Midwife Manager – Maternity Ward

• 1.0FTE (40 hours per week)
• Fixed-term position from June 2026 – April 2027
• Maternity Ward (High risk Antenatal & Postnatal Inpatient), Christchurch Women’s Hospital

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

Ready to lead culture, not just a service?
This is a rare opportunity to shape both clinical excellence and workplace culture within one of Aotearoa’s leading maternity services.

We are seeking an experienced Midwife Manager to lead our Antenatal & Postnatal Inpatient Ward, a pivotal role where your leadership will directly influence outcomes for māmā, pēpi, whānau, and the wellbeing of your team. This role is a 11-month secondment from 8^th June 2026 to 30^th April 2027.

About the Role

You will provide visible, values-driven leadership across a 24/7 inpatient service, ensuring safe, equitable and high-quality care while building a workplace where people feel valued, heard and supported.

Central to your success will be your ability to foster a just culture grounded in respect, trust and collaboration, where staff feel safe to speak up, are treated fairly, and are supported to deliver their best.

You will:

• Ensure cultural responsiveness, uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensure equitable outcomes for Māori and other minority groups.
• Drive patient flow and discharges.
• Lead a high-performing team with a focus on psychological safety and accountability.
• Partner in good faith with unions and stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of learning, not blame, in response to incidents and feedback.
• Have financial /budget accountability.
• Be responsible for rostering and staff management and supporting interface with LMCs.
• Manage complaints.
• Thrive for innovation and service improvement.
• Work as part of a network of midwife managers across Canterbury and West Coast. 

At the heart of your leadership is ensuring māmā and pēpi receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

About You

You are a Senior Midwifery leader who understands that strong culture underpins safe care.

You bring:

• Proven leadership in maternity inpatient settings.
• Sound clinical expertise in antenatal and postnatal care.
• Experience fostering a just, respectful and collaborative team culture.
• Strong understanding of MERAS/NZNO/PSA workforce expectations.
• Confidence in managing complexity, conflict, and change.
• Commitment to equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Registered with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand with a current APC.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. 

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by Thursday 21^st May.  If you have any questions about the role, please contact Victoria at Victoria.Steiner@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

Position description Apply now

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