Kaitiaki Ākonga - Residential Support

Ara Institute of Canterbury Ltd.; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Income protection for permanent staff

Fee discounts on Ara courses for staff

Professional development leave and/or/

Job summary

Ara Institute of Canterbury is seeking a Kaitiaki Ākonga – Residential Support at Ōtautahi House in Christchurch. This part-time role (20 hours per week) primarily covers evening and night shifts on a seven-day roster, with on-call duties remunerated separately.

You will provide pastoral care, build relationships with residents aged 18–25, and support a safe, connected residential community while helping students navigate living away from home and study demands.

Qualifications

• Full driver’s license (required).
• Current First Aid certificate (or commitment to complete – training provided).
• Familiarity with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
• Experience in roles within Student Accommodation.
• Experience with young adult first and second year tertiary learners.
• Understanding of the tertiary environment and the needs of students aged 18–25.
• Excellent planning, reporting and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and guardianship of the residential facility during rostered shifts.
• Provide targeted, intentional pastoral care to residents to ensure compliance with the 2021 Code of Practice.
• Contribute to a positive and engaging residential experience for Ōtautahi House community members.
• Support induction and exit processes for residents as required across the year.

Skills

Pastoral care

Youth work

Community work

Student support

Communication

Planning

Writing skills

Education

First Aid certificate

Job description

Kaitiaki Ākonga - Residential Support

Christchurch City Campus

Permanent, Part-Time (20 Hours per week)

• Make a real difference to the wellbeing and success of our young learners
• Build a safe, connected and welcoming residential community
• Permanent part-time role with varied evening and weekend work

As a Kaitiaki Ākonga – Residential Support, you’ll play an important role in creating a safe, supportive and connected community for ākonga living at Ōtautahi House. You’ll provide pastoral support, build positive relationships, support activities and events, and respond to residents’ needs while helping them navigate the challenges of living away from home and tertiary study.

This is a part time, 20 hour per week role, working primarily evenings and nights on a seven-day roster, including alternating weekends. Typical shifts are 1.30pm–9.00pm, 5.00pm–9.30pm or 5.00pm–1.00am, depending on the night, with some variation to meet operational needs. On-call duties to cover other team members are part of the role but is separately remunerated as on-call.

In this role you will:

• Provide oversight and guardianship of the residential facility and community during rostered shifts.
• Provide targeted, intentional, and responsive pastoral care to residents, to ensure compliance with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
• Contribute to a positive and engaging residential experience for all Ōtautahi House community members.
• Support induction and exit processes for residents as required across the year.

You may come from a background in youth work, social or community work, marae work, teaching, community development, events and activities, experience working with diverse communities, and student and/or residential contexts. What matters most is your ability to connect with young adults, work calmly and confidently in the evenings, and provide supportive, respectful care to a diverse group of residents.

You will bring a genuine interest in student wellbeing and success and enjoy working both independently and as part of a close knit team. You treat people with dignity and sincerity, are proactive in offering support, and are comfortable balancing pastoral care with practical oversight of a residential environment.

Ideally, you will also bring:

• Full driver’s license (required)
• Current First Aid certificate (or commitment to complete – training provided)
• Familiarity with and experience of the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021
• Experience in roles within Student Accommodation
• Experience with young adult first and second year tertiary learners
• Understanding of the Tertiary environment and the experience and needs of students 18-25 in age
• Excellent planning, reporting and writing skills.

Ara Institute of Canterbury is the South Island's largest provider of tertiary vocational education, helping people build better futures - and that starts with our people.
Every day, our kaimahi help students gain real skills for real careers through hands‑on learning and strong industry connections.
The Madras Street (City) campus brings engineering, architecture, music, trades, health and creative arts together in the heart of Christchurch, right next door to One New Zealand Stadium.
We offer tangible benefits: income protection for permanent kaimahi over 15 hours, fee discounts on Ara courses for staff, professional development leave and funding, two on‑site early childhood centres, generous leave provisions, and an annual Christmas closedown to enjoy time with whanau and friends. A gym, library and cafés complete the picture.
Guided by our values Hono | Connect, Hihiri | Inspire and Aroha | Respect, we’re committed to equity, inclusion and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
If you’re looking for work that matters, Ara could be your next chapter.

We accept applications via our online application system. For any other queries, please email [e-mail].

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