About the role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi

We have a unique opportunity for someone to make a real impact through their work, being a part of the Ka Awatea Transition to Adulthood Service in Tamaki Makaurau/Auckland region. This is a Full-time position, 40 hours per week. The office is based in New Lynn.

The Kai Atawhai | Transition worker’s role is to provide an ongoing and supported transition for rangatahi from long-term care or youth justice residential placement, to help them get a good start to their adult lives. The role will assist rangatahi in the development of skills and knowledge over time, support them to develop and learn from their experiences with a focus on building and strengthening a network of support, which can sustain into their adult lives. For rangatahi Māori especially, this role will actively support them to develop their cultural identity through a variety of opportunities.

About You | Mōu

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• Have an understanding of rangatahi who have complex behavioural needs
• Bachelors/Master's degree in counselling, social work, psychology, psychotherapy, or other related health field
• Registered/ registerable with a professional body
• Ability to build strong relationships with peers and stakeholders
• Have a full and clean New Zealand driver's licence
• Be willing to undergo Ministry of Social Development (MSD) check and police vetting
• High level of resilience.
• Have the willingness and ability to uphold the mana of our organisation by embracing tikanga Māori as part of best practice.
• Have a strong sense of whānau values.
• A passion for helping young people strengthen and build on their character by developing sustainable life skills.
• Knowledge and understanding about the impacts of colonisation for tangata whenua, and for Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Ability and willingness to work with tangata whenua in a way that upholds our organisational commitments and obligations to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

What we offer | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou

• Flexible working environment
• Career progression Supervision and professional development opportunities in both Western and indigenous knowledge bases.
• 24/7 senior leadership support, practice support from a team of professionals with a wide range of experience
• A comprehensive orientation and induction programme, including noho marae.
• Be a part of our 4 Day workweek (4DWW). The 4DWW will see our kaimahi retain 100 percent of their pay, while working 80 percent (or close to) of the time and still delivering 100 percent on the great mahi we do.
• Paid birthday leave
• Employee Assistance Programme

About Kia Puāwai

We are a non-profit tangata Tiriti organisation which specialises in providing therapeutic services for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau who have complex behaviour and/or mental health needs.

Our innovative approach combines Western evidence-based models with mātauranga Māori and Pasifika knowledge. We work in a trauma informed way that acknowledges the impacts of colonisation for tangata whenua and indigenous peoples of Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, including how and why members of these communities may require our services.

Our organisational tikanga: aroha, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and wairuatanga help us to define what best practice is for working with tangata whenua in Aotearoa.

As a tangata Tiriti organisation, we are committed to upholding our obligations to He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We strive to deliver equitable outcomes through the designing and delivery of effective and appropriate services for tangata whenua and Pasifika.

Our national office is in Tāmaki Makaurau, and we have over 150 staff and caregivers supporting young people and their whānau across Te Taitokerau, greater Tāmaki, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, and the lower areas of Te Ika o Māui and Te Wai Pounamu. To find out more about Kia Puāwai, visit www.kiapuawai.nz

Closing date | Rā Katinga 8 January 2026. Please note that we review applications as we receive these and we may remove the advert before the closing date if we find a suitable candidate. Please note the official title of the role is Personal Advisor - Kai Atawhai.

Position Description: please request a position description from recruitment@kiapuawai.nz

Contact: If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Carmen Atama: carmen.atama@kiapuawai.nz.

We welcome and encourage diversity and inclusion in our workforce and adhere to best practice equal employment opportunity principles in all aspects of our recruitment and our ways of working.  Kia Puāwai is Rainbow Tick accredited.