Mental Health Support Worker - CHB

Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga; Hawke's Bay; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks Annual leave

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Birthday Leave

Wellness Initiatives

Job summary

Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga is seeking a dedicated Support Worker for Oranga Hinengaro in Central Hawke’s Bay. The role focuses on supporting whaiora with mental health needs, delivering practical and emotional assistance, and guiding whānau through services in a culturally responsive way.

Based in Waipukurau with regular Hastings travel, you’ll join a team of professionals and operate from 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. A full driver’s licence and relevant qualifications are essential.

Qualifications

• Two years of relevant on-the-job experience in community-based mental health or support work.
• Current and valid Full Driver’s Licence.
• Level 4 Certificate in Mental Health or other relevant tertiary qualification.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of kaupapa and tikanga Māori within a mental health or social services context.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside whaiora experiencing mental health challenges, supporting their journey to wellbeing.
• Provide practical and emotional support, helping whānau navigate services.
• Collaborate with keyworkers, clinicians and other services within the organisation to provide wrap around support.
• Uphold the mana of each whaiora, using a strengths-based, whānau-centred approach.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Self-motivation

Whānau engagement

Driver’s licence

Education

Level 4 Certificate in Mental Health

Other relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Oranga Hinengaro is our community based, kaupapa Māori, high needs Mental Health service.
We are looking for a skilled kaimahi to join our Oranga Hinengaro team to support whaiora and their whānau in Central Hawkes Bay.

About Us

Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga is local, successful and nationally recognised, kaupapa Māori health and social services organisation.
We have been providing services to whānau in our local communities across the East Coast for over 40 years.
In addition to our main site in Heretaunga we have a number of services that we offer in Central Hawkes Bay, Wairoa, Manawatu and Wairapapa.

Our Oranga Hinengaro service is focused on supporting those in our community who are living with complex, ongoing mental health needs.
Our community based Support Worker role for Central Hawkes Bay, is part of our wider team that is made up of Registered and Clinical specialists based in our Hastings office.
This support role works alongside these professionals providing wrap around support and regular contact with the whaiora and their whānau.
This is a permanent, full time role based in our Waipukurau office. Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm.
You will also need to regularly travel to our Hastings site for MDT Hui, Team Hui and other organisation events from time to time.
We are recruiting now for this role to start in the January 2027.

We are open to candidates who live in Hastings. In this case, you would use a fleet vehicle to travel from Orchard Road to Waipukurau 3 days a week and be based 2 days a week at our Orchard Road office supporting the wider OH team.

The Role

• Work alongside whaiora experiencing mental health challenges, supporting their journey to wellbeing
• Provide practical and emotional support, helping whānau navigate services
• Collaborate with keyworkers, clinicians and other services within the organsation to provide wrap around support
• Uphold the mana of each whaiora, using a strengths-based, whānau-centred approach

What we are looking for:

• A high standard of professionalism and work ethic
• Able to work independently and be self-motivated
• Ability to communicate with and motivate whānau from all walks of life
• Willingness to work effectively as part of a team
• Knowledge of kaupapa and tikanga Māori within a mental health or social services context
• Current and valid Full Driver’s Licence
• Level 4 Certificate in Mental Health OR other relevant tertiary qualification AND
• At least 2 years of relevant on the job experience in community-based mental health or support work.

What we offer:

Our benefits include: 5 weeks Annual leave, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Birthday Leave, Wellness Initiatives plus other fun, kaupapa driven activities and events.

Check out more information on our website or Facebook about our awesome organisation.

Applications Close:

Monday 9th November 2026