Director Pae Ora - Northern Region

About this role

Director Pae Ora – Northern Region

Lead transformative health, disability and rehabilitation services across our Northern region covering from Northland to Waikato.

Join a team that welcomes fresh thinking, works collaboratively on complex challenges, and is driven to improve outcomes for the people and whānau we serve. As Director Pae Ora, you will shape how health, disability and rehabilitation are prioritised, delivered, and continuously strengthened across Ara Poutama Aotearoa.

Ngā kawenga | About the role

We are seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking senior leader to step into the role of Director Pae Ora – Northern Region. This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of health, disability and offence‑focused rehabilitation services across both community and custodial settings.

In this role, you will:

• Drive innovation - Champion new thinking and collaborative approaches to address complex health, disability and rehabilitation challenges, lifting outcomes for people in our care and their whānau.
• Lead at a systems level - Take a holistic, Department‑wide view, working across functions and with external partners to build new ways of working, inspire collective ownership, and position Pae Ora to deliver enduring change.
• Provide strategic direction - Ensure health, disability and rehabilitation are central to how services operate across our sites and communities, shaping delivery systems that are safe, connected, and impactful.
• Strengthen operational excellence - Grow and guide a diverse team, support safe practice, and embed evidence‑based and culturally grounded approaches that uplift wellbeing and performance.
• Represent the region and build influence - Travel within the region to work with local teams and partners, champion Pae Ora, and foster relationships that contribute to better outcomes for our communities.

If you are a courageous, experienced leader with expertise in health, disability and/or rehabilitation and you thrive in environments where innovation, diversity, and impact matter, we encourage you to apply. You can find out more about the Pae Ora directorate here.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You are a visionary, people‑centred leader who places individuals and their whānau at the heart of decision‑making. You bring a growth mindset, critical thinking, and cultural competence, including a proven ability to work effectively with and for Māori. We are looking for someone who demonstrates:

• Values‑driven leadership - A commitment to fostering an inclusive culture, uplifting Te Ao Māori worldviews, and building cultural capability in yourself and others.
• Transparency and strong relationships - The ability to create and sustain trusted networks across all levels, internally and externally. You approach difficult conversations with compassion, respect, and curiosity.
• Commitment to people development - A passion for building capability, supporting professional growth, and nurturing collaboration across diverse teams and disciplines.

Utu ā-tau | Salary

The salary range for this position is $225,160 – $264,894 (Mid) – $317,873, with appointment based on skills and experience aligned to the role.

Ko wai mātou | About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, 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.

Learn more about us here.

Tono ināianei | Apply now

Applications close 11pm Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

To apply, please submit a cover letter outlining your motivation for joining Ara Poutama Aotearoa and your relevant skills and experience. Please include a tailored CV. As alignment to our kaupapa is essential, we encourage you to include examples that reflect our organisational values.

We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. If you need reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know.

For more information about careers with us, visit our careers page or contact careers@corrections.govt.nz