Kaiāwhina - Tauranga

We have an opportunity for a Kaiāwhina to join us in Tauranga. If you are passionate about supporting your community to thrive and align with our vision "Setting the path of wellness in our communities for the early years, for generations to come", apply to join us!

This is a permanent part-time (Fridays are a must, but other days are negotiable) position. If you are passionate about setting up our rangatira mō āpōpō with the best start possible, why not get paid to do it?!

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

You will play a pivotal role in achieving our Rautaki Māori by delivereing exception one on one experiences with whānau drawing on mātauranga Māori alongside health promotion and education methodologies to support each unique challenge.

To respond best to the needs of our people you'll be able to leverage support from multiple agencies and specialists – social workers, food banks, other community groups and our wider Whānau Āwhina services. In time, our gope is to establish and host wānanga for whānau to come together to meet, connect and learn as one.

You'll also be at the forefront of growing connections in your local community, harnessing relationship with local iwi, marae, Māori health providers and services. 

Payrates for Kaiāwhina are between $27.80/hr - $31.89/hr 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. While a background in health promotion, working in a kōhanga reo setting could be advantageous, what we need is a passion for working with tamariki and their caregivers is key, and we will provide you with the training and support to learn the rest.

Our mahi relies on seamless teamwork - picking up referals in a timely manner, and looping in Nurses for clinical support, referring to our community support services for more holistic care, and reminding our whānau that we're a call away 24/7 through our PlunketLine service - it is important that you're confident in working independently but also understanding how to work within a team environment.

You will be a proactive warm people person who naturally adopts a whakawhanaungatanga approach when meeting people. You will be organised and able to build trust from ensuring promises are delivered on, and whānau have trust in our service. Above all else you will bring with you a desire to support whānau and the community we serve to achieve equitable health outcomes, with the ability to keep our mokopuna at the centre of every decision.

Ngā pukenga me tohunga Motuhake | Important Skills and Qualifications

You will:

• Be committed to completing the Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services - Level 4) - we will pay for this
• hold a restricted or full New Zealand driver’s license.
• hold the legal right to work in Aotearoa
• Ability to speak Māori would be advantageous

Ngā hua mahi o Te Whānau Āwhina | What we offer

In line with our ongoing goal to support our kaimahi to thrive in a culturally safe environment, we have multiple community of interests for kaimahi Māori, Pasifika, Asian and more. To support your growth in practice, we have dedicated space and time where our Kaimahi Māori gather quarterly by region and as nationally once a year. We also host a weekly Mahere Reo session to increase kaimahi confidence to kōrero te reo rangatira at mahi, no matter what level.

We have many benefits to support your wellbeing, such as:

• Work close to home in a community-based role
• A Monday – Friday role, with some flexibility to work around you
• 'Well Health Day': the ability to use sick leave for a proactive planned health day
• Fitness Passport - unlimited access and discounted prices across an extensive choice of fitness facilities
• Retail discounts
• A generous parental leave scheme to support growing whānau

Me pēhea te tukutono | How to apply

Applications must be received online. For specific information, please contact Lisa Sillars, Clinical Leader – lisa.sillars@plunket.org.nz

Applications close 10 August 2025

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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.