Community Karitane / Plunket Kaiawhina

How proud would it make you to be proactive in your community promoting a healthy lifestyle and working with whānau who have recently welcomed a new addition?

We're seeking a Kaiāwhina or Community Karitane (Health Worker) to work alongside and support whānau in improving health outcomes for our pēpī, and tamariki. This is apart time (32 hours per week) permanent position in Invercargill.

Te Whiwhingamahi | The opportunity

The mahi of our Kaiāwhina and Karitane support the growth of healthy pēpī and tamariki, confident whānau and connected communities by working with whānau to identify and enhance their strengths as well as supporting self-determined Pae Ora goals.

This might involve providing advice which is commonly associated with Whānau Āwhina Plunket’s service such as the introduction of solids or supporting breastfeeding for those that chose this path or settling pēpī to sleep. If you are a Kaiāwhina, you’ll provide for whānau cultural needs – supporting whānau to build connections and confidence in their Māoritanga through for instance the introduction of waiata and pūrākau sessions.

Travel (in a Plunket vehicle) across the Southland region during work hours will be a regular part of your role. Where there is a need, Kaiāwhina and Karitane can work with multiple agencies and specialists – social workers, food banks, community groups and our wider Whānau Āwhina services to respond to the needs of our people. 

Payrates for Kaiāwhina/Karitane are between $57,405 ($29.05 per hour) and $65,847 ($33.32 per hour)depending on experience.

He kōrero mōu| About you

It is the clear communication, empathy and reassurance you provide that will support whānau to manage each challenge as it comes. A passion for working with whānau is key and we will provide you with the training and support to learn the rest. Our mahi relies on seamless teamwork - being able to loop in Nurses for clinical support, referring to our community support services for holistic care, and reminding our whānau that we're a call away 24/7 through our PlunketLine service. You’ll be confident working independently but also understand how to work within a team environment.

If you are a Kaiāwhina, you can also support whānau who might be at different stages of their haerenga to incorporate Te Ao Māori principles and values into how they raise their tamariki, this might involve introducing Māori models of health or connecting whānau with local iwi providers and services.

In addition, you will need to:

• Be committed to completing the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) (Community Health Work) if not already held or to secure recognition of prior learning.
  

• Hold a full New Zealand driver's license.
  

• Hold the legal right to work in Aotearoa
  

Me pēheatetukutono | How to apply

For specific questions, please contact Sarah Van Lieshout (Clinical Leader) on Sarah.VanLieshout@plunket.org.nz

Applications close 16thJuly 2026, we will be reviewing applications as they are received and if we find a suitable candidate we may close this advert early so apply today!

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He huanui oranga mo ngā mokopuna whakatipuranga roto i ngā hapori hekeiho,heke iho

Setting the path of wellness in our communities for the early years, for generations to come

Whānau Āwhina Plunket is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of pēpi, tamariki and their whānau. We have committed to adopting a pro-equity approach where we give life to the Treaty principles of tino rangatiratanga, partnership, active protection, equity and options in our mahi to ensure healthy tamariki, confident whānau and connected communities. This journey is creating exciting career opportunities - If you would like to contribute to the important mahi we do, naumai, haeremai.

Position description Apply now

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