Director of Nursing – Home and Community
New Zealand Health Group Ltd
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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Executive Summary
- Lead clinical excellence across New Zealand’s largest home and community care provider.
- Drive innovation in models of care that improve health outcomes nationwide.
- Influence sector strategy and build strong partnerships to shape the future of community health.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is an opportunity to join a national leader in community health and shape the future of nursing. As Director of Nursing – Home and Community, you will influence organisational strategy, design innovative models of care, and lead clinical excellence across a large, complex organisation. You will work collaboratively with funders, primary care providers, and sector partners to strengthen integration and deliver outcomes that matter for people and their whānau. This role offers the chance to make a tangible impact on health equity and quality of care across New Zealand.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the Director – Home and Community, the Director of Nursing provides strategic direction and oversight for clinical governance, quality, and service innovation. The role ensures safe, evidence-based care across nationwide services, designs and implements new models of care aligned with evolving health needs and builds a high-performing Clinical Leadership Team. It also involves contributing to organisational strategy, supporting business growth through clinically sound proposals, and ensuring compliance with national standards and contractual obligations.
The Director will represent all the homecare businesses as well as NZCL at Clinical Governance and Quality, Health & Safety committees, and act as a trusted adviser to senior leadership and operational teams. By driving continuous improvement in clinical quality and client outcomes, the role will strengthen organisational capability and position New Zealand Health Group as a thought leader in community health. Success will require balancing strategic priorities with operational realities, fostering collaboration across business units, and embedding a culture of excellence and innovation.
THE CANDIDATE
The Director of Nursing - Home and Community will be an experienced clinical leader with proven success at Director or Associate Director level in nursing. They will hold current registration as a Registered Nurse with an Annual Practising Certificate and possess relevant postgraduate qualifications, alongside significant experience in community health. A strong understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement, and service innovation is essential, as is the ability to lead organisational change and mentor others to achieve high performance.
The successful candidate will bring exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills, enabling them to build networks across the health and disability sector and engage effectively with funders, providers, and internal stakeholders. Commercial acumen and strategic thinking capability are critical, together with resilience, sound judgment, and a commitment to delivering culturally responsive care. This is an opportunity for a visionary leader to make a meaningful impact on health outcomes for New Zealanders by advancing clinical excellence in home and community care.
We invite you to discuss this exceptional leadership opportunity with Lynette Taylor from the HardyGroup
M. +61 (0)431 293 861 | E. ltaylor@hardygroupintl.com
The closing date for applications is Sunday, 25 January 2026.
New Zealand Health Group Ltd
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 workplaces.
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
As the Director of Nursing, you are responsible for providing high-level clinical governance and expert advice to support the provision of high-quality services nationwide across our home and community-based services. Responsibility for clinical leadership, the future direction of Registered Nurses, practice development and implementing new clinical service models across the business all form part of the responsibilities of this critical role.
Another key component of the role is to lead a team of Clinical Leads who provide mentoring and leadership to enable their team members to work at the top of their scope of practice, as part of a high performing multi-disciplinary team. These Clinical Leads represent the first line of clinical escalation - and are expected to resolve most issues. The Director of Nursing is the second line of clinical escalation.
Our services are provided in people's homes, and our clinical staff have a strong interface with primary care and social services to enable people to be supported to remain in their homes for as long as possible.
While the Director of Nursing’s focus is on Home and Community Services, the role also requires a strong understanding of complex clinical escalations across other NZHG entities, especially within the NZCL business. The Director of Nursing will represent both Home and Community Services and NZCL at Quality, Health and Safety Committee meetings, actively driving and supporting ongoing quality improvement initiatives.
The Director of Nursing is also required to enhance NZ Health Group organisational effectiveness through governance of professional standards and is accountable for the development of robust clinical policies and procedures, promoting shared clinical leadership to ensure efficient service delivery, safe clinical care through evidence-based practice and enhancing a culture of client focused outcomes, balanced with the direction of the business. The Director of Nursing holds the responsibility for clinical decision-making related to NZ Health Group wide support worker clinical training and professional development frameworks for nursing.
Strategy
- Contribute to the development and execution of business strategies that support growth and sustainability.
- Identify and implement innovative approaches to increase revenue and grow market reach.
- Collaborate with the Director – Home and Community to co-design new clinical service models that meet evolving customer needs.
- Provide clinical governance and expert input into new and renewing business proposals, tenders, and service agreements.
- Support the implementation of the Home and Community business plan in partnership with the Service Centre and other business functions, ensuring delivery of clinically led, person-centered care.
- Lead the development of new clinical services to develop offerings for stakeholders and the people we support.
Leadership
- Act as a trusted clinical adviser to Operational Leadership, Senior Leadership, and the Executive Leadership Team.
- Build and lead a high-performing Clinical Leadership Team that is recognised as a valued partner across the organisation.
- Contribute to clinical leadership thinking and represent NZ Health Group in industry forums and working groups.
- Support the development of NZ Health Group’s employee value proposition to attract and retain high-quality clinical staff, and maintain engagement with professional unions, including the New Zealand Nursing Organisation (NZNO).
- Model and promote the organisation’s values in all interactions and decisions.
