ED Peer Support Specialist - Empowering Recovery

Purapura Whetu; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Purapura Whetū Trust in Christchurch is seeking experienced Tuakana-Teina Kaitautoko / Peer Support Specialists for the Emergency Department service. This fixed-term role supports tāngata whaiora and whānau with mana-enhancing, culturally safe peer support during distress, grounded in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and kotahitanga.

The role offers manaakitanga-based, whānau-centred support in collaboration with Odyssey Christchurch and Stepping Stone Trust through 1 July 2026 to 31 June 2027.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years experience in Peer Support (paid or voluntary).
• Intended or completed Intentional Peer Support (IPS) or Tuakana-Teina training.
• Level 4 Health & Wellbeing qualification (Mental Health & Addiction or Peer Support) or willing to work towards this.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice.

Responsibilities

• Build safe, positive, and supportive relationships with tāngata whaiora experiencing distress.
• Leverage lived experience of recovery to support others.
• Assist people to understand and navigate the ED experience.
• Collaborate with clinical staff to enhance person-centred care.
• Help connect people and whānau to ongoing community supports after discharge.
• Promote autonomy, hope, and recovery.

Skills

Peer support

Active listening

Communication

Relationship building

Teamwork

Education

Level 4 Health & Wellbeing qualification

IPS / Tuakana-Teina training

Job description

Purapura Whetū Trust in Christchurch is seeking experienced Tuakana-Teina Kaitautoko / Peer Support Specialists for the Emergency Department service. This fixed-term role supports tāngata whaiora and whānau with mana-enhancing, culturally safe peer support during distress, grounded in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and kotahitanga.

The role offers manaakitanga-based, whānau-centred support in collaboration with Odyssey Christchurch and Stepping Stone Trust through 1 July 2026 to 31 June 2027.