Health Improvement Practitioner (Pouora)
Health Hawke’s Bay – Te Oranga o Te Matau-a-Māui is looking for a dynamic Health Improvement Practitioner to join our innovative and progressive team providing behavioural health interventions within general practice.
We currently have a full-time HIP opportunity based in Napier
Ko wai mātou | About Us
Health Hawke’s Bay – Te Oranga o Te Matau-a-Māui is an established Primary Health Organisation (PHO), within the Hawkes Bay. We work in partnership with General Practices to improve health outcomes and life expectancy across Hawke’s Bay, particularly for Māori and other under-served groups. Our mahi focuses on supporting communities, whānau and providers to achieve sustainable health gains, and equitable health outcomes.
At Health Hawke's Bay, we're more than just a workplace; we're a whānau committed to supporting each other on our Te Ao Māori journey. Our culture fosters inclusion, respect, and growth, empowering every individual to thrive professionally and personally.
Underpinning our mahi and everything we do are our values Whakamana (Empower), Aroha (Compassion), Kotahitanga (Collaboration) and Auaha (Innovation).
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi| About the Role
Health Improvement Practitioners | Pouora are an emerging workforce in New Zealand.
A Pouora is a registered practitioner based within general practice teams to deliver behavioural health interventions. Pouora work directly with individuals and their families to help improve their overall mental and physical health and wellbeing and provide consultation and advice to other members of the general practice team.
As a Pouora you provide half hour sessions with people experiencing any thoughts, feelings or behaviours that are impacting their overall wellbeing. Pouora are generalists in their approach to supporting people with their health and wellbeing concerns. Pouora can also provide group sessions for a range of issues of such as insomnia, gout, anxiety, or cardiovascular disease.
To find out more about the Pouora (HIP) role check out this video https://vimeo.com/413775821
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience
You will be a fully registered health professional with one of the following authorities: Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act (HPCA), DAPAANZ, OTRB, NCNZ, NZAC, or the Social Work Registration Board (SWRB). Te Whatu Ora accreditation is also required for applicants who hold NZAC full registration. It is essential that you have clinical experience providing evidence-based behavioural intervention and use reflective practice as a tool for growth and development.
In this role you will be making a significant impact of the health and wellbeing within the community, whilst enjoying the opportunity to work as part of an innovative and dynamic team providing holistic health interventions. You will have an abundance of opportunity to use your skills and experience within a transformational model of care.
In addition you will also need to:
Be willing to embrace tikanga Māori
Have a good understanding of and able to deliver talking therapy modalities for example FACT, ACT, CBT
Have organisational and time management skills
Learn quickly and be able to adapt to ever changing situations
Be self motivated and experienced in practicing autonomously
Be open to change and motivated to implement new ways of working
Be an excellent communicator and work in a collaborative, respectful, supportive, and sensitive way
Hold a current full New Zealand Driver’s Licence
You will have a genuine interest in improving health outcomes for Māori and other underserved populations in our community, as well as a desire to understand and implement Māori models of care.
If you are the successful candidate, you will be required to undertake our mandatory training via Te Pou over a period of six months in order to be fully endorsed as a HIP (Pouora).
Health Hawkes Bay welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
We strive to have a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, including, Māori, Pacific people, people with disabilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people, and people 18 years and older.
We believe in building an inclusive workforce that sees human difference as a strength and supports our vision for an inclusive Aotearoa.
Ngā Paearu | The box-ticking stuff
Only applicants that are fully registered health professionals will be considered.
Only applicants with the right to work in New Zealand should apply for this role.
Applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Conviction Check and will also need meet safety checking requirements as per the vulnerable Children’s Act 2014.
Applicants must have a clean and full driver’s license.
Tonoa mai | How to apply
Hit the “apply now” button and send us your CV and cover letter. You can contact Tracey at [email protected] to find out more about the role or to request a job description.
For further information about Health Hawkes Bay, please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Health-Hawkes-Bay or view our website https://healthhb.co.nz/
The closing date for applications is 10pm Monday, 26th October 2026.
We may contact candidates as applications are received, so please apply without delay.