Iwi Social Practitioner, Community Hub & Outreach

Ngapuhi Iwi Social Services; Kaikohe; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services seeks an experienced Iwi Social Practitioner for the Community Hub & Outreach team in Kaikohe. You will work with tamariki, taitamariki and whānau, delivering culturally responsive social work and mana motuhake.

You will build trusted whānau relationships, conduct assessments and safety planning, and navigate services to support sustainable outcomes. You will contribute to prototype learning, collaborate with iwi and government agencies, and help develop whānau-led

Qualifications

• A recognised social work qualification.
• Current SWRB registration and APC.
• Experience working with tamariki, taitamariki and whānau.
• Knowledge of Ngāpuhi whakapapa, hapū and rohe is advantageous.
• Strong assessment, risk management and safeguarding capability.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking professional assessments, safety planning, intervention planning and case management.
• Advocating for whānau and supporting navigation of health, education and community services.
• Supporting whānau to develop and lead solutions that strengthen wellbeing and mana motuhake.
• Delivering learning programmes for Mātua Atawhai to support mokopuna wellbeing and identity.
• Maintaining accurate case records, assessments and reporting.
• Collaborating with Oranga Tamariki and other agencies for coordinated, whānau-focused outcomes.

Skills

Communication

Advocacy

Relationship-building

Professional judgement

Cultural competence

Ngāpuhi whakapapa knowledge

Education

Registered Social Worker SWRB

APC - Annual Practising Certificate

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Iwi Social Practitioner, Community Hub & Outreach

We're seeking an experienced and whānau-centred Iwi Social Practitioner, Community Hub & Outreach to join our team as part of our Enabling Communities prototype.

You'll work directly alongside tamariki, taitamariki and whānau, providing culturally responsive, strengths-based social work practice that supports safety, wellbeing, connection and mana motuhake.

As part of the Community Hub & Outreach practice team, you'll build trusted relationships with whānau, understand their strengths, needs and aspirations, and work alongside them to develop practical, whānau-led pathways forward.

You'll bring together professional social work practice with Ngāpuhitanga, tikanga Māori, whakapapa and whānau-centred approaches, while advocating for whānau and helping them navigate services and systems.

The mahi is part of a programme where we'll be testing new ways of working, and your knowledge and experience will contribute to the design and learnings.

This is a full-time fixed-term role ending 30 June 2027 because it supports the time-limited Enabling Communities prototype. Applications from people seeking an agreed secondment may also be considered. The role is based in Kaikohe, and travel may be required from time to time.

As Iwi Social Practitioner, Community Hub & Outreach you'll be:

Working alongside tamariki, taitamariki and whānau to identify strengths, needs, aspirations and appropriate supports.

Undertaking professional assessments, safety planning, intervention planning and case management.

Supporting whānau to develop and lead solutions that strengthen wellbeing, resilience and mana motuhake.

Supporting the development and delivery of learning programmes for Mātua Atawhai, strengthening their knowledge and confidence to support the wellbeing, identity and aspirations of mokopuna in their care.

Helping Mātua Atawhai strengthen mokopuna connections to whakapapa, whānau, hapū and Ngāpuhitanga, supporting a strong sense of identity, belonging and connection.

Identifying and responding appropriately to safeguarding, risk and wellbeing concerns.

Advocating for whānau and supporting them to navigate statutory, health, education and community services.

Strengthening connections to whānau, whakapapa, hapū and appropriate support networks.

Working collaboratively with NISS kaimahi, Oranga Tamariki and other agencies to achieve coordinated, whānau-focused outcomes.

Maintaining accurate, timely and professional case records, assessments and reporting.

Supporting the design of new ways of working based on insights you'll help gather from mokopuna, whānau and hāpori.

You're an experienced social work practitioner who is passionate about working alongside whānau and supporting them to achieve sustainable outcomes for themselves and their tamariki.

You build trusted, respectful and mana-enhancing relationships and are comfortable working with whānau experiencing complex or challenging circumstances.

You'll bring strong professional assessment, case management, safeguarding and advocacy skills, together with sound judgement and the confidence to make decisions within your professional responsibilities.

You'll understand the importance of Ngāpuhitanga, tikanga Māori, whakapapa and whanaungatanga and be committed to ensuring these are reflected appropriately in your practice.

You'll be comfortable collaborating with Oranga Tamariki, government agencies, iwi and community providers while ensuring the voice, aspirations and mana of whānau remain central to decision-making.

You're comfortable in ambiguous scenarios and are open and flexible to change. We are establishing and running a prototype and you will be a key enabler of the testing and the learnings it generates.

You'll also bring:

• A recognised social work qualification.
• Experience working with Mātua atawhai.
• Current registration with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB).
• A current Annual Practising Certificate (APC).
• Experience working with tamariki, taitamariki and whānau.
• Strong assessment, risk management and safeguarding capability.
• Excellent communication, advocacy and relationship-building skills.
• Sound professional judgement, integrity and professional boundaries.
• A full New Zealand Driver Licence.
• Experience working within an iwi, kaupapa Māori or Māori social service environment, along with knowledge of Ngāpuhi whakapapa, hapū, marae and rohe, would be an advantage.
• You bring mana-enhancing behaviours and are comfortable working in an iwi setting, upholding tikanga in everything you do.

We are seeking someone who will contribute positively to a collaborative, high-trust and kaupapa-driven team.

You'll be based in Tai Tokerau/Northland (Kaikohe), working alongside our Community Hub & Outreach practice team and the wider Enabling Communities team.

You'll have the opportunity to contribute to an innovative prototype focused on strengthening iwi-led, whānau-centred approaches and improving outcomes for Ngāpuhi tamariki, taitamariki and whānau.

You'll also be part of an organisation that has over 30 years' experience providing social services across the rohe.

Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services provides a range of support and services including youth services, family harm support, care and mātua atawhai services and more.

We provide opportunities for our kaimahi to develop their reo Māori, knowledge of te ao Māori and Ngāpuhitanga in a supportive and encouraging environment.

The closing date and time, Wednesday 16th September at 5:00pm.