Community Karitane / Kaiawhina

Whānau Āwhina Plunket; Waikato; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Ongoing learning

Mentoring and supervision

Pro-equity culture

Job summary

Whānau Āwhina Plunket is seeking a Kaiāwhina or Community Karītine to collaborate with clinical teams in homes and communities across the Waikato. The role focuses on connecting health services with Māori cultural realities, delivering practical support and health education to tamariki and whōhau.

It requires relationship-building, advocacy and independent, yet team-oriented work. You will contribute to equitable health outcomes, work under nurses and the Clinical Leader, and help coordinate

Qualifications

• Cares deeply for the wellbeing of ˕pi, tamariki and whōhau.
• Values culturally safe practice and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Comfortable navigating Te Ao Māori and local communities.

Responsibilities

• Build meaningful relationships with whōhau and communities.
• Provide accessible health education and parenting support.
• Help whōhau access community and health services.
• Advocate for whōhau and support informed decisions.
• Work with nurses, community teams and external agencies.
• Facilitate individual or group learning and health promotion.
• Maintain accurate records and coordinate whōhau care.
• Strengthen connections with local communities, providers, iwi and hapōhau.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication

Advocacy

Te Ao Māori knowledge

Independent work

Tech-savvy

Education

NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing

Job description

Whōōhau ōńwhiƱ – Plunket is looking for a passionate and community focused Kaiăwhina or Community Karităneto join our teams across the Waikato. This is a permanent opportunity, ideally working full time; however, we are open to discussing part-time hours with the right person.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

In this rewarding role, you will work alongside our clinical team to support ˕pi, tamariki and whōhau within their homes and communities.

You will build trusted relationships, provide practical support and health education, and help whōhau connect with services and resources that support their aspirations. Working under the direction of our Registered Nurses and Clinical Leader, you will contribute to positive, equitable health outcomes for tamariki and their whōhau.

As a Kaiăwhina or Community Karităne, you will:

• Build meaningful and respectful relationships with whōhau and communities.
• Provide accessible health education and parenting support based on the needs and aspirations of whōhau.
• Support whōhau to navigate and connect with relevant community and health services.
• Advocate alongside whōhau and support them to make informed decisions.
• Work collaboratively with our nurses, community teams and external agencies.
• Facilitate individual or group learning opportunities, health promotion activities and wānanga.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to the planning and coordination of whōhau care.
• Help strengthen our connections with local communities, providers, iwi and hapōhau.

The Kaiawhina role has a particular focus on connecting our clinical services with the cultural realities of whōhau Māori. You will draw on your knowledge of Te Ao Māori and local communities to support culturally relevant service delivery and improve outcomes for whōhau Māori.

He kūăro mń | About you

You will be someone who genuinely cares about the wellbeing of ˕pi, tamariki and whōhau. You build trust naturally, listen without judgement and can adapt your approach to meet the needs of different people and communities.

You Will Also Bring

• Strong relationship-building, communication and advocacy skills.
• Confidence using technology and facilitating group work.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider clinical team.
• Confidence connecting whōhau with community services and support.
• A commitment to culturally safe practice and equitable health outcomes.
• An understanding of, and commitment to, TeTiriti o Waitangi.
• A full New Zealand driver licence and reliable transport.

For appointment as a Community Karităne, you will hold or be willing to complete a recognised New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing.

For appointment as a Kaiăwhina, you will you will hold or be willing to complete a recognised New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing. Ideally, you will have experience working alongside whōhau Māori, iwi, hapōhau, Māori organisations or kaupapa Māori initiatives, and be comfortable navigating Te Ao Māori.

Ngă hua mahi o Te Whōhau Plunket | What we offer

Whōhau ōńwhiƱ Plunket is the largest service in Aotearoa supporting the health and wellbeing of tamariki under five and their whōhau. Our people are at the heart of what we do.

When You Join Us, You Will Receive

• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Ongoing learning, development, mentoring and supervision.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference for whōhau in your community.
• Flexible discussions around fulltime or parttime working arrangements.
• A role within an organisation committed to pro-equity, cultural safety and giving effect to TeTiriti o Waitangi.

Our values of Māia, Tŭuhono, Manaaki and Māhaki guide how we work together and how we support the whōhau and communities we serve.

If you are passionate about supporting ˕pi, tamariki and whōhau and would like to contribute to healthier, more connected communities, we would love to hear from you.

For further information contact Clinical Leaders [e-mail] [e-mail].

Applications close on 29th September 2026.

Whōhau ōńwhiƱ Plunket is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of ˕pi, tamariki and theirwhōhau/family. 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/work to ensure healthy tamariki, confident whōhau and connected communities. This journey is creating exciting career opportunities – If you would like to contribute to the important mahi we do, naumai, haeremai.