About the role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi

Kia Puāwai is looking for an experienced Practice Leader to lead our Fostercare team in the Hawkes Bay.  If you have a passion for working with rangatahi, coaching caregivers, experience leading a team and are looking for a challenging and rewarding role, we'd like to hear from you!

Working alongside our social worker, the practice leader is responsible for ensuring the individual treatment needs of each rangatahi are met, guided by trauma-informed practice and social learning theory, to teach skills to rangatahi which will help them navigate life.  Coaching caregivers to meet these treatment needs is a core part of the role, as well as working alongside Oranga Tamariki and other key stakeholders.  While this is a remote role, you’ll collaborate closely with a team that values regular interaction.

About You | He kōrero mōu ake

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• A relevant tertiary qualification and registration to one of the following:
• Has full registration with one of the following:
  • Social Workers Registration Board
  • NZ Association of Counsellors
  • NZ Psychologists Board
  • The Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa / NZ
• A passion for working with tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau with complex needs.
• Have proven experience achieving positive outcomes with rangatahi.
• Knowledge and understanding about the impacts of colonisation for tangata whenua, and for Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Ability and willingness to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Ability to build strong relationships with peers and stakeholders
• Competency with tikanga and te reo Māori is advantageous or a commitment to starting your journey into Te Ao Māori whilst taking ownership of your learning and growth.
• Have the availability to be rostered on-call on, which receives additional remuneration.
• Have a full New Zealand driver's license, and undergo Ministry of Social Development (MSD) check and police vetting

About Kia Puāwai | He kōrero mō Kia Puāwai

We are a tangata Tiriti NGO which specialises in providing therapeutic services for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau who have complex behavioural 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 meeting 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.

We have over 160 staff and caregivers supporting tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau across Te Tai Tokerau, greater Tāmaki, Waikato, Te Moana a Toi, Te Matau a Māui, and the lower areas of Te Ika o Māui and Te Wai Pounamu. To find out more about Kia Puāwai, visit www.kiapuawai.nz

What we offer | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou

• Enjoy the benefits of a 4-Day Work week, which sees 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.
• Flexible working environment
• Full induction and comprehensive training in the evidence-based model of care we use in our Fostercare services, the Teaching Family Model.
• Career progression 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.
• Paid birthday leave

Closing date | Rā Katinga 3rd of April 2026.

Please also note that we may remove the advert before the closing date if we find a suitable candidate.

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

Contact: If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Nicky Buckley 021452910.  

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 our ways of working. Kia Puāwai is Rainbow Tick accredited.