_{16th October, 2026}

 
Mō mātou - About us
Whakatū Marae holds a unique significance as a cultural and historic hub for iwi across Te Tauihu o Te Waka a Māui. Grounded in kaupapa Māori values, we deliver a range of social services and programmes that support whānau wellbeing, resilience, and self-determination.
Our mahi is informed by tikanga, whanaungatanga, and a deep commitment to supporting positive outcomes for our rangatahi, whānau, hapū, and iwi.
 
Ngā tūranga - Current opportunities
We currently have three opportunities available across our whānau and rangatahi support services:

• Kaihāpori / Social Worker — 32 hours per week
• Kaimanaaki Whānau / Care and Protection Youth Worker — 40 hours per week
• Care and Protection Youth Worker / Hui Facilitator — 40 hours per week

Please indicate clearly in your application which position you are applying for.
 
Kaihāpori / Social Worker
 
Mō te tūranga mahi - About the role
This whānau ora social work position provides comprehensive tikanga Māori social work support to individuals and whānau with Māori rangatahi, tamariki and pēpē across the Nelson and Tasman regions, supporting the delivery of Oranga Tamariki contracts.
You will work alongside whānau to assess needs, strengths and risks, develop and review whānau plans from a Te Ao Māori lens, provide advocacy and connect whānau with appropriate services and support.
Key responsibilities include:

• Building strong relationships with whānau and kaimahi through whanaungatanga
• Assessing whānau needs, strengths, risks and safety
• Developing, implementing and reviewing whānau plans
• Investigating and responding to child protection concerns
• Facilitating whānau hui, advocacy, crisis support and referrals
• Collaborating with Whānau Manaaki, external agencies and professionals
• Supporting whānau through Court processes where required
• Maintaining accurate case records, reports and documentation
• Monitoring whānau progress and outcomes
• Participating in supervision and reflective practice
• Maintaining social work registration and professional standards

 
Mōu - About you
You will be a qualified and registered social worker with experience working with Māori and within a kaupapa Māori environment.

• Qualified Social Worker & Registered with the Social Workers Registration Board.
• A good understanding of Tikanga Māori and te reo Māori
• Experience working with Māori and within a kaupapa Māori environment
• Strong communication, interpersonal and influencing skills
• Sound judgement, critical thinking, problem-solving and risk-management skills
• Empathy and confidence working with children, young people and whānau
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Ethical practice, discretion and the ability to maintain professional boundaries
• A proactive, flexible and collaborative approach
• A clean, current, full driver's licence
• Ability to meet Whakatū Marae Whānau Ora Services and Oranga Tamariki Police vetting requirements
• Commitment to smoke-free requirements

 
Kaimanaaki Whānau / Care and Protection Youth Worker
 
Mō te tūranga mahi - About the role
This dual role combines practical, culturally grounded and whānau-led support with day-to-day care, guidance, mentoring and planned support for pēpē, tamariki and rangatahi who require care and protection.
The role supports whānau plans, strengthens connections, assists access to services and contributes to safe, loving and nurturing environments where tamariki and rangatahi can flourish.
Key responsibilities include:

• Building trusting relationships with whānau, tamariki and rangatahi
• Supporting and reviewing whānau ora plans
• Undertaking regular whānau visits and check-ins
• Identifying barriers and supporting practical solutions
• Connecting whānau with services, resources and support
• Providing transport and practical assistance where required
• Mentoring tamariki and rangatahi through positive, tikanga-based engagement
• Supporting participation in appointments, hui, FGCs and Court processes
• Assisting with activities, agreed actions and whānau goals
• Responding to incidents, concerns and identified risks
• Maintaining accurate case notes, records and reports

 
Mōu - About you
You will be able to work safely and respectfully with pēpē, tamariki, rangatahi and whānau, with a strong understanding of kaupapa Māori and whānau-centred practice.
Our ideal candidate will have:

• Experience working with whānau, tamariki and rangatahi
• An understanding of the social, health, employment, cultural and economic issues affecting whānau
• Experience working within a kaupapa Māori environment
• Knowledge of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, with confidence supporting karakia and waiata
• A strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and whānau-centred practice
• Strong communication, relationship-building and reporting skills
• The ability to build trust while maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Resilience, initiative and strong organisational skills
• The ability to manage competing priorities and respond appropriately to risk and changing circumstances
• A full, clean driver's licence
• Ability to meet Whakatū Marae Whānau Ora Services and Oranga Tamariki Police vetting requirements

 
Care and Protection Youth Worker / Hui Facilitator
 
Mō te tūranga mahi - About the role
This dual role provides day-to-day care, guidance, mentoring and planned support for pēpē, tamariki and rangatahi who require care and protection, while also convening and facilitating whānau hui, professional hui and Family Group Conferences. You will help ensure participants are culturally safe, whānau voices are heard, hui remain focused and agreed decisions and actions are clearly captured.
Key responsibilities include:

• Building safe, positive relationships with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau
• Providing tikanga-based mentoring, guidance and support
• Identifying strengths, aspirations, risks and safety concerns
• Supporting access to services, appointments, hui, FGCs and Court processes
• Planning and supporting activities that promote positive outcomes
• Preparing and supporting whānau participation in decision-making
• Convening and facilitating whānau, professional and Family Group Conference hui
• Creating culturally safe and inclusive environments grounded in tikanga and kawa
• Managing discussions constructively and supporting positive engagement
• Recording decisions, actions and agreed next steps
• Maintaining effective relationships with whānau, professionals, hapū, iwi and community partners
• Maintaining accurate case notes, records and reports

 
Mōu - About you
You will be an effective communicator who can build trusted, respectful relationships with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau and facilitate inclusive hui while maintaining professional boundaries.

• A current understanding of the social, health, employment, cultural and economic issues facing whānau, tamariki and rangatahi
• Demonstrated ability and understanding of working in a kaupapa Māori environment
• Knowledge of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga and confidence to support appropriate karakia and waiata
• A strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and whānau-centred practice
• Strong facilitation, mediation, negotiation and conflict-resolution capability
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, time management and organisational skills
• The ability to communicate complex matters clearly to a range of audiences
• The ability to create inclusive group processes and support all participants to have a voice
• Strong written communication, accurate reporting and sound professional judgement
• Resilience, initiative and the ability to manage competing priorities
• A full, clean driver's licence
• Ability to meet Whakatū Marae Whānau Ora Services and Oranga Tamariki Police vetting requirements

Why join us?
These are opportunities to be part of a kaupapa-driven organisation making a meaningful difference in the lives of whānau, tamariki and rangatahi. You will work within a supportive, values-based environment where your contribution directly supports whānau ora and positive futures.
 
If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you.
 
For confidential enquiries, please contact Sacha MacDonald 027-386-9288.
To apply, submit your cover letter and CV, clearly stating which position you are applying for.
 
Applications close: 30/10/2026

Apply For Job