About the role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi

At Kia Puāwai we are passionate about foster care and ensuring rangatahi have a home where they can grow and flourish.

The Social Worker plays an important role in achieving this. You will work alongside rangatahi in our care, supporting them to have a voice, express their tino rangatiratanga and have their needs understood and advocated for. You will build meaningful relationships with rangatahi, whānau and other professionals to support positive outcomes and help create environments where young people can thrive.

A key part of this role is also working alongside Oranga Tamariki caregivers. Through our Ahi Kā programme, you will provide caregivers with the confidence, education and practical skills they need to provide care for tamariki and rangatahi in their homes. 

This full-time 40-hour-per-week position is based in Northland/Te Tai Tokerau. You will need to be highly mobile, as the role involves travelling throughout the Te Tai Tokerau region to engage directly with rangatahi and caregivers in their communities.

About you | He kōrero mōu ake

To be considered for this role, you will need to:

• Hold a relevant social work qualification and current registration.
• Have experience working with rangatahi and achieving positive outcomes.
• Have strong relationship-building, communication and advocacy skills.
• Be confident working alongside caregivers through facilitation of workshops, coaching and learning support.
• Have an understanding of trauma-informed practice and the impact of trauma on tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.
• Have competency in tikanga and te reo Māori, or a commitment to beginning your journey into Te Ao Māori, taking ownership of your learning and development.
• Be comfortable working independently while also being part of a supportive multidisciplinary team.
• Have the availability to participate in an on-call roster, which attracts additional remuneration.
• Hold a full New Zealand driver's licence and be willing to undergo MSD and NZ Police vetting.

What we offer | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou

• A flexible working environment.
• Full induction and comprehensive training in the evidence-based Teaching-Family Model.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities across both Te Ao Māori and Tauiwi knowledge bases.
• 24/7 senior leadership support.
• Practice support from a team of professionals with a wide range of experience.
• A vehicle for commuting and work use.
• A comprehensive orientation and induction programme, including noho marae.
• Paid birthday leave.

About Kia Puāwai | He kōrero mō 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.

We have over 150 staff and caregivers supporting tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau across Te Tai Tokerau, 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:  9th of October 2026

Mēnā e ngākaunui ana koe ki tēnei mahi, whakapā mai mō ngētehi atu kōrero ki raro nei. 

Please note that we review applications as we receive these and we can 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 Zoe Hicks on zoe.hicks@kiapuawai.nz 

Ngā mihi nui. Kia manuia, vinaka vakalevu, Kia monuina, Faka’apa’apa atu, Ia manuia, Fakafetai, Fakafetai lasi, Fḁiåkse’ea, Ko bati n rab’a

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.