Clinical Nurse Specialist - Puawai - Forensic Mental Health Service

Waikato Hospital, Hamilton – Medium secure rehabilitation wards – Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre & Puawai forensic mental health service. Permanent, full‑time position (80 hours per fortnight). The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will provide clinical expertise to nursing leaders and nurses, ensuring the health needs of taangatawaeora are identified and met, and support the delivery of safe, effective, and recovery‑focused care.

• Provide specialist nursing care and expertise in care delivery and staff support.
• Research, evaluate, develop and implement standards of nursing practice in a forensic setting.
• Lead the development of pathways, protocols and guidelines in forensic mental health nursing.
• Engage and collaborate with all stakeholders, including taangatawaeora and whānau.
• Support the pursuit of Māori health gains and equitable health outcomes for Māori.

• Experience in upholding TeTiriti principles and frameworks, and applying Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches in healthcare settings.
• Registered Nurse with 3‑4 years of clinical experience in a forensic mental health setting.
• Completed a postgraduate qualification in mental health nursing.
• Ability to complete postgraduate studies in forensic mental health.
• Achieved or working towards an expert PDRP level of practice.
• Ability to display initiative and resourcefulness to navigate a variety of challenges.
• Ability to role‑model the Standards of Mental Health Nursing in Aotearoa; membership of TeAoMaaramata NZ College of Mental Health Nurses is preferred.

The CNS will work across PunaPoiPoi and PunaTaupua, the medium secure forensic rehabilitation wards. PunaPoiPoi has 11 beds, primarily male taangatawaeora. PunaTaupua has 10 beds, primarily female taangatawaeora, with a strong focus on gender‑responsive care. The multidisciplinary team includes nurses, mental health assistants, doctors, psychologists, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, Takawaenga and activities facilitators. The CNS will support staff and foster a therapeutic environment while managing risk and safety.

To apply, submit your application through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on 31July2026. For questions regarding the role, please contact Robyn Payne at [email protected]. Applications may be reviewed as received and the recruitment process may proceed before the closing date.

We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.