- Provide independent statutory, clinical, and regulatory leadership for mental health and addiction services across Aotearoa New Zealand
- Shape long‑term system direction, steward major reform programmes, and uphold safe, lawful, and humane compulsory care
- Lead at national level to strengthen quality, equity, Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments, and lived‑experience‑informed system design
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora seeks an exceptional clinical and system leader to serve as the Director of Mental Health and Addiction. This is a nationally significant statutory position, responsible for ensuring the safe, effective, and rights‑based operation of compulsory mental health and addiction treatment across New Zealand.
Reporting to the Deputy Director ‑ General – Regulatory Services, the Director provides authoritative advice to the Minister of Health and Director‑General, exercising statutory powers under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 and the Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 2017.
The role spans oversight of national system performance, leadership of complex and high‑risk clinical matters, and stewardship of long‑term strategic reform. With a mandate to influence system settings, legislation, quality, safety, and equity, the Director plays a pivotal part in strengthening public trust and shaping the future of mental health and addiction in New Zealand.
THE ROLE
This role provides national statutory, clinical, and regulatory leadership for mental health and addiction services across Aotearoa New Zealand. As the Director, you will exercise independent powers under the Mental Health Act and Substance Addiction Act, ensuring compulsory care is delivered lawfully, safely, and humanely. You will lead strategic system‑wide programmes that shape long‑term service direction, strengthen quality and performance, and enhance national consistency.
The position requires providing authoritative advice to Ministers and senior officials, guiding responses to complex and high‑risk clinical matters, and stewarding major reform in a politically sensitive environment. Operating as a visible national leader, you will foster strong partnerships across the health system, champion Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity, and embed lived‑experience perspectives to improve outcomes for all communities.
THE CANDIDATE
You are a highly respected psychiatrist with deep clinical and statutory expertise, capable of navigating complexity with independence, courage, and sound judgement. You bring national credibility, strong regulatory acumen, and proven senior leadership experience within large, complex health or public sector environments.
You excel in managing political, clinical, legal, and system tensions, and you are skilled at influencing across government, professional bodies, and the wider sector. Collaborative, strategic, and unwavering in upholding rights and safety, you bring the confidence, resilience, and integrity required of New Zealand’s most senior mental health and addiction statutory leader.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Pete Carter
HG Principal Consultant, Australia & New Zealand
M. +61 (0)448 729 077 | M. +64 (0)27 287 5937
E. pcarter@hardygroupintl.com
HOW TO APPLY
The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 19 May 2026
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5418
Ready to make people your organisation’s greatest asset?