Kia Ora Hauora
Kia Ora Hauora works to increase the number of Māori working in the health and disability sector. The service engages with Māori students, current health workers, and community members seeking a career in health to promote health careers and provide knowledge, tools and resources to support Māori into clinical and non-clinical health careers. The website includes role profiles, funding, and job search function, linking to job opportunities throughout New Zealand. Sign up for their e-panui to get updates.
The video below is a joint venture between Kia Ora Hauora and Toi Te Ora Public Health with support from Hawkes Bay Population Health to support Māori into a career in public health. For more information on a career in public health see Kia Ora Hauora.
There are many ways to study for and enter public health careers, and many opportunities to learn a bit more about what we do in public health roles. Listed within this page are just some of the study and work pathways you can take to get started in public health roles:
Education & training
Public health can be studied at a number of institutes throughout New Zealand, including Ara Institute of Canterbury, Auckland University of Technology, Massey University, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, and University of Otago. Public health workers can enter the field from a range of backgrounds; however some relevant qualification options which focus on public health pathways are listed below.
Undergraduate study
- Certificate in Public Health
- Bachelor of Applied Science (health promotion or public health majors)
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Science (public health major)
- Bachelor of Community Health (health promotion major)
- Bachelor of Science or Health Science (environmental health, health promotion, health protection or public health majors)
Postgraduate study
- Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health
- Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health
- Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Health Science (environment & health or health & community majors)
Health Protection Officer
In order to practice as a Health Protection Officer, you must hold an appropriate qualification; a Bachelor of Science, Applied Science or Health Science plus a postgraduate qualification in environmental health. You also need to be appointed by the Director-General of Health. More information on recognised qualifications can be found on the Ministry of Health website.
Public Health Physician/ Medical Officer of Health
Public Health Physicians are qualified doctors, with clinical experience, who have also undertaken specialist training in public health medicine. To become a public health physician, you will generally need to complete a Bachelor Degree in Medicine and Surgery and postgraduate public health qualifications.
A Medical Officer of Health is a public health physician who has then gone on to be appointed by the Director-General of Health to carry out a range of legislated public health responsibilities.
Current vacancies
Public health related vacancies can arise in a range of organisations. Public health units, District Health Boards, Māori Health Providers, non-government organisations, tertiary institutions, charities and community groups are just some of the organisations who often recruit to public health roles.
- For Toi Te Ora vacancies please look within the Bay of Plenty District Health Board vacancies.
- For other public health vacancies in the Lakes region, you can search the current Lakes DHB vacancies.
- For vacancies throughout New Zealand, you can also try Kiwi Health Jobs.
Internships and student support
Toi Te Ora supports student development opportunities where service commitments and space allows. To enquire about possible opportunities, please contact us.
PGY2 and Registrars
Toi Te Ora is able to support PGY2 doctors and public health registrars with experience and placement as capacity allows. To find out more about this programme, please contact our Public Health Development Advisor.
Health Protection Officer internships
Toi Te Ora provides an opportunity for health protection trainees to gain the practical experience they need in order to apply for designation as an HPO. The opportunity is offered to one student per year, and implemented over the summer months.
Updated 24 Mar, 2022