Senior Occupational Therapist, Rapua Te Ao Waiora - Mental Health & Addictions at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau, Auckland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Permanent, Full Time
Based at Rapua Te Ao Waiora, Papakura
Remuneration based on the PSA Allied Health MECA guidelines

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

The opportunity:

We are looking for a visionary and forward-thinking senior occupational therapist to work with Counties Manukau to improve equity and health outcomes for Maaori and all cultures located at 5/19 Great South Road, Papakura.

As an occupational therapist, you will support high standards of clinical practice and service planning/development by providing clinical leadership within the three South Adult teams. In your role, you will also assist in developing the clinical capability of others, take a lead in setting standards, quality assurance and improvement and research activities relevant to the area of expertise.

This is a designated role that utilises advanced knowledge, clinical expertise and competencies to coordinate, deliver and support professional services in one or more specialist areas. The role is based with the Rapua Te Ao Waiora team in Papakura where the majority of the clinical mahi will occur (managing a clinical caseload). In addition, the other aspects of the role related to quality improvement, service development, and clinical leadership will span across all adult teams in the South.

You will hold a current annual practicing certificate and a minimum of 5 years postgraduate experience working as an occupational therapist in mental health and addiction services. An ability to implement culturally appropriate specialised assessment for Maaori is essential. Experience with leading and supporting quality improvement and clinical teaching and coaching would be advantageous.

We work closely with our tangata whaiora, their whaanau, nongovernment organisations, and primary care providers. We can offer you a chance to work both independently and as part of a strong quality-focussed team. You will also be provided with on-going support with clinical supervision and professional development opportunities.

Essential:

• Registration with the New Zealand Occupational Therapy Board
• Current NZ Annual Practising Certificate
• Minimum of 5 years postgraduate experience working as an Occupational Therapist in Mental Health & Addictions
• Full drivers licence with no limitations

What's in it for you?

• Refund of your annual practising certificate cost
• Generous study allowance on top of mandatory training
• Flexible working, including an ability to undertake some work from home
• Highly supportive and learning team environment
• Discounted services as part of our work perks

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 Maori, 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 13 November 2026. To review the position description, please click here.

For more information on this role, please contact Amy Lin in the Recruitment Centre on amy.lin@middlemore.co.nz.

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

At Counties Manukau Health people and their lives matter to us. We are a values based and inclusive organisation that is committed to delivering the best health outcomes for our community. To help us achieve this we need a workforce that reflects the population we serve. We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds who share our values and have a passion to work in our community and would greatly value seeing applicants from our Maaori and Pacific communities. We are also committed to our Disability Strategy, which focuses on people with disabilities; they are our patients, whaanau, community and our staff - all carefully considered in our action plan. Together we will improve the accessibility needs for everyone who has a disability. Our values are Valuing Everyone- Whakawhanaungatanga , Kind Manaakitanga, Together Kotahitanga, Excellent- Rangatiratanga. If these are your values too, then join us today.