Chief Executive
Comcare Trust
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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Executive Summary
THE OPPORTUNITY
Comcare Trust has been a leader in community mental health, addiction recovery, and social housing for over 30 years. Established from a vision to support people to live well in their communities, Comcare has grown into a financially strong, values-driven organisation with a turnover of approximately $20 million, more than 140 staff, and a strong balance sheet.
With services spanning community support, housing, employment, education, peer support, and wellbeing, Comcare plays a unique role in combining mental health and housing solutions – enabling people to live with dignity, stability, and purpose. The Trust’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan charts an ambitious pathway for growth, including geographical expansion across the lower South Island, diversification of funding, and continued innovation in person-centred, wraparound support.
The next Chief Executive will step into a highly regarded organisation with a strong governance board, solid Tier 2 leadership team, and significant opportunity to shape the next phase of Comcare’s journey.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the Trust Board, the Chief Executive is accountable for leading Comcare with vision, integrity, and courage. The CE will:
- Deliver on the strategic priorities set by the Board, with a focus on expansion, diversification of services and funding, and further embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.
- Provide empowering leadership to the Executive Team and staff, fostering a culture of wellbeing, peer support, innovation, and accountability.
- Manage and grow Comcare’s role as a major provider of social housing for people experiencing mental illness and addiction, ensuring housing assets are well governed, maintained, and developed.
- Strengthen relationships with funders (Health NZ, MSD, DIA, Kāinga Ora), philanthropic partners, and the wider community, ensuring Comcare remains trusted, influential, and financially sustainable.
- Represent Comcare at local, regional, and national levels, advocating for sector development and influencing mental health and housing policy.
- Ensure organisational resilience through robust financial management, risk oversight, and technology adoption, while safeguarding client and staff wellbeing.
This is a role of scale, complexity, and impact – combining commercial acumen, deep understanding of mental health, and an ability to inspire confidence and trust with diverse stakeholders.
THE CANDIDATE
The Board is seeking an experienced and values-driven leader who brings:
- Proven chief executive (or senior executive with equivalent accountability) experience in complex organisations.
- Deep understanding of the health and mental health sectors, alongside insight into housing, community development, and social enterprise.
- Commercial acumen to manage significant assets, housing development, and diversified funding streams, while balancing social impact with financial sustainability.
- Strong partnership skills, with the ability to engage credibly with iwi, government, philanthropic funders, and the wider NGO community.
- Authentic alignment with Comcare’s mission, vision, and peer-led kaupapa, and a personal leadership style marked by integrity, empathy, and gravitas.
- A track record of delivering strategy, building cohesive senior teams, and ensuring organisations are fit for purpose in a changing landscape.
This is a unique opportunity to lead one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most respected community organisations and to have a lasting impact on the wellbeing of individuals, whānau, and communities.
We invite you to discuss this exceptional leadership opportunity with David Price from the HardyGroup
M. +64 (0)21 0239 2211 | E. dprice@hardygroupintl.com
Comcare Trust
Comcare at a Glance
Organisation Overview
- Established: ~30 years ago, founded out of a vision to deinstitutionalise mental health care and enable people to live well in the community.
- Location: Head office in Christchurch, with services across Canterbury and recent expansion into Dunedin.
- Staff: ~145 staff across service delivery, housing, employment and support roles.
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $20 million.
- Balance Sheet: Strong, with housing assets providing financial stability and flexibility.
Services
- Mental Health & Addiction Support: Evidence-based services for adults and young adults, including community support, wellbeing initiatives, and integration with health services.
- Peer Support: A core kaupapa throughout Comcare’s programmes – from community support workers to telephone services and peer hubs.
- Employment & Education: Supported employment and training initiatives to help people re-enter the workforce.
- Physical Health & Wellbeing: Wraparound services supporting holistic health outcomes.
- Social Housing: Extensive portfolio of homes for people experiencing mental illness and addiction, including property development, ownership, and maintenance.
Funding & Partnerships
- Funding Sources:
- Health NZ
- MSD
- Kāinga Ora
- DIA
- Diversification Goal: Strategic priority to expand philanthropic and private partnerships to strengthen sustainability.
Strategic Direction (2025–2030)
- Geographical Growth: Expansion across the lower South Island, including smaller centres.
- Innovation: Harness technology to improve service delivery and extend reach.
- Diversification: Increase non-government funding, including philanthropic and business partnerships.
- Housing Development: Continue building and maintaining quality housing to meet client needs.
- Te Tiriti & Equity: Strengthen commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and advance equity, diversity, and inclusion across all services.
About Comcare Trust
"Ko te whakaora, he hīkoi whakamārama. Māna anō tōna ake ara whakaora e whakarau"
"A journey of discovery where an individual leads their own unique process of moving forwards"
Welcome to Comcare Trust – Te WHĀNAU WHĀNUI
Comcare Trust is an innovative, forward-thinking organisation committed to supporting people to live well in their communities. The organisation:
- Is recovery-focused, building on people’s strengths to support lasting wellbeing.
