Whānau Ora Kaiāwhina

Two positions available | Te Tai o Poutini (West Coast, South Island) | Full-Time/Fixed term (6 Months)

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact in your community? Join our team as a Whanau Ora Kaiawhina, where you'll provide holistic, whānau-centred healthcare, supporting families to thrive while remaining in their homes.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Kaiawhina will work alongside whānau who meet assessment criteria to transition from a place of crisis and/or distress towards wellbeing. Wrapping the necessary services and support around whānau experiencing complex barriers to assist them in achieving whānau goals and to achieve better outcomes in areas including mental health, hauora, education, housing, employment, improved standards of living, cultural identity.

Key Responsibilities

  • Reporting: Prepare timely and accurate reportingWhānau Services: Empower whānau through trauma-informed support, cultural reconnection, and economic empowerment strategies.

  • Collaboration: Have a clear understanding of provider network and build strong relationships internal and external across organisations.

  • Whānau Engagement: Build strong, trusting relationships with whānau, ensuring a holistic, strengths-based approach.

  • Needs Assessment: Identify barriers, aspirations, and priorities through comprehensive whānau assessments.

  • Service Coordination: Work collaboratively with whānau, agencies, and community networks to wrap the right services around individuals.

  • Crisis Support: Provide immediate support in times of distress and develop long term wellbeing strategies.

  • Whānau Advocacy: Champion whānau voices to ensure their needs are met across health, education, and social services.

  • Cultural Responsiveness, Competence, and Awareness: Uphold kaupapa Māori principles and ensure cultural identity is strengthened. Culturally enhance practice, recognise and respond to cultural differences and ethnic diversity in a mana enhancing manner and to ensure practice is representative of the children and whānau being served.

 Mōu | About you

To be successful in this role, you will need:

  • Relevant tertiary qualification

  • Relevant experience in whanau ora, health, social services, or community development.

  • Current full driver’s license

  • Clearance under the provisions of the Vulnerable Children’s Act (2014)

  • Strong understanding of whānau-centred approaches and Te Ao Māori.

  • Experience working in crisis intervention, service coordination, or community engagement.

  • Commitment to working effectively with Māori, Pacific, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.

  • Good computer/ technical skills including the use of emails, internet, and Microsoft applications (Move to technical skills)

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

  • Ability to establish rapport with children and whānau

  • Willingness to work with whānau in their homes or a setting of their choice

Desirable:

  • Ability to communicate in different languages

Why Join Us?

  • Make a real difference in the lives of whānau, supporting healthy futures.

  • Work in a dynamic, community-focused environment.

  • Receive professional development opportunities in Māori health and nursing practices.

  • Be part of a supportive, values-driven team committed to empowering whānau.

Come and join us!

If you are passionate about whānau-centred care, preventative health, and Childhood Immunisation, we’d love to hear from you! Apply now and help shape healthier futures for our communities.

Please apply by:

  • Download and fill in the application form

  • Provide a cover letter and tell us about yourself and why this position is perfect for you

  • Supply a current CV and evidence of relevant qualifications

  • Email to: enquiries@poutiniwaiora.co.nz denoting “Kaiāwhina” in the subject line

Applications will be progressed as received. Applications close 5pm Friday 8th August 2025.

For more information on the role, please view Position Description or if you have any questions, please email enquiries@poutiniwaiora.co.nz