Activities Assistant

Oceania Group; Spreydon-Cashmere Community; On-site; NZD 20,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Oceania Addington Gardens Village in Christchurch is seeking a part-time Activities Assistant to create engaging, inclusive experiences for residents, including those living with dementia.

Working with our Diversional Therapist, you’ll plan and deliver activities that reflect residents’ interests, cultures and life stories, foster social connections, and support safe, respectful participation in everyday moments of wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting or coordinating activities, ideally within aged care, health or community settings
• Experience working with people living with dementia and an understanding of person-centred support
• A warm, patient and empathetic approach, with genuine respect for older people
• The ability to connect and communicate with people from a range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences
• Creativity and enthusiasm for finding activities that are meaningful to different people
• Good communication and basic IT skills
• The flexibility to multitask and adapt to residents’ individual needs
• The ability to work weekends

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging and meaningful activities for residents
• Build genuine relationships with residents and understand what matters to them
• Support residents living with dementia to participate in ways that recognise their strengths, preferences and abilities
• Create opportunities for social connection, enjoyment and a sense of belonging
• Support an inclusive environment that respects residents’ identities, cultures and backgrounds
• Follow policies and procedures to help create a safe and supportive environment for everyone

Skills

Activities coordination

Dementia care

Empathy

Communication

Creativity

IT skills

Multitasking

Weekend availability

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

At Oceania, we believe meaningful moments and genuine connection can make a real difference to the lives of our residents.

Our Addington Gardens Village in Christchurch is looking for a part-time Activities Assistant to join our team and help create engaging, inclusive and meaningful experiences for our residents, including those living with dementia.

Working alongside our Diversional Therapist, you’ll get to know our residents as individuals and support activities that reflect their interests, abilities, cultures and life experiences. Whether it’s encouraging someone to try something new, helping them continue something they’ve always enjoyed, or simply creating an opportunity to connect, you’ll play an important part in supporting residents to live well.

What you’ll be doing:

Working closely with our Diversional Therapist to plan and deliver engaging and meaningful activities for our residents

Building genuine relationships with residents and getting to know what matters to them

Supporting residents living with dementia to participate in ways that recognise their individual strengths, preferences and abilities

Creating opportunities for social connection, enjoyment and a sense of belonging

Supporting an inclusive environment that respects residents’ individual identities, cultures and backgrounds

Following our policies and procedures to help create a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

What you’ll bring:

Previous experience supporting or coordinating activities, ideally within aged care, health or community settings

Experience working with people living with dementia and an understanding of person-centred support

A warm, patient and empathetic approach, with genuine respect for older people

The ability to connect and communicate with people from a range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences

Creativity and enthusiasm for finding activities that are meaningful to different people

Good communication and basic IT skills

The flexibility to multitask and adapt to residents’ individual needs

The ability to work weekends

Why join Oceania?

At Oceania, we're proud to be one of New Zealand's leading providers of retirement living and aged care. Across more than 30 villages, we support over 4,000 residents by creating communities where people feel at home, connected, and well cared for.

Our purpose is simple: to make a difference in every task, every challenge, every day. It's a purpose that's brought to life through the way we work:

We're one team – We collaborate across teams and functions because together we're stronger than any individual effort.

We're finding better ways – We challenge ourselves to think differently, find creative solutions, and continuously improve.

We're committed to care – We put safety and care at the centre of everything we do, creating environments where everyone feels supported.

We're proud to deliver – We follow through on our commitments because every task matters, and our residents and families count on us to get it right.

When you join Oceania, you'll become part of a supportive team where you'll be encouraged to learn, grow, and make a meaningful contribution every day. In return, we offer competitive pay, ongoing learning and development opportunities, free and confidential wellbeing support, and the chance to build a rewarding career with an organisation that's making a real difference.

**Oceania does not accept any unsolicited resume referrals from recruitment agencies, or take responsibility for any fees related to unsolicited CVs**

We are the proud owner and operator of over 30 aged care centres and retirement villages across New Zeland. As the third largest provider of aged care in New Zealand, we are passionate about supporting our local communities and providing the very best care to meet kiwi’s needs.