Service: Wairarapa Ata Rauru Maternity Services

Location: Wairarapa Hospital

Contract: Permanent - Part Time 0.9 FTE

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

Are you passionate about protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding and improving outcomes for pēpi, whānau and communities?

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to join our Maternity team. This role provides expert clinical lactation support across maternity services while leading and coordinating the organisation's Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) programme.

This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference to breastfeeding and infant feeding outcomes while contributing to quality improvement, staff development and whānau-centred care.

As our Lactation Consultant and BFHI Coordinator you will:

• Provide specialist lactation assessment, support and clinical consultation for women, babies and whānau experiencing complex breastfeeding challenges.
• Lead the coordination and ongoing maintenance of BFHI standards and accreditation requirements.
• Deliver education, coaching and support to maternity, neonatal and paediatric staff.
• Promote evidence-based breastfeeding and infant feeding practices across the organisation.
• Support quality improvement initiatives, data collection and audit activities.
• Collaborate with midwifery, nursing, medical and community teams to optimise breastfeeding outcomes.
• Champion equitable, culturally safe and whānau-centred care.

This role offers a balance of clinical practice, leadership, education and quality improvement work, making it ideal for someone who enjoys influencing positive change across maternity services.

This position will work 72 hours per fortnight (0.9 FTE) Monday - Friday. You will be working within Maternity Services and Paediatrics with a commitment to women and infant health in a multi-cultural environment in the promotion and support of breastfeeding.

About the Team

Join a fun, busy and dedicated team and make a difference to our mothers and their whānau in the Wairarapa region. The Wairarapa has a proven track record of developing innovative models of care through collaboration of primary and secondary health providers. Our maternity services provide care for birthing women in the Wairarapa region, with just under 500 births per annum. We pride ourselves on being quality and improvement focussed with whānau always at the forefront of our care.

About the location

With a largely rural population of almost 50,000 residents, made up of five characterful towns and many rural and coastal communities. Wairarapa is a vibrant place to live, work and enjoy the range of leisure pursuits and entertainment options available.

Learn more about living in the fabulous Wairarapa

About you

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Current International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification.
• Extensive clinical experience in maternity and infant feeding support.
• Strong knowledge and experience of BFHI principles and standards.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and teaching skills.
• Experience supporting quality improvement initiatives and practice development.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultural safety and improving equity of health outcomes.
• The ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.

Previous experience in a BFHI coordination role would be highly advantageous.

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' page by 11.59pm Sunday 20 September 2026.

To learn more about the role, or for a friendly informal conversation please contact Midwife Manager Laura Ashwell on 027 675 5931 or email Laura.Ashwell@wairarapa.dhb.org.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.