- Mentor operational teams on clinical service delivery performance requirements.
- Collaborate with the MySkill Clinical Training Manager to design and implement onboarding and professional development programmes for clinical staff.
- Establish and oversee national mentoring programmes for clinical staff, identifying and addressing professional development needs.
- Work closely with managers to plan and implement organisational change in an inclusive, people-focused manner.
Clinical Service Delivery
- Provide clinical expertise on contract requirements, including case mix, clinical practice standards, multidisciplinary collaboration, and complex client management across the organisation.
- Advise leadership teams on national and international professional trends to drive organisational growth through clinical innovation and excellence.
- Deliver expert clinical guidance to ensure service delivery reflects best-practice standards.
- Define clinical service delivery performance requirements and mentor teams to achieve these standards.
- Support the development of clinically sound models of care and translate these principles into service delivery processes that meet contractual obligations and enable service innovation.
- Establish and maintain robust Clinical Governance for Home and Community Support Services, ensuring alignment with contemporary practice and national strategic frameworks.
- Champion safe and effective direction and delegation to Support Workers (Kaiawhina), promoting innovative practice and optimising workforce capability.
- Provide troubleshooting and support to operational teams managing clients with complex health, disability, and psychosocial needs.
- Continuously identify opportunities to enhance the value of products and services delivered to customers.
Building Relationships & Networks
- Build strategic and operational relationships with clinical peers in funder organisations and primary healthcare providers.
- Support integration and collaboration between NZ Health Group’s homecare businesses and other primary and community care providers.
- Develop and maintain professional networks within the broader health and disability sector to strengthen partnerships and influence best practice.
- Foster strong, trust-based relationships with colleagues across the organisation to enable effective collaboration and shared outcomes.
Concern for Quality & Standards
- Collaborate with the NZHG Clinical Quality Manager to develop, implement, and maintain robust clinical performance management systems, processes, and audit frameworks.
- Work closely with the NZ Health Group Quality Team to lead and participate in clinical quality improvement projects and reviews.
- Review and update clinical policies, procedures, and guidelines across all areas of clinical practice.
- Act as a subject matter expert in clinical investigations, including the review of service delivery incidents and sentinel events.
- Engage with internal and external auditors to ensure continuous improvement initiatives are embedded and sustained.
- Previous experience in clinical leadership at a director level (e.g. Director or Associate Director of Nursing)
- Hold active registration as a Registered Nurse and a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC)
- Relevant post graduate qualification (s) and significant experience working in the community
- Recognised as a clinical leader within the sector Previous experience and in-depth knowledge of primary and community healthcare delivery models
- Passion and expertise working collaboratively and developing leadership and subject matter skills in others
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills, and highly developed emotional intelligence
- A love of problem solving combined with resilience to cope with the unexpected or difficult
- Excellent planning and organisational skills, including project management experience
- Sound judgement and high level of integrity
- Demonstrated commercial acumen
- 1.Clinical Leadership Experience
Demonstrated experience in senior clinical leadership roles, ideally at Director or Associate Director level, with a proven ability to lead large, complex health services. - 2.Professional Registration and Qualifications
Current registration as a Registered Nurse with an Annual Practising Certificate, supported by relevant postgraduate qualifications and extensive experience in community health. - 3.Strategic and Operational Capability
Proven ability to develop and implement clinical governance frameworks, service models, and strategies that align with organisational goals and national health priorities. - 4.Clinical Governance and Quality Improvement
Expertise in establishing and maintaining robust clinical governance systems, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring compliance with quality standards. - 5.Leadership and Team Development
Experience building and mentoring high-performing clinical teams, fostering a culture of excellence, and supporting professional development across multidisciplinary teams. - 6.Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management
Strong ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with funders, primary care providers, sector partners, and internal stakeholders to influence best practice and service integration. - 7.Change Management and Innovation
Proven capability in leading organisational change, introducing innovative models of care, and responding effectively to evolving health needs and contractual requirements. - 8.Commercial Acumen and Strategic Thinking
Demonstrated understanding of business drivers, financial sustainability, and the ability to balance clinical priorities with organisational objectives.
Delegations: Clinical Leads (5)
Internal Relationships
- Relationship Managers
- Human Resources teams
- Service Centre teams (Finance, Marketing & Communications, Quality)
- MySkill
- ICT
External Relationships
- Clinical peers within Funders
- Government agencies primary care and other service providers
- Professional Registration bodies
- Professional unions
- Primary Health Organisations (PHO's)
- Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO's)
- People we support and their families/whānau and support networks
Committees & Groups
- Member of the HealthCare NZ Clinical Governance Group
- Member of the NZHG Quality Health and Safety committee
- Project teams
- Industry bodies
- Sector committees as required
Attractive remuneration package, please discuss with HardyGroup Consultant
Service Location: New Zealand
Wellington, Auckland or Christchurch
Important Rules of Working at New Zealand Health Group
- 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.
The closing date for applications is Sunday, 25 January 2026.
The reference number to include in your application is H25_5342
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, Lynette Taylor;
- 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:
Lynette Taylor
HardyGroup Executive Director, Search & Recruitment
M. +61 (0)431 293 861
E. ltaylor@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.