Lead comprehensive psychiatric care for older adults across Te Tai Tokerau

Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry of Older Persons Service

Permanent, full-time role based in Whangārei. Make a real difference in the lives of older people across Te Tai Tokerau, providing advanced mental health care, clinical leadership, and expert support to patients, whānau, and healthcare teams. Enjoy the opportunity to work autonomously within a highly skilled multidisciplinary team while shaping service delivery, mentoring clinicians, and improving equity and health outcomes for older people.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

As a Nurse Practitioner in our Psychiatry of Older Persons Service, you will provide advanced clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing, and care coordination for older people experiencing mental health challenges across Te Tai Tokerau. Working both autonomously and collaboratively, you will deliver expert, person-centred care that supports improved health outcomes and a seamless care journey for patients and their whānau.

This is a senior clinical leadership role where you will influence service development, lead quality initiatives, support equity-focused healthcare delivery, and provide mentorship to nurses and multidisciplinary colleagues. You will work closely with psychiatrists, allied health professionals, primary care providers, residential aged care facilities, and community partners to ensure high-quality, evidence-based care for older people across the region.

About the Team/Service/Location

Psychiatry of Older Persons Service is a specialist mental health service dedicated to supporting older adults with complex mental health needs. Our multidisciplinary team is committed to delivering compassionate, culturally safe, and recovery-focused care that promotes independence, wellbeing, and quality of life.

Based in beautiful Northland, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the region’s relaxed lifestyle, stunning coastlines, and close-knit communities.

About You

As a Nurse Practitioner, you will bring extensive clinical expertise, leadership capability, and a passion for improving outcomes for older people and their whānau. You will have:

  • Registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand as a Nurse Practitioner and a current practising certificate
  • A minimum of 5 years experience working within mental health and addictions, ideally with older persons or complex mental health presentations
  • Advanced assessment, diagnostic, prescribing, and treatment planning skills with the ability to work autonomously
  • A strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultural safety, health equity, and person-centred care
  • Excellent leadership, mentoring, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and community providers

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply please click apply now. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by 30 August 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Michelle Apetera at NL-Jobs@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz.

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