- Delivers positive outcomes for individuals and their whānau to live well and independently.
- Takes a practical, person-centred approach, doing what is necessary to help people overcome barriers to independence and progress.
- Provides services and supports known to have a significant impact on wellbeing, including:
- Personal support and relationships
- Housing
- Employment
- Mental health
- Explores opportunities to use technology to extend and enhance its service offerings.
Comcare assists people with mental health or addiction issues to live well in the Canterbury community. We offer a broad range of services including social housing and mental health support services to clients in Canterbury and Dunedin.
Comcare Trust has been supporting people in Canterbury and beyond for over 30 years, helping individuals experiencing mental illness or addiction to live well and independently. As one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most respected community organisations, Comcare provides an integrated model of mental health support, peer services, employment and education assistance, and social housing. The Trust’s unique blend of mental health and housing services enables people to not only access a safe home but also build the confidence, skills, and connections to thrive. With a strong financial foundation, a talented team of around 145 staff, and deep community partnerships, Comcare continues to be a catalyst for social impact and sector innovation. The 2025–2030 Strategic Plan positions Comcare for sustainable growth, geographic expansion, and strengthened partnerships with iwi, funders, and the philanthropic sector – reaffirming its commitment to empowering people and building healthy, inclusive communities.
We have services across Waitaha (Canterbury) and in Ōtepoti (Dunedin).
Our mission
Comcare Trust will contribute positively to the recovery of people who experience mental illness and addictions through the provision of quality community services and social housing.
Our vision
People who experience mental illness and addictions living well.
Role Specification
The Chief Executive will provide visionary and values-based leadership to Comcare Trust, ensuring people experiencing mental illness and addiction can live well in their communities. Building on Comcare’s strong financial position, unique integration of mental health services and housing, and trusted peer-support kaupapa, the CE will lead the organisation through its next phase of growth.
This includes delivering on the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan: expanding services across the lower South Island, strengthening partnerships with iwi, government, philanthropic and community stakeholders, and diversifying funding to ensure long-term sustainability.
The CE will empower the senior leadership team, foster a culture of integrity and wellbeing, and position Comcare as a national leader in mental health, housing, and recovery innovation.
Strategic Leadership & Growth
- Deliver on the Comcare Strategy 2025–2030, with a focus on growth, innovation, and sustainability.
- Lead expansion into new geographies, service areas, and populations, ensuring scale while retaining people-centred values.
- Position Comcare nationally as a thought leader in integrated housing and mental health solutions.
People & Culture
- Inspire and empower the Executive Team and wider workforce, embedding a culture of integrity, peer support, and wellbeing.
- Strengthen and unify the Executive leadership team, ensuring high performance, collaboration, and succession planning.
- Champion equity, diversity, and inclusion across all services and staffing.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi & Equity
- Uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, engaging authentically with iwi and Māori organisations.
- Ensure services meet the diverse needs of tangata whaiora and their whānau.
- Lead initiatives that address equity and inclusion for Māori, Pasifika, and other under-served groups.
Services & Housing
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based services in community support, housing, peer services, supported employment, and wellbeing.
- Manage Comcare’s housing portfolio to maximise wellbeing outcomes, including property development, acquisition, and maintenance.
- Support people to sustain tenancies through wraparound services that address mental health, addiction, and social wellbeing needs.
- Continue to innovate peer-support models and integrated care that help people stay connected, safe, and independent in their communities.
Financial & Commercial Management
- Lead a financially sustainable organisation with annual revenues of c.$20m and significant housing assets.
- Diversify funding streams, growing philanthropic and commercial partnerships alongside government contracts.
- Maintain strong financial governance, audit, and investment practices.
Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy
- Build trust-based relationships with Health NZ, MSD, Kāinga Ora, local councils, iwi, philanthropic partners, and the wider NGO sector.
- Advocate for improved policy and funding for mental health, addiction, and housing at local and national levels.
- Represent Comcare with gravitas, credibility, and integrity.
Governance Support
- Partner with the Board in strategy, planning, and oversight.
- Provide high-quality, insight-driven reporting to support decision-making.
- Build a transparent, constructive, and respectful governance–management interface.
Technology & Innovation
- Leverage technology to extend service reach, improve efficiency, and safeguard client and staff data.
- Ensure digital innovation enhances, rather than detracts from, people-centred values.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Executive leadership – proven CEO or senior executive experience with Board accountability and organisational growth. Sector knowledge – deep understanding of mental health, addiction, and housing in Aotearoa.
- Financial & commercial acumen – experience with budgets >$15m, property asset management, and diversified funding.
- Te Tiriti & cultural competence – strong track record of equity-focused leadership and engagement with iwi and Māori communities.
- Stakeholder influence – gravitas to engage credibly with Ministers, funders, philanthropic and community partners.
