Mental Health Assistant - Tirohanga Waiora at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Waikato, Waikato

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Tirohanga Waiora site - Glenview 
• Permanent 80 hours per fortnight

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.

About the Role

We are looking for individuals who can support tangaata whaiora in their rehabilitation to live well in the community. Maaori are significantly represented across our services, which is why we are moving towards becoming a `culturally led, clinically underpinned service. Delivering excellent care in a culturally responsive manner to support the best outcomes for Maaori is fundamental to our mahi.

Key responsibilities:

• You will support tangata whaiora in developing the necessary skills needed for living. You will assist in individual and group sessions focused on practical life skills, this includes food preparation, house chores and encouraging safe hygiene practices. Your input will directly contribute to their recovery journey.
• You will support social engagement activities that help tangata whaiora connect with others and participate in the community. Engagement will vary dependant on the motivation and capability of the individual, you will have a responsibility to ensure that engagement is encouraged whatever that looks like for that person.
• You will contribute to creating a safe space focusing on maximising therapeutic relationships mitigating risk and utilising tools and techniques to support de-escalation and emotional regulation. The site environment supports therapeutic recovery you will have a significant role in maintaining this.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team/Service

Oranga Rangatira is a specialist service, which aims to deliver an intensive, personalised, and Maaori-led response to mental health need that is clinically underpinned. Structurally, Oranga Rangatira comprises a 10 bed residential facility (Tirohanga Waiora) which supports rehabilitation and integration into the community setting. The team is made up of both clinical and non clinical roles, together you will support our tangata whaiora on their recovery journey to wellness.

About Hamilton

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here

About you

• Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth.
• Experience in upholding Te Tiriti principals and frameworks, and the application of Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches, particularly as they apply in healthcare settings.
• A passion for making a difference to the lives of our tangata whaiora and whanau.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment.

Candidates with a good understanding of Te Ao Maaori and the ability to support our Maaori tangata whaiora through a strong Te Ao Maaori lens will be prioritised for interview.

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 online or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on 19 July 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Robyn Payne at Robyn.Payne@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

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