Description
- Provide independent statutory, clinical, and regulatory leadership for mental health and addiction services across Aotearoa New Zealand
- Shape longterm 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 livedexperienceinformed system design
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Ministry of Health | Manat 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 rightsbased 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 DirectorGeneral, 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 highrisk clinical matters, and stewardship of longterm 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 systemwide programmes that shape longterm 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 highrisk 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 livedexperience 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
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The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 19 May 2026.
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5418.
Note: Please use HardyGroup's online platform to submit your application. It will not be accepted via email.
If you require assistance in submitting your application online, please get in touch with Executive Search Coordinator, Aldie Zuñiga: M: +61 494 101 082 / E: azuniga@hardygroupintl.com
Your application must include:
1. Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
2. A written response addressing the key selection criteria; and
3. An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
It Is standard practice for HardyGroup to acknowledge receipt of your application no later than the next business day. We request that if you do not receive the acknowledgement, you contact the search coordinator listed above as soon as possible after the 24-hour business period and arrange to resend your application if necessary.
