Lead efforts to expand community pharmacy involvement in immunisation across Te Manawa Taki

Pharmacy Engagement Lead - Hamilton - NPHS

Lead pharmacy engagement across Te Manawa Taki to strengthen community pharmacy as a targeted access pathway for immunisation, prevention and priority public health initiatives. Support pharmacies to improve childhood and life-course vaccination access, reduce missed opportunities and deliver practical prevention activity for Māori and priority communities. Full-time, 9-month fixed-term position.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders. We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities. Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.

About the Role

As Pharmacy Engagement Lead, you will work with community pharmacies across Te Manawa Taki to strengthen their role in improving access to immunisation, prevention and priority public health initiatives. The role will support the regional immunisation programme by improving childhood and life-course vaccination access, reducing missed opportunities, and contributing to public health emergency responses where required. You will onboard, support and mentor pharmacy teams, strengthen capability in immunisation, cold chain and AIR requirements, and use local data and insights to target support where it will have the greatest impact. You will help identify and test pharmacy-based public health interventions, build system relationships, and support measurable improvements in access and outcomes, with a clear focus on Māori and priority populations.

About the Service

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) within Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, work towards Pae Ora (healthy futures) for all by engaging with the wider determinants that impact people's health, focusing on oranga/wellbeing, prevention, protection, and population-level intervention. We are connected across boundaries to deliver public health services that are nationally planned, regionally delivered and locally tailored.

About you

You will be a registered pharmacist with strong immunisation knowledge and a commitment to improving equitable access to preventative healthcare. You will bring excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to support, mentor and influence pharmacy teams, work collaboratively across the health system, and turn local insights into practical action. You will also bring:

  • A current pharmacist practising certificate and in-depth knowledge of the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule.
  • Experience managing health behaviours and vaccine hesitancy, along with cold-chain management and strong record-keeping skills.
  • Experience applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi in practice and a commitment to improving outcomes for Māori.
  • Strong planning, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to clarify priorities, support implementation and maintain momentum in a complex regional environment.
  • A clean New Zealand driver licence and willingness to travel across the Te Manawa Taki region.
  • Ideally, experience in community pharmacy, childhood vaccinations, health promotion or public health.

Working for 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 Monday, 05 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Maria Bennett via maria.bennett1@tewhatuora.govt.nz.

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