Kaioranga Hauora (Cultural Worker) at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Southern, Otago

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Kaioranga Hauora (Cultural Worker)

Youth Forensic Service, Dunedin

Salary - $79,014 - $110,290 + Kiwisaver

• Exciting 0.5 FTE (20hrs per week) opportunity in a supportive environment
• Work as part of a clinical team providing cultural support to tangata whaiora and whānau.

The Youth Forensic Team Deliver comprehensive mental health assessment, intervention and treatment to young people involved with the youth justice system, with a focus on improving mental health, wellbeing and overall outcomes.

We are seeking a Kaioranga to join this team and provide Tikanga Whakaaro (cultural assessment) and Maioha Hou (Treatment plan and review) for the tangata whaiora accessing this service.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

The purpose of this role is to provide cultural knowledge, advocacy, support, and expertise for tangata whaiora and their whānau who experience moderate to severe mental illness within the Youth Forensic Service. The position will increase and strengthen resilience of Māori in their identity and knowledge of Tikanga Māori using a Kaupapa Māori framework, promoting wellness and recovery to ensure the best health outcomes are achieved for those in mental health services.

The Kaioranga Hauora Māori will work in partnership and collaboration with the key worker and clinicians within the clinical team environment and the community, being part of the multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of tangata whaiora and their whānau. 

The role will be supported by the wider Te Oranga Tonu Tanga service by way of monthly group cultural supervision.

Mōu ake | About you

We are looking for a motivated person who has a passion for and knowledge of Māori Health and mental health. You must have the ability to work collaboratively with teams in Otago and work alongside Mental Health Addictions and Intellectual Disability Services to ensure cultural aspects are recognised, acknowledged and incorporated into all assessments and interventions. 

You will bring an understanding and an active approach to the use of Te Reo Maori, Tikanga and Whakawhanaungatanga, as well as passion for working alongside teams to consumers and their family within this specialist mental health service.

 You will have excellent organisational, communication and computer skills. You will have the confidence to build successful working relationships with those around you, the ability to work independently or within a multidisciplinary team environment.  You will be competent with Te Reo, have a relationship within the Māori community and a clean driver's license.

 The individual we are seeking with have knowledge of tikanga Māori to join our team of health professionals who provide Hauora Maori interventions to Māori who enter into Mental Health Addictions and Intellectual Disability services.  You will be required to complete cultural assessments, provide support and involve Māori and whanau in decision making, hospital treatment and discharge planning to achieve the best possible health outcomes.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.  

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by Sunday 27 September 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact: james.boyd@tewhatuora.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.