Psychiatrist – Wāhi Oranga (Inpatient Mental Health Unit)

Psychiatrist – Wāhi Oranga (Inpatient Mental Health Unit)

Location: Hillmorton Hospital, Christchurch
Employment type: Permanent, 0.5-0.7 FTE (fulltime work is available)

Step into a pivotal role within one of Aotearoa’s most comprehensive specialist mental health services. As a SMO at Hillmorton Hospital’s Wāhi Oranga inpatient extended care unit, you will influence care, champion recovery-focused practice, and work alongside a passionate team dedicated to improving mental health outcomes for tāngata whaiora and their whānau across Waitaha Canterbury.

Enjoy a competitive salary package, excellent clinical support, ongoing professional development, and the opportunity to thrive in a region offering an outstanding lifestyle—mountains, beaches, and vibrant city living all at your doorstep.

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.

About the Role

As a SMO within the service, you will provide high-quality psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and ongoing management for adults requiring extended (sub-acute) inpatient mental health care.
You will be part of an experienced, collaborative, and culturally responsive multidisciplinary team including nursing, allied health, and specialist Māori mental health services (Te Korowai Atawhai).

Your clinical leadership will help shape service delivery, support junior medical staff, and contribute to continuous quality improvement. This role offers variety, complexity, professional growth, and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of our tāngata whaiora.

About the Team / Service / Location

Wāhi Oranga is a 16 bed extended care inpatient mental health unit based at Hillmorton hospital, providing safe, therapeutic, and evidence-based care for the Waitaha Canterbury region.

Wāhi Oranga provides extended care and rehabilitation, centred on a recovery-based programme that enables people with mental health issues to live fulfilling lives in the community.
Our team values collaboration, cultural partnership, and a strong recovery-focused approach. Hillmorton is the specialist mental health campus for Canterbury, home to a wide range of services and subspecialties, offering excellent collegial support and opportunities for cross-service collaboration.

Wāhi Oranga is part of the Adult inpatient group which consists of 2 sub-acute extended care units (Wāhi Oranga and Wāhi Tautoko), and an acute 64 bed inpatient unit (Te Awakura).

Why is this a great role

•  Join a dynamic and highly skilled extended care team with a MDT focus.

•  While this is a 0.5-0.7 role, it can be combined with working in other parts of our service to allow you to work the hours you want to.

•  Live and work in a vibrant, affordable city that offers the best of the outdoors, arts, culture, food and family life.

About You

You will bring:

• Vocational registration (or eligibility for vocational registration) with the Medical Council of New Zealand in Psychiatry
• Experience working in adult mental health, ideally within an inpatient setting
• A commitment to Te Tiriti-based practice and engagement with Māori models of care
• Strong communication and multidisciplinary teamwork skills
• A commitment to service development, quality improvement, and supporting registrars and medical students

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 serve our communities. 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.
If you have any questions about the role, please contact Amy.Walker@tewhatuora.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may progress the recruitment process prior to the closing date.