Mind Health Practitioner

TalentMax Recruitment; Waitakere Ranges; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fono in New Zealand is seeking Mind Health Practitioners to join the LagiOla – Healthy Minds team, delivering brief, evidence-based mental health interventions for Pacific communities. You will work with individuals, whānau and communities in culturally safe settings.

You will collaborate with psychiatrists, psychologists and primary care teams, using Talanoa and Pacific-centred approaches to understand strengths and goals, supporting practical self-management and referral when needed.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to deliver brief behavioural or therapeutic interventions.
• Knowledge of mental health and wellbeing approaches for Pacific communities.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide brief, evidence-based mental health and wellbeing interventions for mild–moderate distress.
• Build trusting, culturally safe relationships with individuals, whānau and communities.
• Collaborate with GPs, Health Coaches, Navigators and other Fono services.
• Contribute to service development and quality improvement.

Skills

CBT knowledge

Active listening

Cultural capability

Education

Registered Psychologist

Registered Mental Health Nurse

NZAC full member

DAPAANZ-Registered Practitioner

Job description

Make a meaningful difference to the mental health and wellbeing of Pacific communities.

The Fono is looking for passionate and skilled Mind Health Practitioners (MHPs) to join our LagiOla – Healthy Minds team.

This is an opportunity to bring your professional expertise, cultural understanding and passion for early intervention to a role where relationships, whānau and community are at the heart of care.

As a Mind Health Practitioner, you will work alongside individuals, whānau and communities to provide brief, evidence-based mental health and wellbeing interventions for people experiencing mild to moderate psychological distress and a range of mental health, addiction, behavioural and wellbeing concerns.

You will be part of an integrated team working alongside Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Health Coaches, Navigators and primary care teams to make mental health support more accessible, culturally safe and responsive.

About the Role

Your work will include:

• Providing brief, evidence-based mental health and wellbeing interventions.
• Supporting people experiencing concerns such as stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, relationships, sleep, pain, parenting, trauma, long-term conditions and alcohol or other drug issues.
• Building trusting and culturally safe relationships with individuals, whānau and communities.
• Using Talanoa and Pacific-centred approaches to understand people’s strengths, circumstances, aspirations and goals.
• Supporting practical goal setting, coping strategies, self-management and behavioural change.
• Assessing needs and identifying risk within your professional scope, with appropriate escalation and referral when required.
• Providing warm handovers and connecting people with specialist, clinical, social, cultural and community supports.
• Working collaboratively with GPs, Health Coaches, Navigators, Support Workers, clinicians and other Fono services.
• Contributing to case discussions, supervision, group programmes, outreach, community engagement and health promotion.
• Supporting colleagues through consultation, education and practical advice around mental health and wellbeing.
• Contributing to service development, quality improvement and initiatives that improve outcomes for clients and whānau.

What You Will Bring

We are interested in hearing from professionals with strong mental health and wellbeing capability who are passionate about equitable, culturally responsive care.

You will have:

Current professional registration or certification acceptable to The Fono and the relevant funder, such as:

• Registered Psychologist
• Registered Mental Health/Psychiatric Nurse
• Registered Social Worker
• Registered Occupational Therapist
• NZAC full member
• DAPAANZ-Registered Practitioner

Or another relevant professional qualification accepted by the service.

Relevant experience in primary mental health, community mental health, addiction, counselling, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, nursing, health or a related field.

Experience providing brief behavioural or therapeutic interventions.

Knowledge of approaches such as CBT, ACT/FACT or other brief intervention models is advantageous.

Strong communication, relationship-building and active listening skills.

The ability to work confidently with individuals, whānau and families.

Sound professional judgement and the ability to recognise and respond appropriately to risk.

A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

A commitment to professional development, reflective practice and continuous improvement.

A genuine commitment to equity, early intervention and improving health outcomes for Pacific communities.

Pacific cultural knowledge and capability are highly valued. We are looking for people who understand the importance of vā, whanaungatanga, spirituality, family, cultural identity and collective wellbeing, and who can bring cultural humility and responsiveness to their practice.

A full New Zealand driver's licence is required

Why Join The Fono?

At The Fono, we believe good health and wellbeing starts with people, relationships and community.

LagiOla – Healthy Minds takes a Pacific-centred approach to mental health, recognising that wellbeing is connected to whānau, culture, spirituality, community and the wider circumstances of people's lives.

You will join a collaborative team where your professional expertise is valued, and you can contribute to a service focused on accessible, practical, and culturally safe support.

This is more than a clinical role — it’s an opportunity to help people and whānau build confidence, strengthen wellbeing and achieve meaningful change.

About Us

We are a community-led organisation committed to culturally safe, equitable services and honouring our responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We welcome applicants who reflect the communities we serve.