Kaimahi - He Pikinga Waiora

Help build something that could change the future for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau.

He Pikinga Waiora is a new kaupapa Māori initiative delivered in partnership by Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Trust and Purapura Whetū Trust.

Funded through the Government's Social Investment Fund, this four-year pilot has been designed to strengthen outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau experiencing complex and intergenerational challenges.

He Pikinga Waiora brings together one integrated multidisciplinary team working alongside whānau through mentoring, education, wellbeing, therapeutic support, practical life skills, and cultural connection. Support will be delivered from a purpose-designed community hub and in the homes and communities where whānau live.

This is more than a new service. It is an opportunity to help shape a new way of working.

We're not looking for people to fill positions - we're building a team.

We know no one person has every skill needed to walk alongside tamariki, rangatahi and whānau. That's why we're intentionally bringing together people with different professions, lived experiences, strengths, talents and passions to create something far greater than the sum of its parts.

No one person will have every skill. Together, we will.

The Team We’re Building

He Pikinga Waiora is built around people. We're bringing together a team who share one common purpose – helping tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau thrive.

Some of our kaimahi will be social workers, teachers, youth workers, health professionals or community practitioners. Others may bring experience from justice, family violence, mental health, education, disability, coaching or lived experience. What will make this team exceptional isn't a shared profession—it's a shared commitment to the kaupapa, and a belief in the potential of every tamaiti and rangatahi.

We're looking for people whose passion and commitment are reflected in the way they show up every day. People who:

• Naturally build trust and create emotionally and culturally safe relationships
• Lead by example through positive, mana-enhancing role modelling
• Believe in the potential, uniqueness and mauri of every tamaiti and rangatahi
• Can connect with a young person who may not trust adults
• See strengths and possibilities where others see barriers
• Are prepared to roll up their sleeves and do whatever is needed - whether that's supporting homework, preparing kai, driving a young person to school, coaching sport, teaching someone to cook, helping fix a bike, creating art, walking alongside whānau through difficult moments, or simply being a consistent, caring adult

Above all, we're looking for people with genuine passion and commitment, people whose integrity, compassion and everyday actions show every tamaiti and rangatahi that they are valued, safe, capable and worthy. People who create hope, build trust and help others believe in what's possible.

As founding members of He Pikinga Waiora, our kaimahi won't simply deliver a programme - they'll help shape the culture, practice and future of the service itself.

What Makes You, You?

Every member of our team brings something unique. Beyond your professional skills, we want to know what lights you up and what you could share with our tamariki and rangatahi.

• Maybe you're an incredible cook
• Maybe you're a hunter
• Maybe you're amazing at kapa haka
• Maybe you've restored cars
• Maybe you've coached rugby
• Maybe you're passionate about music production
• Maybe you love photography
• Maybe you're a gamer who knows how to connect with rangatahi
• Maybe you're a gardener
• Maybe you've spent years mentoring young people
• Maybe you've overcome significant challenges in your own life and want to walk alongside others.

Tell us about it in your cover letter. We'd love to know:

• What lights you up?
• What could you teach or share with our tamariki and rangatahi?
• What would your teammates quickly discover is your superpower?

We believe connection happens through shared interests, authentic relationships and people bringing their whole selves to work. We're intentionally building a team with diverse strengths, passions, and life experiences so that every tamaiti and rangatahi can find someone they connect with. Some of our greatest teachers may never have stood in front of a classroom. Some of our strongest mentors may have learnt through lived experience. Some of our best role models may have discovered their gift through sport, music, creativity, whānau or community. What matters most is the difference you'll make in the life of a young person.

Every day will be different; your mahi will include:

• Building trusted, enduring relationships with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau
• Mentoring and walking alongside young people as they navigate life's challenges
• Sharing your own skills, passions and strengths to engage, encourage and inspire
• Supporting practical life skills through everyday experiences such as preparing kai, budgeting, transport, or recreation
• Creating fun, safe, and meaningful experiences in the hub, homes and wider community
• Working collaboratively with whānau, schools and partner organisations
• Learning alongside an incredible multidisciplinary team

Our Hours Reflect Our Kaupapa

We don't build our service around office hours, we build it around the lives of tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau.

As part of our founding team, you'll work across a shared roster that includes daytime, evening and Saturday shifts, helping create a service that is responsive, accessible and centred on whānau.

Indicative hub operating hours:

• Monday: 12.30pm – 6.00pm
• Tuesday to Friday: 10.00am – 8.30pm (rostered shifts)
• Saturday: 9.30am – 3.30pm (rostered shifts)

If you're looking for purposeful mahi, value flexibility, and want to help build something truly special from the ground up, we'd love to hear from you.

Why join us?

You'll be joining a kaupapa that has the potential to influence how integrated, kaupapa Māori support is delivered into the future.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Be part of the founding kaimahi team.
• Help shape a kaupapa Māori pilot from the ground up.
• Work in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Make a lasting difference for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.

Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience.

About our partnership

He Pikinga Waiora is delivered in partnership by Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Trust and Purapura Whetū Trust.

Together we bring decades of experience supporting whānau across Waitaha through kaupapa Māori approaches that strengthen wellbeing, belonging, identity, and opportunity. This partnership combines the strengths of both organisations to deliver a new, integrated model of support that places tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau at the centre.

To find out more about our organisations, please visit our websites https://www.pw.maori.nz/ and https://tepuawaitanga.maori.nz/.

If you're looking for more than just your next job, if you want to help build something new, work alongside an incredible multidisciplinary team, and make a lasting difference in the lives of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau, we'd love to hear from you.

Position descriptions are available on our websites -

https://tepuawaitanga.maori.nz/job-opportunities/

https://www.pw.maori.nz/job-vacancies/

For further queries on these roles, please contact [email protected]

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining the role you're applying for. Let us know about your key strengths and what attracts you to He Pikinga Waiora.

Applications close 14 August 2026.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received and progressing to interviews quickly. We reserve the right to close advertising early if the position is filled during the advertising period.

What we offer:

• A kaupapa Māori work environment and culture where hauora is prioritised
• Education, training and ongoing development opportunities
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Free flu vaccinations
• A day off on your birthday
• Fun daily whanaungatanga sessions

At Te Puawaitanga Ki Ōtautahi Trust, we are dedicated to working with whānau across the lifespan as they navigate all aspects of their health and wellbeing.

Please go to https://tepuawaitanga.maori.nz/job-opportunities to complete the online application form and provide a cover letter detailing your skills and relevant experience as well as an up-to-date CV.

For the full Job Description click here: 2026 He Pikinga Waiora