Director of Nursing and Professional Services

NZNO National Office, Wellington

Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa: The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO), is the leading and largest organisation of Nurses in Aotearoa New Zealand. In its role as the lead voice of nursing, its advocacy and action covers the professional, industrial and political interests of nurses. An exciting vacancy has now occurred in our staff for the position of Director of Nursing and Professional Services.

This role works with our leadership, member groups and members more widely, in ensuring that the voice of nurses is central to health decision making and that the profession as represented by NZNO is widely recognised and supported for its professionalism and its commitment. The Director will lead that works within NZNO and support member leadership in that activity and action.

Our commitment to Te Tiriti, as reflected in our new Constitution means that a focus on Māori on health and the Māori nursing workforce is first and foremost in framing what we do and how we do it.

Our strategic direction is Maranga Mai! This sets out our goals and areas of focus for our pathways to achieve our purpose: To win a quality health system that is patient and whānau centred with the necessary political and resourcing commitments needed to address the crisis permanently, across the whole health sector.

As NZNO also represents midwives, health care assistants, Kaiāwhina and a number of other health sector roles, the Director role also extends to ensuring their professional voice is heard and their professional needs addressed.

At a time when the health sector is under severe stress heavily impacting on nurses and other health sector workers, the Director will play a significant role in pressing for a health system that meets the needs of the Aotearoa population, is capable of addressing the health needs of Māori and ensures nurses are resourced to do the work and can offer the care to which they are committed.

As such they will be expected to establish professional relationships with agencies within the health sector both public and private, other nursing groups, health employers, regulatory bodies and other health sector unions.

The Director leads a national team of Professional Nurse Advisors who support nurses in their mahi. The Director will also lead our support of NZNO Colleges and Sections and is supported in that work by our Professional Nurse Advisors.

The role also extends to leading our small Professional Services team which handles policy and submissions for NZNO. This is supported by our Information Services team.

The Director will be part of the Senior Leadership Team and NZNO responsible for the implementing our strategic direction and plans.

We are looking for a senior registered nurse with significant leadership experience both in leading teams but also in making a real difference. The successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate experience in working right across the health sector. They will have strong advocacy skills, can quickly develop effective teams and a commitment to unions.

This full-time position is based in the Wellington National Office of NZNO.

Applications close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 19 August 2026

Four vacancies

Mapu Maia Ltd | Hawke’s Bay

We have vacancies for the following positions:

• Medical Receptionist
• Practice Manager
• Registered Nurse (Registered Nurse Prescriber applicants welcome)
• Nurse Practitioner

These roles establish the Mapu Maia Hawke's Bay Primary Care Clinic.

Mapu Maia is a Pacific-led organisation providing holistic, culturally appropriate, and effective services to individuals, families, and communities.

We walk alongside people, nurture the Va, and deliver services with professional excellence, cultural safety and integrity.

The roles are all permanent full-time, based in Hastings.

Applications close 19 August 2026.

District Nursing Clinical Coordinator

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Motueka

Are you a registered nurse with expert clinical knowledge and strong leadership skills? This could be the position for you! Join Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Nelson Marlborough in this permanent, part-time (0.9 FTE) Clinical Nurse Coordinator role based in Motueka. Lead community palliative care, support and mentor nursing staff, and drive high-quality, patient-centred care across urban and rural district nursing services.

Applications close 17 August 2026.

2026 Nursing Council Election: Nominations Now Open

Nominations are now open for the 2026 election of three nurse members to the Nursing Council. This is an opportunity for members of the nursing profession to contribute directly to the governance of nursing regulation in New Zealand. Successful candidates will serve a three-year term.

Any nurse who is registered with the Council and holds a current Annual Practising Certificate, as at 5:00pm Thursday 9 July 2026 is eligible to be nominated.

Nurses considering standing as a candidate are encouraged to read all the nomination material, available at www.electionz.com/NC2026resource.

Warwick Lampp of electionz.com Ltd has been appointed as Deputy Returning Officer for the election. All nurses enrolled and registered with the Council and holding a current Annual Practising Certificate, as at 5:00pm Thursday 9 July 2026 will be included on the voting roll and will receive voting information from [email protected].

Key election dates are as follows:

• Nominations open - Wednesday 3 June 2026
• Nominations close - 5:00pm, Thursday 9 July 2026
• Voting opens - Monday 4 August 2026
• Voting closes - 5:00pm Friday 11 September 2026

Completed nominations must be received by the Deputy Returning Officer no later than 5:00pm on Thursday 9 July 2026. Each nomination must include a nomination declaration, biographic sketch, statement to voters, recent photo and duty to disclose form.

All required documents must be submitted by email to the Deputy Returning Officer at [email protected] before the close of nominations. Please note that late nominations will not be accepted.

For further information about the election, contact the election helpline on 0800 666 045.