Lead multidisciplinary mental health teams across Te Awamutu and surrounding rural communities

Associate Charge Nurse Manager/Associate Team Leader - Rural South

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

We have an exciting opportunity for an Associate Charge Nurse Manager/Associate Team Leader to join our Rural Community Mental Health and Addictions Service.

In this leadership role, you will work across the three key teams within our service:

  • Adult Community Mental Health
  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health
  • Community Alcohol and Drug Services

You will play an important role in supporting the day-to-day operational and clinical functioning of the service, while building and maintaining strong partnerships with NGOs, interagency organisations, and other key stakeholders across our rural communities.

Working closely alongside the Charge Nurse Manager (CNM), you will support the leadership of our multidisciplinary teams and help foster a positive culture of mutual respect, collaboration, safe practice, and high-quality care. You will value and promote contributions from both cultural and clinical perspectives, supporting a service that is responsive to the needs of tangata whai ora and their whānau.

The role is primarily based in Te Awamutu; however, as part of our rural service, you will also travel to Tokoroa, Te Kuiti, and Taumarunui as required to connect with, support, and provide leadership to our teams across these locations.

Key responsibilities:

  • Clinical coordination across the service to enable an effective practice environment.
  • Provide Clinical Leadership for staff and assist with coaching and supervision as delegated.
  • Clear communication with MDT, wider team and community partners.
  • Hold a small caseload of the more complex tangata whai ora across the teams.
  • Be a DAO or have an interest in becoming one.
  • Practice with a tangata whaiora and whanau centred approach and be a strong advocate for best practice.

About the Team/Service

The rural south is a large close-knit team made up of 47 dedicated clinicians who are passionate about providing the best community mental health service possible. We achieve a lot with very little. Our foundation is a family come first culture.

Mental Health and Addictions Services at Waikato delivers a full range of specialty services across the district.

We are committed to making a difference with tāngata whai ora and their whānau through working in partnership to create kotahitanga. We believe in delivering services with a strong recovery focus and a sensitivity to cultural aspects of mental health through applying the Treaty of Waitangi principles into practice.

About You

  • Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth.
  • Experience in upholding Te Tiriti principals and frameworks, and the application of Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches, particularly as they apply in healthcare settings.
  • Passionate about leading a team to support the best interest of tangata whai ora and whanau.
  • Have at least two years of Mental Health Experience working in a Leadership role.
  • Knowledge and understanding of Te Tiriti O Waitangi.
  • Be a registered Nurse, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist.
  • Hold a current full drivers licence.

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 online or apply via our Waikato Careers website.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on 30 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Whitney Senior-Partridge at whitney.senior-partridge@waikatodhb.health.nz.

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.

Job Details

Job Reference: TOK00524

Location: North Island - Waikato - Tokoroa

Job Type: Permanent Full time

Closes: 30-Oct-2026

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