 years, the company has built up and enviable reputation of relentlessly pursuing better techniques and systems to be able to provide the very best of care and support for those New Zealanders who need help to live in their own homes as independently as possible.
We are values driven, dedicated to delivering culturally appropriate and safe care for all our people and their whānau. We are committed to contributing to our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the pursuit of health equity for all. Our values are Kai Whakaute – We act with Care, Respect and Empathy, Kai Huhuatanga – We strive for Excellence and Quality and Kai Whanaungatanga – We act in Partnership, are fundamental to everything we do.
THE ROLE
This role of Director – Māori Relations is focused on building strong, collaborative relationships with Iwi and community organisations, identifying opportunities to work together in ways that deliver mutual value.
The Director - Māori Relations is tasked with developing and maintaining strong relationships with Iwi and community organisations, ensuring engagement is grounded in mutual respect, cultural understanding, and shared outcomes. This is achieved through competency to:
- Identify and deliver initiatives that reflect what can be done in collaboration with and for Iwi and communities.
- Work closely with Kaumātua, ensuring their insights and cultural guidance are incorporated into planning and decision-making processes.
- Collaborate with Category Directors to design and implement plans that reflect the needs and opportunities within their respective areas.
- Continually look for opportunities related to business growth across the Group business units to add value to the products and services we deliver to our customers in conjunction with the Groups strategic goals.
- Support senior leaders by drafting of relevant sections of RFPs which support NZHG’s bid to build market share and gain new business.
- Take responsibility for ensuring we are meeting our internal equity related requirements.
- Represent the organisation in matters relating to Māori interests and perspectives, ensuring respectful and culturally appropriate engagement with iwi, hapū, and Māori stakeholders.
- Provide internal guidance and support on tikanga Māori and te ao Māori, helping to embed Māori values and practices into organisational policies, procedures, and decision-making.
The Director is part of the executive team reporting to the Chief Executive Officer.
THE CANDIDATE
This role requires an experienced executive leader with proven positive results in developing rich networks and a track record of success in large, complex organisations. Candidates will bring:
- Comprehensive understanding of Te ao Māori, and tikanga Māori.
- An ability to speak and competently converse in Te Reo Māori.
- Experience building cultural frameworks specifically related to Te ao Māori practices and capability development.
- Demonstrated ability of building networks across various Hapu, Iwi and other Kaupapa Māori organisations.
We invite you to discuss this exceptional leadership opportunity with Paul Ingle from the HardyGroup
M. +61 (0)402 796 125 | E. pingle@hardygroupintl.com
New Zealand Health Group (NZHG) Limited
New Zealand Health Group (NZHG) Limited
We act with Care, Respect and Empathy, Kai Huhuatanga
New Zealand Health Group (NZHG) Limited is the country’s largest provider of Home and Community Services, rehabilitation and behavioural support, disability, health staffing and training. Through its companies, Geneva Healthcare, HealthCare New Zealand, Solora, NZCL and Explore, it provides healthcare services to over 30,000 New Zealanders and employs over 12,000 caregiving, nursing and other health professional staff.
Having operated in the sector for over 30 years, the company has built up and enviable reputation of relentlessly pursuing better techniques and systems to be able to provide the very best of care and support for those New Zealanders who need help to live in their own homes as independently as possible.
We are values driven, dedicated to delivering culturally appropriate and safe care for all our people and their whānau. We are committed to contributing to our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the pursuit of health equity for all. Our values are Kai Whakaute – We act with Care, Respect and Empathy, Kai Huhuatanga – We strive for Excellence and Quality and Kai Whanaungatanga – We act in Partnership, are fundamental to everything we do.
Our Purpose. Our Vision. Our Values.
Te Pae Tata – Our Purpose
Pae Ora mō Tātau Katoa
Achieving Equitable Wellbeing for Everyone
Te Pae Tawhiti – Our Vision
Tohunga Oranga Tāngata ki te Ao
A world leading organisation, bringing our range of wrap-around services, skills, technology and determination to transform people’s lives, together for good.
Whakamaua Kia Tina – Our Values
Kai Whakaute
We act with Care, Respect and Empathy
Kai Huhuatanga
We strive for Excellence and Quality
Kai Whanaungatanga
We act in Partnership
Pai Ake Tatau - Together for Good
As New Zealanders, there is nothing we value more than our health and wellbeing, our independence and our sense of togetherness.
At New Zealand Health Group, we look out for one another and come together for the good of others across Aotearoa, New Zealand. We’re the largest community health, disability and wellbeing group supporting over 30,000 people to get on with making the most of life in their own homes, communities and work places.
Every day, our team of over 10,000 passionate people from all walks of life come together to find better ways to support people and improve their health and wellbeing through our technology, clinical expertise and a lot of aroha from our team.
Together, we work with the government and community organisations, local business, iwi and whānau, in nearly every corner of the motu to make sure everyone has equitable access to the support they deserve.
We continue to bring our skills, determination, and achievements together to transform people’s lives.
E hara taku toa i te toa takitahi, he toa takitini.
My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective.
Pae Ora mō Tātau Katoa - Achieving Wellbeing for Everyone
New Zealand Health Group strives to work within Pae Ora mō Tātau Katoa, our Māori Equity Framework which champions equity of health outcomes for Māori.
We see our capabilities in the context of Sir Mason Durie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā model, a Māori health model which promotes balanced, holistic wellbeing and encompasses 4 dimensions: Te Taha Hinengaro (Emotional and Mental Wellbeing), Te Taha Tinana (Physical Wellbeing), Te Taha Whānau (Social Wellbeing), and Te Taha Wairua (Spiritual Wellbeing). We have also included a fifth element – Te Taiao (Environmental Wellbeing).
