The Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) is seeking candidates who wish to be considered for appointment as a health practitioner or lay member of The Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand – Te Poari o ngā Kaihaumanu Hinengaro o Aotearoa, (the Board) a responsible authority under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the HPCA Act).
About the role – Kōrero mō te tūranga
Being a member of the Board is rewarding and challenging. The purpose of the Board is to protect the health and safety of members of the public by ensuring that health practitioners are fit and competent to practice. You will be committed to improving the health of New Zealanders, through contribution to the governance of the Board’s legislative requirements.
The functions of responsible authorities are set out under section 118 of the HPCA Act. More information about the Board is available on Board's website. A copy of the Board’s terms of reference is available here.
The Associate Minister of Heath, Hon Matt Doocey makes the appointments to the Board, and are typically for terms of three years. Members can be reappointed for up to nine consecutive years.
The Ministry recognises that diversity enables our boards and councils to be high-performing and is committed to ensuring they represent the diversity in New Zealand's population, including gender, ethnicity, disability, age, and geographic location. The Ministry encourages people from all backgrounds, especially those who can reflect the needs, values, and beliefs of Māori, have an understanding of and are committed to meeting the obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, to apply for these roles.
About you – Kōrero mōu
For the layperson, governance and/or regulatory experience is a plus but not required. For both roles it is beneficial if you have the ability to lead strategically, and to balance competing demands.
Health practitioner applicants must be a registered health practitioner under the HPCA Act and will preferably be practising psychotherapists (holding a current annual practising certificate) and have a good understanding of the Board’s scopes of practice, standards of competence, and code of ethics or conduct.
Laypeople cannot be qualified or registered as health practitioners as per section 5 of the HPCA Act.
Preferred health practitioner and lay candidates will have at least some of the following skills or attributes.
Please note that members of a responsible authority board cannot simultaneously be a member of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) under the HPCA Act given the disciplinary function of the Tribunal over health practitioners.
How to apply – Me pēhea te tono
Applications must be made using the Ministry of Health online Career Centre by close of business 26 May 2026 and include:
Due diligence checks will be undertaken for shortlisted applicants. Your personal information will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. The Ministry may also request that the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service conduct national security screening of you as part of the appointment process.
The appointment process can be lengthy, taking up to six months. Your patience and professionalism as we work through the next steps is appreciated. The outcome of the recruitment process for the Board will be confirmed after it has been considered by the Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee.
Who we are – Ko wai mātou
See the Ministry of Health Board appointments webpage for more information.
If you would like to obtain further information or clarification, or if your circumstances change or should you wish to withdraw your application, please contact the Statutory Appointments and Integrity Services team by emailing: appointments@health.govt.nz