Mental Health Clinician - Wairoa

New Zealand Government; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui Hawke's Bay invites applications for a Mental Health Clinician in Wairoa, within the Child, Adolescent & Family Service (CAFS). This permanent, full-time position offers 80 hours per fortnight (1 FTE) in a dynamic, community-focused environment where your skills matter.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team including nurses, social workers and occupational therapists to provide high-quality mental health assessment, intervention and

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist with NZ registration.
• 3+ years mental health experience.
• Postgraduate mental health qualification (or working towards).

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments and develop therapeutic plans.
• Support tamariki, rangatahi and whānau with recovery‑focused care.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure equitable, person‑centred care.

Skills

Strong communication

Assessment skills

Therapeutic skills

Cultural competence

Job description

# Mental Health Clinician - Wairoa at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui Hawke's Bay, Hawkes Bay## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role* **Mental Health Clinician Wairoa*** **Permanent, Full-Time 80 Hours per fortnight (1FTE)*** **An opportunity to work in a dynamic, communityfocused environment where your skills truly matter.**Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.**About the Role**Join our Child, Adolescent & Family Service (CAFS) and make a meaningful impact in the lives of tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau. Whether you are a Registered Nurse, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist, this role offers the opportunity to provide highquality mental health assessment, intervention and recoveryfocused support within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.Every day brings variety from completing comprehensive assessments and developing therapeutic plans, to supporting whānau, facilitating interventions, and working alongside other skilled clinicians to ensure seamless, culturally responsive care. Youll contribute to safe, strengthsbased practice and work with increasing levels of autonomy as you develop deep expertise in child and adolescent mental health.This is a role where your professional skills, cultural awareness and passion for working with young people will have a real and lasting impact.Please click below to view the position descriptionSocial Worker position profile click ***here***Registered Nurse position profile click ***here***Occupational Therapist position profile click ***here*****About the Team/Service/ Location**CAFS sits within our Mental Health & Addictions service at Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui Hawkes Bay. Our team is multidisciplinary, skilled and deeply committed to supporting wellbeing for children, adolescents and their whānau.In Wairoa you will work alongside our visiting clinic team which includes occupational therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists and other allied health professionals. The team is collaborative, supportive and driven by shared purpose delivering equitable, personcentred care grounded in partnership and whanaungatanga.Although the role is primarily based in Wairoa, to support the local rural community, we can offer flexibility in working between Napier.For more information on living and working in Hawkes Bay click HERE**About you**You are a compassionate, culturally responsive clinician who enjoys working with young people and their whānau. You thrive in a team environment and bring strong communication, assessment and therapeutic skills.**You will have (depending on professional pathway):****Registered Nurse*** Current Nursing Council of NZ Registration and APC* Child & adolescent mental health experience (ideally 3+ years)* Postgraduate mental health qualification (or working towards)* Strong assessment, caseload management and therapeutic intervention skills**Social Worker*** Bachelors degree in Social Work or higher, recognised by SWRB* NZ Registration with current APC* Significant mental health and addiction experience (ideally 3+ years)* Strong capability in crisis assessment, treatment planning and whānaucentred support**Occupational Therapist*** Bachelors degree in Occupational Therapy recognised by OTNZWNA* NZ Registration with current APC* Mental health experience (ideally 3+ years)* Skilled in functional assessment, therapeutic interventions and goalbased recovery planning**For all three roles, you will bring:*** Ability to build effective, therapeutic relationships with young people and whānau* Strong teamwork and communication skills* Cultural competence and confidence working with Māori* Commitment to equity and safe, recoveryfocused practice* Effective timemanagement and adaptability* A full NZ drivers licence**Working at Health New Zealand**Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community**.** We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.**How to Apply**To apply please click **apply now**. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by **Monday 5th October 2026.** If you have any questions about the role, please contact Liam Jackson [e-mail] will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.## Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details| | || --- | --- || Employer: | Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui Hawke's Bay || Location: | Hawkes Bay || Position type: | Permanent Full time || Category: | Health || Date listed: | 21-Sep-2026 || Salary range: | N/A || Closing date: | 05-Oct-2026 || Reference: | HAW09689 |