About the Role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi
This is more than just a job – it’s an opportunity to be part of a kaupapa that uplifts tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau. As a Functional Family Therapist, you’ll provide intensive, in-home, whānau-focused support to families navigating complex emotional, behavioural, or mental health challenges.
FFT is currently one of the very few evidence-based family interventions that addresses relational challenges, conflict and risk behaviours (e.g. offending), in a strength-focused and empowering way. You’ll be trained to deliver Functional Family Therapy.
We offer three FFT pathways tailored to different needs:
- FFT-Standard: Supporting rangatahi aged 10–18, often referred via Oranga Tamariki.
- FFT-Cross Generations (Pae Whakatupuranga): Supporting rangatahi and young adults aged 10–24, referred through Youth Justice, Police, or Corrections.
- FFT-Child Welfare: Supporting whānau where parental risk factors affect tamariki/rangatahi aged 0–18. Referrals may come from agencies, GPs, DHBs, or whānau themselves.
About You | Mōu ake
To be considered for this role, you’ll bring:
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, counselling, psychotherapy, psychology or similar.
- Social worker, counsellor, psychotherapist, psychologist or occupational therapist with a full or provisional registration with SWRB, NZAC, NZCCA, PBANZ, NZ Psychologists Board, DPAANZ or OTBNZ.
- Experience with clinical therapeutic modalities such as CBT, Motivational Interviewing, DBT or similar is preferred but not essential.
- Flexibility in work hours and ability to travel across Auckland.
- A full, clean NZ driver’s licence.
- Willingness to undergo MSD and police vetting.
- Resilience and adaptability in working with diverse whānau and complex situations.
- Deep whānau values and a passion for empowering young people.
- Understanding of colonisation’s impact on tangata whenua.
- A commitment to tikanga Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and culturally responsive practice.
- Strong relationship-building skills
- Eligible to work in New Zealand
What We Offer | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou
At Kia Puāwai, we value our kaimahi and provide a supportive, enriching environment:
- Comprehensive induction including noho marae
- Comprehensive training in an evidence-based family therapy model and ongoing support and supervision to develop competence and mastery of the model
- 24/7 senior leadership and practice support
- Training in Te Ao Māori framework of working with whānau and embedding this into practice.
- Flexible working environment
- Company vehicle for work travel
- 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) – Kaimahi retain 100% of pay, work 80% time (or close to – role/workload dependant), 100% productivity delivery.
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Paid birthday leave
This role is covered by the Social Worker Pay Equity Settlement Extension. Remuneration will be discussed based on your experience.
About Kia Puāwai – He kōrero mō Kia Puāwai
We are a non-profit tangata Tiriti organisation specialising in therapeutic services for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau with complex behavioural and/or mental health needs.
Our innovative approach blends Western evidence-based models with mātauranga Māori and Pasifika knowledge. We work in a trauma-informed way that acknowledges the impacts of colonisation on tangata whenua and indigenous peoples of Te Moana Nui a Kiwa.
Our organisational tikanga – aroha, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and wairuatanga – guide our best practice 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, striving for equitable outcomes through effective and culturally appropriate services.
Our national office is in Tāmaki Makaurau, with over 160 staff and caregivers supporting young people and their whānau across Te Tai Tokerau, greater Tāmaki, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, and the lower areas of Te Ika a Māui and Te Wai Pounamu. Learn more at www.kiapuawai.nz
Closing Date | Rā Katinga: 16 January 2026
Please note: We will be taking a break from the 19th of December 2025 until the 5th of January 2026 and will review all applications on our return.
Position Description & Contact
To request a position description, email: recruitment@kiapuawai.nz
For questions about the role, contact one of our Practice Leaders:
- Vijay Mahantesh – vijay.mahantesh@kiapuawai.nz
- Anya Sadykova – anya.sadykova@kiapuawai.nz
Ngā mihi nui
Menā e ngākaunui ana koe ki tēnei mahi, whakapā mai mō ngētehi atu kōrero ki raro nei.
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 ways of working. Kia Puāwai is Rainbow Tick accredited.
.png)
