• Full time, permanent position
• Salary based on relevant skills and experience; mid-point is $123,511
• Auckland based role, within the National Office team led by the Chief Nurse/Director Physical Health

'Kotahi anō te kaupapa, ko te oranga o te iwi' - ‘There is only one purpose to our work:  the wellness and wellbeing of our people

Ngā kawenga | About the role

The Pae Ora - Primary Health Services Team is responsible for Ara Poutama Aotearoa's overall focus on oranga, inclusive of general health, mental health, addictions, and disability. Our priority is to provide services that support the advancement of health equity for Māori. We do this through our strategies, policies and practices. Within prisons we have a multi-disciplinary approach to service provision to ensure we target and meet the needs of the people in our care.

We are looking for a dedicated Clinical Nurse Educator to step into this key leadership position, driving clinical excellence and evidence-based nursing practice. This established role is pivotal in providing education and professional development to the healthcare teams across the motu while ensuring patient safety and quality improvement remain top priorities.

While this position is affiliated with our National Office, the role supports services across multiple regions and is primarily undertaken remotely. The successful candidate will provide support and oversight across prison health services in the Auckland and Northland regions, working closely with local teams and key stakeholders to support operational delivery and service outcomes.

Regular travel throughout the Auckland and Northland regions will be required to build relationships, provide on-site support, and engage with key Pae Ora stakeholders. All approved work-related travel and associated costs will be covered by the department. Applicants should be comfortable working independently across geographically dispersed locations and maintaining strong connections with teams through a combination of virtual and in-person engagement.

This is a fantastic opportunity to influence and foster a culture of continuous improvement, championing best practices in quality and risk management.

Professional registration is required, applicants are asked to apply using the name that appears on their registration record with the relevant professional body. Please ensure your application details align with your registration to avoid delays in verification.

The team led by the Chief Nurse/Director Physical Health is based in the National Office in Wellington, however the team is largely regionally based and ability to operate within a geographically located team is essential.

He kōrero mōu | About you

We are eager to hear from health professionals who can evidence meeting the following requirements within their cover letter and CV:

• A Registered Nurse through the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
• Holds a current PDRP Portfolio and experience as a PDRP assessor are preferred.
• Is organised and methodical but is flexible and can adapt to reflect diverse situations and people.
• Ability to deal positively with challenging situations, demonstrating sound judgement, initiative and a solutions-focused approach.
• Experience in a clinical leadership role, coupled with experience of best practice clinical practice, terminology and procedures.
• Experience of working directly with staff as an expert teaching resource demonstrating adult and contemporary education techniques.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including good attention to detail and concise writing skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and application to all work across the health and disability system.
• Demonstrated experience in working with Māori, whanau, hapu, iwi to maximise health and wellbeing.
• Commitment to working within a Kaupapa Māori health service that incorporates mātauranga Māori and Rongoā Māori practitioners.
• A current driver licence with the ability and willingness to travel across the Auckland region as required. This may also include travel across the motu.

Ngā painga | The benefits

The salary range is $104,985 to $148,214, with midpoint $123,111. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Ko wai mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections) Pae Ora leads the delivery of patient-focused primary health and mental health care services to tangata within corrections facilities across Aotearoa.

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

You can find out more about us here.

Tono ināianei | Apply now

Applications Close 11pm Tuesday, 24 November 2026.

To apply and view the position description, click the application link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency. Applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV/Resume and Cover Letter describing your motivation for joining our department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

If you want to find out more about a career with us visit our careers page or email [email protected].