Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
Location: Wellington Regional Hospital
Contract: Fixed-term to April 2026, full-time
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we - re building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.
About the role
We are looking for a skilled and passionate individual to work as a Lived Experience Lead within Mental Health, Intellectual Disability, and Addictions Services (MHAIDS) in the Wellington Locality.
Lived Experience Leads are people with lived experience of mental distress and/or addiction and recovery. They have experience with accessing secondary (community team) or tertiary (inpatient unit) mental health and/or addiction services and want to use that experience to bring about systemic change. Lived Experience Leads are system-focused leaders and work in collaboration with the Operations Manager and Clinical Lead to provide a lived experience perspective within the organisation.
In this role you will ensure the lived experience perspective is presented, valued and implemented in decision-making, policy and quality improvement projects. You will be based at Wellington Hospital, but you will regularly work at various locations in Wellington and with the Lived Experience Advisory Team at their Kenepuru Hospital office.
This role is fixed-term to April 2026 to backfill a secondment, and salary range will be $100,000 - $110,000 (pro-rated).
About our team
The Lived Experience Advisory Team is currently a team of seven people. We have Lived Experience Advisors working within inpatient units, youth services, serious event reviews, and staff learning and development. We have a Team Leader who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Lived Experience Advisory Team.
Our team is also part of a larger MHAIDS Lived Experience Team that includes the Director of Lived Experience and Engagement who represents the lived experience voice at the Senior Leadership Team level. There are also three Lived Experience Leads who work within our adult community mental health services across Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Wellington, Kapiti and Porirua.
The team work closely with relevant internal and external stakeholders (local/regional/national) to advise and assist in the development of strategies and processes required to achieve successful outcomes for people with lived experience.
Moū - About you
Our ideal candidate will have personal lived experience of accessing secondary or tertiary mental health and/or addiction services and can share appropriate and relevant experiences to influence systemic change. You will uphold peer values and have an understanding of recovery that is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and wellbeing orientated. It is important you have an understanding of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how they apply to the health sector, and are committed to improving health equity for Māori, Pacific peoples and priority populations.
Other skills and experience we are looking for include:
- An understanding of the lived experience and peer workforce as well as experience in project, advisory and group work.
- Can work alongside people with differences in opinion and move collectively towards a common goal.
- Can recognise and champion the voices of current tāngata whai ora in quality improvement, service design and delivery.
- Can effectively communicate information to diverse audiences using recovery-focused language.
- Knows the relevant rights, legislation, policies and standards. E.g. Health and Disability Code of Consumer Rights.
- Applies and demonstrates recovery, self-care and stress management strategies.
If you are passionate about and have used adult mental health and addiction services and would like to use your lived experience to make a difference, then we'd like to hear from you.
Working at Health New Zealand
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is - the weaving of wellness - . We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations. We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community.
How to Apply
To apply please click - apply now. - All applications must be submitted through our online careers - portal by 11th May. If you have any questions about the role, please contact lucy.britland@tewhatuora.govt.nz
We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advertisement.