- People & culture – inspiring leadership style, emotional intelligence, and commitment to wellbeing and staff empowerment.
- Future focus – capacity to lead innovation, embrace technology, and drive growth while sustaining Comcare’s kaupapa.
- 1.Leadership & Governance
- Proven success as a Chief Executive or senior executive reporting to a Board, with the ability to inspire, empower, and unify leadership teams. Demonstrated experience in building strong governance relationships and leveraging Board expertise.
- 2.Sector Knowledge & Strategy
- Deep understanding of the New Zealand mental health and addiction sectors, with insight into housing, wellbeing, and community development. Evidence of developing and executing strategies that respond to changing health, housing, and social policy environments.
- 3.Commercial & Financial Acumen
- Strong financial management capability, including oversight of budgets >$15m, property asset management, and diversified funding streams. Proven ability to balance social purpose with financial sustainability, and to engage credibly with philanthropic, government, and commercial partners.
- 4.Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy
- Demonstrated ability to build trust-based relationships with funders, iwi, government agencies, NGOs, and community groups. Skilled in sector advocacy and influencing public policy while safeguarding Comcare’s charitable status.
- 5.People, Culture & Te Tiriti
- Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. A track record of leading positive organisational culture, supporting staff wellbeing, and embedding peer-led models of support. Experience in talent development and succession planning.
- 6.Innovation, Growth & Technology
- Experience leading organisational growth, service innovation, and geographical expansion. Understanding of how technology can support service delivery, improve reporting, and enhance outcomes while retaining a people-centred ethos.
Internal Key Relationships
- The Trust Board and Committee
- Executive Leadership Team members
- Executive Assistant
External Key Relationships
- Health NZ
- MSD
- Kāinga Ora
- DIA
- local and regional government
- iwi partners
- NGO sector leaders
- philanthropic and corporate partners
- professional advisors (clinical, legal, property, etc.).
Please discuss with HardyGroup Consultant
Service Location: Christchurch (Lincoln Road offices, with services across Canterbury and Dunedin, and strategic expansion across the lower South Island)
Delegations: Delegations of authority are reviewed and confirmed with the appointed Chief Executive.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 23 November 2025
The reference number to include in your application is H25_5304
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, Aldie Zuñiga: M: +61 (0)49 410 1082 / E: azuniga@hardygroupintl.com
Your application must include:
- 1.Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
- 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:
David Price
National Manager, HardyGroup New Zealand
M. +64 (0)21 0239 2211
E. dprice@hardygroupintl.com
Paul Ingle
Chief Executive Officer, HardyGroup Australia & New Zealand
M. +61 (0)402 796 125
E. pingle@hardygroupintl.com
Living and working in Christchurch
Christchurch: The South Island's Largest City
At the heart of Canterbury lies Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand’s second-largest city and the South Island’s largest urban centre, home to around 412,000 residents. Christchurch combines the energy of a growing, innovative city with easy access to nature, making it an ideal base for both professional and personal fulfilment. Since the 2011 earthquakes, the city has rebounded strongly, with steady population growth and significant investment in modern infrastructure, business districts, and vibrant community spaces.
Culture and Leisure
As the largest city in the South Island, Christchurch is also its cultural heart. The city combines a distinctly English heritage, visible in its architecture and gardens, with a strong and growing Māori cultural presence, reflected in public art, language, and community life. Expansive parks and green spaces add to the city’s liveability, while its museums, theatres, and galleries, including the renowned Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū showcase both local and international talent. A thriving restaurant and café scene, alongside festivals and live events, bring energy and variety to everyday life.
A Dynamic, Diverse Community
Christchurch is increasingly multicultural and dynamic, with nearly one in three residents born overseas. Its ethnic makeup reflects this diversity: around 76% European/Pākehā, 11% Māori, 17% Asian, and growing Pacific and MELAA communities. This rich cultural fabric brings energy to the city’s business networks, food scene, and cultural life, making it an exciting place to live and work. With a median age of 37.5 years, the city benefits from a skilled, young, and connected workforce, supported by leading universities, research institutions, and thriving innovation sectors.
Lifestyle and Opportunity
Set between the Pacific Ocean and the Southern Alps, Christchurch is a true gateway to the South Island. Residents enjoy easy access to world-class skiing, hiking, cycling, and beaches, all within a short drive of the city. The climate enhances this lifestyle: summers are warm and dry, typically between 20–25°C, while winters are cool but not harsh, averaging around 10°C, with nearby mountains providing snow for winter sports. With just 648 mm of rainfall annually, Christchurch is one of New Zealand’s driest and sunniest major cities, ideal for those who value an active, outdoor way of life.
Christchurch’s urban environment continues to flourish, with modern facilities, a vibrant hospitality sector, and strong community spirit. The result is a city that offers the balance of a cosmopolitan lifestyle, affordable living, and easy access to nature, making it an exceptional place to call home.
For more information on Living in Ōtautahi | Christchurch visit.
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