Kaiawhina Whakaora Niho (Dental Therapy Assistant)

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 72,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora is seeking a Kaiawhina Whakaora Niho to assist in providing oral health services to tamariki in te reo Māori. This full-time role involves working closely with children and Māori communities, ensuring culturally safe practices. Join a diverse team dedicated to improving health outcomes in the Wellington region.

Qualifications

• Conversational in te reo Māori, or enthusiastic to improve.
• Good understanding of tikanga and kaupapa Māori.
• Experience working with children in a whānau or work setting.

Responsibilities

• Assist Kaiwhakaora Niho in providing oral health services.
• Travel to provide services in various regions.
• Support clinical duties and administrative tasks.

Skills

te reo Māori

culturally safe practice

administrative skills

experience with children

Job description

Kaiawhina Whakaora Niho (Dental Therapy Assistant)

• Cannons Creek, Titahi Bay, Lower Hutt, and Naenae/Avalon
• Permanent, full-time
• Unique opportunity to work in health and engage with Māori communities

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the role

The purpose of the role is to assist a Kaiwhakaora Niho (Dental or Oral Health Therapist) to provide oral health clinical services and education to tamariki in te reo Māori, applying tikanga and kaupapa Māori. This is to ensure that tamariki Māori and whānau have the option of receiving oral health services in te reo Māori if that is their preference.

Kaiawhina Whakaora Niho and Kaiwhakaora Niho travel throughout Pōneke, Te Awakairangi, Porirua, and Kāpiti rohe (Wellington city, the Hutt Valley, Porirua, and Kāpiti regions). They visit Kura Kaupapa Māori, Kōhanga Reo, and Mātauranga Māori ECC's to provide oral health examinations and education. They also spend time in the clinical hubs around the region to provide follow up treatments, prioritising tamariki and whānau who prefer to receive oral health services in te reo Māori.

Kaiawhina Whakaora Niho must be good with children. They support the Kaiwhakaora Niho chairside, sterilise clinical equipment, and undertake a range of administrative duties.

Although the main aim of the role is to provide services in te reo Māori, English may also be used if that is the preference of the tamariki or whānau. This is a full-time role working Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, and the full salary range is $72,000 - $86,000 depending on experience.

About the team

The Bee Healthy Regional Dental Service provides dental services for tamariki in the greater Wellington region from school and community based Dental Hub Clinics. This is a unique opportunity to join a diverse and passionate team, in a rewarding role that services tamariki in our communities.

• You are able to converse in te reo Māori, at least to a basic level. If you are not fluent, you are enthusiastic about improving so that you can work fully in te reo Māori
• You have a good understanding of tikanga and kaupapa Māori so that you are able to provide culturally safe practice to tamariki Māori and their whānau
• You have a current New Zealand driver's licence
• You have experience working with children, either in a whānau or work setting
• You are good with admin and computers, and you have the ability to learn new computer applications
• If you have a personal understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities, or experience working with people with disabilities, this is an advantage

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is 'the weaving of wellness'. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations. We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community.

How to apply

To apply please click 'apply now'. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by Wednesday, 11 June 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Lucy Britland [e-mail]

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advertisement.

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