Casual Residential Worker - Te Puna Wai

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Rangiora; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 42,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly wage 26.00 NZD

8% holiday pay

Paid induction and ongoing training

Career development

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children in Canterbury is seeking Casual Residential Youth Workers at Te Puna Wai Youth Justice Residence in Christchurch. You will support rangatahi (13-17-year-olds) who are awaiting court proceedings or serving sentences, focusing on safety, development, and trust-building in a nurturing environment.

The role involves being a positive mentor, role model, and coach, guiding daily routines and personal growth.

Qualifications

• Youth work, coaching, mentoring, tutoring, or community support
• Healthcare, psychology, education, sports, music, or the arts

Responsibilities

• Listen without judgment and build respectful relationships
• Be physically active and engage safely with tamariki
• Be reliable, consistent, and present at work free from the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Pass Police vetting and a Vulnerable Children's Act check
• Commit to a three-week, full-time paid induction (Monday-Friday, 40 hours/week)

Skills

Youth work

Coaching/mentoring

Tutoring

Community support

Job description

• Casual Residential Youth Worker
• Te Puna Wai Youth Justice Residence - Christchurch

Make a real difference in the lives of our rangatahi!

Are you passionate about supporting young people to thrive? Join our team at Te Puna Wai Youth Justice Residence as a Casual Residential Youth Worker and be part of a kaupapa that truly matters.

Our residence provides care and support for 13-17-year-olds who are either awaiting court proceedings or serving a sentence. While they are not free to leave, this is not a prison. We focus on creating a safe, secure, and nurturing environment where rangatahi can build skills, confidence, and hope for the future. As a Youth Worker, you'll play a vital role in keeping our tamariki safe, while also being a mentor, coach, and positive role model. You'll help guide them through daily routines, build trust, and support their personal growth.

At our Te Puna Wai residence, we have a school, sports field, visitors' suite, gym, and whare on site. We also have a small farm (complete with friendly farm animals from pigs, alpacas, goats, sheep, and a pony!) that offers our tamariki valuable life skills and experience.

Our Youth Workers use these facilities to help enrich the lives of our tamariki and set them up with the skills they will need to meaningfully contribute to their whānau and community.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

• Youth work, coaching, mentoring, tutoring, or community support
• Healthcare, psychology, education, sports, music, or the arts

What matters most is your ability to:

• Listen without judgment and build respectful relationships
• Be physically active and engage safely with tamariki
• Be reliable, consistent, and present at work free from the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Pass Police vetting and a Vulnerable Children's Act check
• Commit to a three-week, full-time paid induction (Monday-Friday, 40 hours/week)

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

• 26.00 per hour + 8% holiday pay
• Paid induction and ongoing training
• Opportunities for career development - many of our leaders started as Youth Workers!
• A supportive team environment where your mahi makes a real impact

Oranga Tamariki is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from everyone who meets the role requirements. Please take time to read our Code of Conduct - it outlines our expectations, including presenting at work free from the influence of drugs and alcohol.