Occupational Therapist - Wahi Oranga

New Zealand Government Joba; Nelson; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora invites an Occupational Therapist to join Wāhi Oranga in Nelson. The role supports tangata whai ora through assessments, rehabilitation, and practical assistance to enable independence and meaningful daily life.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team, delivering recovery-focused care and collaborating with other health professionals to promote wellbeing and quality of life.

Qualifications

• Registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand and a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• Experience in mental health, rehabilitation, community health, or a related area.
• A recovery-focused approach and a genuine passion for supporting tangata whai ora.
• Strong communication, assessment, and clinical reasoning skills.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessments, interventions, rehabilitation, and practical support to enable independence and participation in daily life.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to deliver person-centred, strengths-based care.
• Support clients on their recovery journey and empower whānau and communities.

Skills

Registration

Annual Practising Certificate

Mental health experience

Recovery-focused care

Communication skills

Time management

NZ Driver's licence

Education

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Job description

Occupational Therapist - Wāhi Oranga, Nelson Hospital, Permanent Part time or Full-time

Are you passionate about empowering people to live meaningful, independent lives? Do you enjoy working as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team that values collaboration, innovation, and recovery-focused care?

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

As an Occupational Therapist within Wāhi Oranga, you'll support tangata whai ora on their recovery journey by providing assessments, interventions, rehabilitation, and practical support that helps people achieve the their goals and participate fully in everyday life.

This role offers the opportunity to work alongside experienced Occupational Therapists and Allied Health Assistants in a supportive environment where collaboration and shared learning are highly valued. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you'll collaborate closely with a range of health professionals to deliver person-centred, strengths-based care that promotes wellbeing, independence, and quality of life.

This is a permanent role, working up to 80 hours per fortnight (1.0 FTE), Monday to Friday between the hours of 7:00AM to 5:00PM. There is flexibility around the FTE, with the role able to be offered at a minimum of 0.8 FTE (64 hours per fortnight). Please view the position description for further information. PD in review.

About the Team/Service/ Location

Wāhi Oranga provides specialist mental health services across the Nelson Marlborough region. Our team is passionate about supporting recovery and delivering high-quality care that makes a lasting difference for individuals, whānau, and our communities.

You’ll be joining a welcoming and supportive team that values collaboration, continuous learning, and professional growth. We foster a positive team culture where every contribution is valued and where you'll have the opportunity to further develop your skills and experience within mental health.

Nelson Tasman offers an exceptional lifestyle with a stunning coastline, national parks, vibrant arts and food scene, and sunshine hours that are among the highest in New Zealand. Whether you enjoy outdoor adventures, family life, or a balanced lifestyle, Nelson is a fantastic place to call home.

For more information on living and working in Nelson click here

About you

• Registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand and a current Annual Practising Certificate
• Experience in mental health, rehabilitation, community health, or a related area
• A recovery-focused approach and a genuine passion for supporting tangata whai ora
• Strong communication, assessment, and clinical reasoning skills
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Adaptability, resilience, and a positive attitude
• A full, clean New Zealand driver's licence

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in New Zealand or hold a valid NZ visa at the time of applying. Working at Health New Zealand

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.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Sonja Rae (Recruitment) at [e-mail] OR Tamarin MacLeod (Clinical Nurse Manager) at [e-mail]

Job ref: R1N26-295

We 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.