Peer Support Kaimahi- Emergency Department

Purapura Whetu; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Purapura Whetū Trust in Christchurch is seeking experienced Tuakana-Teina Kaitautoko / Peer Support Specialists for the Emergency Department service. This fixed-term role supports tāngata whaiora and whānau with mana-enhancing, culturally safe peer support during distress, grounded in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and kotahitanga.

The role offers manaakitanga-based, whānau-centred support in collaboration with Odyssey Christchurch and Stepping Stone Trust through 1 July 2026 to 31 June 2027.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years experience in Peer Support (paid or voluntary).
• Intended or completed Intentional Peer Support (IPS) or Tuakana-Teina training.
• Level 4 Health & Wellbeing qualification (Mental Health & Addiction or Peer Support) or willing to work towards this.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice.

Responsibilities

• Build safe, positive, and supportive relationships with tāngata whaiora experiencing distress.
• Leverage lived experience of recovery to support others.
• Assist people to understand and navigate the ED experience.
• Collaborate with clinical staff to enhance person-centred care.
• Help connect people and whānau to ongoing community supports after discharge.
• Promote autonomy, hope, and recovery.

Skills

Peer support

Active listening

Communication

Relationship building

Teamwork

Education

Level 4 Health & Wellbeing qualification

IPS / Tuakana-Teina training

Job description

Purapura Whetu – Christchurch, South Island

We have fixed term roles available from 1 July 2026 to 31 June 2027:

The role can either be :

• A full time role Monday – Friday 12.30 – 9pm

Or two part time roles :

• Role One: 24 hours per week, Monday–Wednesday, 12.30pm–9.00pm
• Role Two: 16 hours per week, Thursday–Friday, 12.30pm–9.00pm

Are you passionate about using your lived experience to support others through times of acute distress?

Purapura Whetū Trust, in collaboration with Odyssey House and Stepping Stone Trust, is seeking experienced Tuakana-Teina Kaitautoko / Peer Support Specialists to join our Peer Support Specialist in ED service at Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department.

This is a unique opportunity to provide mana-enhancing, culturally safe, whānau-centred peer support to tāngata whaiora and whānau accessing the Emergency Department during times of significant distress. Grounded in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and kotahitanga, this role is about walking alongside people, fostering hope, and strengthening connections to ongoing support.

We have fixed term roles available from 1 July 2026 to 31 June 2027:

The role can either be :

• A full time role Monday – Friday 12.30 – 9pm

Or two part time roles :

• Role One: 24 hours per week, Monday–Wednesday, 12.30pm–9.00pm
• Role Two: 16 hours per week, Thursday–Friday, 12.30pm–9.00pm

Are you passionate about using your lived experience to support others through times of acute distress?

Purapura Whetū Trust, in collaboration with Odyssey House and Stepping Stone Trust, is seeking experienced Tuakana-Teina Kaitautoko / Peer Support Specialists to join our Peer Support Specialist in ED service at Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department.

This is a unique opportunity to provide mana-enhancing, culturally safe, whānau-centred peer support to tāngata whaiora and whānau accessing the Emergency Department during times of significant distress. Grounded in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and kotahitanga, this role is about walking alongside people, fostering hope, and strengthening connections to ongoing support.

In this role, you will:

• Build safe, positive, and supportive relationships with tāngata whaiora experiencing mental distress and/or addiction
• Lived experience of recovery from mental distress and/or addiction
• Support people to understand and navigate the ED experience
• Work alongside clinical staff to enhance person-centred care
• Help connect people and whānau to ongoing community supports after discharge
• Promote autonomy, self-determination, hope, and recovery

What we are looking for:

• May have personally accessed Emergency Department or other support services services during acute distress
• Has a minimum of two years experience in either a Peer Support role or paid / unpaid mutual support Mahi
• Has ideally completed Intentional Peer Support (IPS) or Tuakana-Teina training ( if not we will support you to complete this training )
• Ideally holds a Level 4 Health & Wellbeing qualification (Mental Health & Addiction or Peer Support), or equivalent or is willing to work towards this qualification
• Is confident working in a fast-paced, high-demand environment
• Brings strong communication, active listening, relationship-building, and teamwork skills
• Is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and inclusive, culturally responsive practice

About us

This service is a collaboration between Purapura Whetū Trust, Stepping Stone Trust, and Odyssey Christchurch, bringing together kaupapa Māori, peer-led, addiction and mental health expertise to support tāngata whaiora and whānau in the Emergency Department.

This is an opportunity to be part of an innovative, values-led service that places lived experience, cultural safety, and whānau wellbeing at the centre. You’ll work within a collaborative team committed to equity, recovery, and meaningful support for people at a critical time in their journey.