Te Whare Tapa Whā is an integral part of Pae Ora mō Tātau Katoa: to learn more about this equity-enabling framework, see our info sheet here.
Role Specification
This role of Director – Māori Relations is focused on building strong, collaborative relationships with Iwi and community organisations, identifying opportunities to work together in ways that deliver mutual value.
As an important member of the executive team, the Director - Māori Relations must expertly:
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with Iwi and community organisations, ensuring engagement is grounded in mutual respect, cultural understanding, and shared outcomes.
- Identify and deliver initiatives that reflect what can be done in collaboration with and for Iwi and communities.
- Work closely with Kaumātua, ensuring their insights and cultural guidance are incorporated into planning and decision-making processes.
- Collaborate with Category Directors to design and implement plans that reflect the needs and opportunities within their respective areas.
- Continually look for opportunities related to business growth across the Group business units to add value to the products and services we deliver to our customers in conjunction with the Groups strategic goals.
- Support senior leaders by drafting of relevant sections of RFPs which support NZHG’s bid to build market share and gain new business.
- Take responsibility for ensuring we are meeting our internal equity related requirements.
- Represent the organisation in matters relating to Māori interests and perspectives, ensuring respectful and culturally appropriate engagement with iwi, hapū, and Māori stakeholders.
- Provide internal guidance and support on tikanga Māori and te ao Māori, helping to embed Māori values and practices into organisational policies, procedures, and decision-making.
Qualifications and Experience:
Candidates must have demonstrative experience and skills that include:
- A comprehensive understanding of Te ao Māori, and tikanga Māori.
- An ability to speak and competently converse in Te Reo Māori.
- Experience building cultural frameworks specifically related to Te ao Māori practices and capability development.
- Demonstrated ability of building networks across various Hapu, Iwi and other Kaupapa Māori organisations.
The successful candidate will bring executive-level experience in successfully developing and maintaining strong relationships with Iwi and community organisations, ensuring engagement is grounded in mutual respect, cultural understanding, and shared outcomes.
Specifically, they will demonstrate:
- A comprehensive understanding of Te ao Māori, and tikanga Māori.
- An ability to speak and competently converse in Te Reo Māori.
- Experience building cultural frameworks specifically related to Te ao Māori practices and capability development.
- Demonstrated ability of building networks across various Hapu, Iwi and other Kaupapa Māori organisations.
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Delegations: No direct reports
Internal Relationships
- Executive team
- Senior leadership team
- Shared services
- All New Zealand Health Group colleagues
External Relationships
- Iwi
- Community leaders
- Members of the community
- Funders
- Government agencies and representatives
Committees & Groups
- Project teams
- Industry bodies
- Sector committees as required
Attractive remuneration package, please discuss with HardyGroup Consultant
Service Location: Various across New Zealand
Visit our interactive map here to view our services and locations.
Important Rules of Working at New Zealand Health Group (NZHG) Limited
- Comply with all company policies, guidelines and procedures
- Behave in a manner consistent with the values and conduct standards of the organisation
- Embrace and promote a working environment that is culturally diverse
- Promote and support initiatives that contribute to a healthy and safe working environment for employees, visitors, contractors, and the people we support
- Ensure compliance with health and safety policy and procedures, including accident and incident reporting, investigation, hazard management, induction, employee participation, visitor and contractor management
- Ensure awareness of, and adherence to, all employment and Health & Safety legislative requirements
- Take the direction of your manager and the business to undertake any other reasonable tasks which are within your ability to complete.
Pre-Employment Probity Checks
Information on a person’s suitability for appointment is obtained for all appointments. Potential appointees will be asked whether there are any reasons why they should not be appointed such as: Information on a person’s criminal history and other associated probity checks will be sought from those candidates whose application has progressed to shortlisting for interview.
A New Zealand Police check may be undertaken as part of the vetting process for this role.
The closing date for applications is Sunday, 9th November, 2025
The reference number to include in your application is H25_5293
Note: Please use the online platform to submit your application. It will not be accepted via email.
If you require assistance in submitting your application online, please get in touch with Executive Search Coordinator, Sarah Prebble: M: +61 (0)430 219 787 / E: sprebble@hardygroupintl.com
Your application must include:
- 1.Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant, Paul Ingle;
- 2.A written response addressing the key selection criteria; and
- 3.An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
It Is standard practice for HardyGroup to acknowledge receipt of your application no later than the next business day. We request that if you do not receive the acknowledgement, you contact the search coordinator listed above as soon as possible after the 24-hour business period and arrange to resend your application if necessary.
For a confidential discussion, please contact:
Paul Ingle
Chief Executive Officer, HardyGroup Australia & New Zealand
M. +61 (0)402 796 125
E. pingle@hardygroupintl.com
ABOUT US
HardyGroup’s (HG) mission is simple
Find and Grow Great Leaders - and we have been doing exactly that for more than 30 years in public and private health, primary, community and aged care as well as the broader public service.
Our synergistic business model of Executive Search and Recruitment integrated with Executive Leadership and Learning is our unique point of difference.
It ensures our clients can count on us for the lifecycle of their organisations leadership journey and why we are regarded as the leading trans-Tasman partner agency by clients.
When engaging HG you can be confident in a deeply personalised experience and service as nothing matters more to us than relationships and results.