Addiction Practitioner

North Island - Manawatu / Whanganui; Manawatū-Whanganui; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking a fixed term, fulltime addictions practitioner for the Manawatu locality. The role focuses on supporting whaiora with co-existing mental health and substance use disorders, with OST stabilisation and community outreach across Tararua and Horowhenua.

The successful candidate will work within a diverse inter-professional team, uphold Te Tiriti principles, and contribute to integrated treatment across AoD and mental health services.

Qualifications

• Registration as an Addictions Practitioner with a current New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate or be eligible to work as an Intern while progressing towards registration.
• Graduate and/or postgraduate qualifications within addictions or related scope of practice.
• Knowledge and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and commitment to applying its principles in practice.
• Clinical experience or willingness to develop expertise in OST, co-existing mental health and substance use, and addictions practice.

Responsibilities

• Support whaiora with co-existing mental health and substance use disorders within the AoD and mental health services.
• Contribute to assessment and treatment planning, including OST stabilisation and extended community support.
• Engage across teams in an integrated treatment approach and culturally responsive care.

Skills

Assessment skills

Communication skills

Documentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Driver's licence

Willingness to learn

Education

Addictions Practitioner registration / NZAPC

Graduate or postgraduate qualifications in addictions

Knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles

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.

North Island - Manawatu / Whanganui – Manawatu County

District Addictions Services – Manawatu Locality

Fixed term – Fulltime covering Parental Leave

Support recovery. Build resilience. Make a difference.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

Based within the Manawatu Locality Service with a focus on supporting whaiora requiring specialist addiction support. You will have an alignment with the Alcohol and other Drugs and Opiate Substitution programs based primarily in Manawatu, with reach in to support whaiora and impacted whanau within Tararua and Horowhenua based clinics.

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate a level of knowledge and skill in the management of adults who present with co-existing mental health and substance use disorders, assessment and treatment planning of those requiring OST stabilisation and extended community support of those with complex overlapping dependencies to various substances. The role will also include the capacity to respond within an integrated treatment approach for those who would benefit from addiction support inside the AoD and mental health services.

We are looking for a candidate who is highly motivated, is committed to ensuring culturally responsive care, is excited by change and able to work across teams and is committed to a strengths-based recovery approach that supports whaiora and impacted whanau to achieve their goals.

This service is delivered in line with national and international best practice principles.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Registration as an Addictions Practitioner with a current New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate or be eligible to work as an Intern while progressing towards registration.
• Relevant graduate and/or postgraduate qualifications within the addictions or related scope of practice.
• Knowledge and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to applying its principles in practice.
• Clinical experience or a willingness to develop expertise in OST, co-existing mental health and substance use, and addictions practice.
• Strong assessment, communication and documentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective therapeutic relationships with whaiora and whānau.
• A current full driver’s licence.
• A willingness to learn, develop and contribute as part of a diverse inter-professional team.

About the Location

Manawatū offers the perfect blend of city convenience and rural charm. Whether you're drawn to peaceful village life, vibrant townships, or the buzz of the city, you'll find your ideal lifestyle here. It's a family-friendly region that's easy to live in and even easier to love. The region is also home to excellent schools and two tertiary institutions: Massey University and the International Pacific College.

Outdoor enthusiasts are spoiled for choice—beaches, ski fields, lakes, and mountains are all within reach, along with fantastic hiking and mountain biking tracks. With no traffic and a short commute to work, achieving true work-life balance is the everyday reality.

Our central location makes it easy to explore the rest of New Zealand, whether you're heading off on a road trip or catching a short flight.

For more information on living and working in the Manawatū:

Careers in Manawatū and Whanganui

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.