Occupational Therapist

Wise Group; Tauranga, Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 39,000 - 52,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional leave

Two paid wellbeing days

Health & wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Wise Group in Tauranga is seeking an experienced Registered Occupational Therapist or Social Worker for a part-time role (10 hours; flexible pattern). The role sits with Whetū Marewa, a brief and early intervention service for taiohi, delivered in-office, in schools and in the community.

You will provide individual and group-based therapies, emphasize creativity and engagement, and balance clinical duties with a youth-centered, flexible approach to help taiohi flourish.

Qualifications

• Current New Zealand clinical registration.
• Understanding of local community issues and a commitment to tikanga Māori.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to upholding the mana of taiohi, whānau and the kaupapa.
• Strong therapeutic skills and ability to deliver brief, short-term interventions.
• Ability to uphold integrity and mana of young people and the service.
• Experience in group facilitation and creating inclusive spaces.
• Creative and flexible practice with confidence to engage young people differently.
• Relationship-based approach prioritising trust, connection, mana and taiohi voice.
• Experience across individual, whānau, group, school and community settings.
• Strong assessment and intervention skills for short-term models.
• Positive, enthusiastic outlook with warmth and energy.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• A current New Zealand Driver Licence.
• A current first aid certificate.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group-based therapeutic interventions in office, schools and community.
• Engage taiohi through creative, youth-centred activities and non-traditional formats.
• Deliver brief interventions and facilitate groups with a youth-focused approach.
• Build trusted relationships and maintain engagement to achieve meaningful outcomes.
• Collaborate with taiohi, whānau, schools and community services.

Skills

Group facilitation

Brief intervention

Youth engagement

Relationship building

Communication skills

Independent & collaborative work

Creativity

Humour & warmth

Education

New Zealand practising certificate

First aid certificate

Driver Licence

Job description

• Additional leave | Two paid wellbeing days | Health & wellbeing benefits
• Current New Zealand Occupational therapist registration required, social workers also encouraged to apply

Are you a registered clinician who is passionate about working alongside taiohi and doing ‘whatever it takes’ to help young people flourish?

Do you bring creativity, energy and a willingness to think outside the square? Are you confident delivering brief therapeutic interventions, facilitating groups and finding engaging ways to connect with young people?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

This is a part-time, permanent position based in Tauranga, 10 hours available with flexibility around work pattern.

You’ll join our Whetū Marewa service — meaning ‘rising star’ — our access and choice programme for young people. The name reflects the potential within every taiohi and our belief that young people can achieve healthy, connected and fulfilling lives.

Whetū Marewa is a community-based, brief and early intervention service supporting taiohi who may be experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges, or social stressors.

You’ll provide both individual and group-based therapeutic interventions, working from our office, in schools and out in the community.

This is a role where no two days look the same. We want you to bring your creativity and be prepared to think outside the square when engaging taiohi. Engagement in therapy doesn’t always need to look like sitting in an office— sometimes connection happens through an activity, a shared experience, humour, creativity or simply doing something that makes sense to the young person.

We believe it’s possible to achieve therapeutic outcomes while having fun. Building relationships, creating moments of joy and helping young people experience success are all important parts of effective therapeutic practice.

You’ll use your professional skills, clinical judgement and creativity to make interventions engaging, relevant and accessible, while maintaining a clear focus on positive therapeutic outcomes.

You’ll bring your experience, creativity and passion for working alongside taiohi, with a genuine belief in their strengths, potential and ability to create positive change.

You will bring:

• Current New Zealand clinical registration
• An understanding of local community issues and a commitment to tikanga Māori
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to upholding the mana of taiohi, whānau and the kaupapa Strong therapeutic skills and the ability to deliver effective brief and short-term interventions that achieve meaningful outcomes
• The ability to uphold the integrity and mana of both the young person and the service
• Experience in group facilitation, creating engaging and inclusive spaces where taiohi can connect, learn, share and build confidence
• A creative and flexible approach to practice, with the confidence to think outside the square and try different ways of engaging young people
• A relationship-based approach that prioritises trust, connection, mana and the voice of the taiohi
• Experience working across individual, whānau, group, school and community settings
• Strong assessment and intervention skills, with the ability to identify strengths, build resilience and support positive change within a short-term intervention model
• An inspiring, enthusiastic and positive outlook, with a good sense of humour and the ability to bring warmth and energy to your work
• The ability to work confidently both independently and collaboratively, developing strong relationships with taiohi, whānau, schools, community services and other professionals
• The ability to develop and maintain strong internal and external relationships

Most importantly, you’ll bring a belief that positive change can happen in many different ways. You’ll be someone who can combine professional Social Work practice with creativity, curiosity, humour and a willingness to have fun — supporting taiohi to experience connection, confidence and enjoyment while achieving meaningful therapeutic outcomes.

We’re looking for an experienced Registered Occupational Therapist or Social Worker.

You’ll be confident working within a brief and early intervention model and comfortable balancing clinical responsibility with a flexible, youth-centred approach.

Our preferred candidate will have:

• A current New Zealand practising certificate
• Experience working with young people/taiohi and whānau
• Experience in therapeutic interventions and group facilitation
• An understanding of local community issues and tikanga Māori
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills
• The ability to work independently and innovatively
• A full New Zealand Driver Licence
• A current first aid certificate
• Knowledge of, and demonstrable commitment to, the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi

We want our people to feel valued and supported, so you’ll have access to a range of benefits, including:

• Increased employer KiwiSaver contribution
• 5th week of annual leave after 12 months of service
• 2 paid wellbeing days each year
• $250 Extraordinary payment card each year to support you and your whānau health and wellbeing
• Supportive team environment where creativity, innovation and wellbeing are valued

Why REAL?

At REAL, we’re not looking for someone who simply wants to tick boxes.

We’re looking for someone who wants to make a difference.

Someone who can build a genuine connection with a young person, recognise their strengths, find a different way in when the usual approach isn’t working, and celebrate the small wins along the way.

Someone who understands that therapeutic work can be purposeful and enjoyable.

If you are an occupational therapist who brings professional expertise, creativity, curiosity, humour and a passion for helping taiohi flourish, we’d love you to join us.

Closing Date | Rā katinga:

12 November 2026. Please note, this job ad may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found.

Contact | Whakapā mai

Caroline Henry, Team Coach – Clinical Social Worker, at [e-mail].

For further information, visit www.real.org.nz

Real is supported by Pathways Health Limited, part of the Wise Group. Pathways are committed to healthy lifestyles and actively support a smoke-free environment.

Note:

The Criminal History Check is exempt from The Clean Slate Act. In other words, the Clean Slate Act does not apply to this position. Please declare any offences (even outside 7 years) in your application.

All new appointees into Pathways require background checking. Under the requirements of the Children's Act 2014, new employees that are identified as coming under this act are required to undergo further safety checks as part of the recruitment process.