Peer Support Specialist

Pathways Health Ltd.; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extra annual leave

Wellbeing days

HealthNow card

Employee discounts

Specsavers discounts

Medical insurance discounts

Job summary

Pathways Health Ltd. seeks a Peer Support Specialist based in Christchurch for Tue–Sat, 3pm–11:30pm shifts. You bring personal lived mental health experience to connect with others on their recovery journey.

You will join a 24/7 Peer Acute Alternative Service team, offering compassionate, person-centered support and aiming to reduce hospital admissions.

Qualifications

• You’ll have Intentional Peer Support training (IPS) or Peer Employment Training (PET) and may study toward one.
• Hold the New Zealand Certificate Level 4 in Health and Wellbeing (or recognised equivalent).
• Have had 18 months wellness before applying.
• Full New Zealand driver’s licence.
• Current comprehensive first aid certificate or willingness to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Make it personal – build genuine connections and provide culturally safe, compassionate support.
• Support everyday independence – help tangata whai ora with daily living skills and encourage choice.
• Be there when it matters – offer encouragement, reassurance and practical support during recovery.
• Work together as a team – keep notes, handovers and admin tasks; collaborate for consistent, quality support.

Skills

IPS training

PET training

Education

NZ Certificate Level 4 in Health and Wellbeing

Job description

• You must holdthe NZCHW L4 (or equiv) + Tues – Sat 3pm – 11.30pm
• Own lived mental health exp and 18+ months of wellness before applying
• You’ll enjoyextra annual leave and 2 wellbeing days annually

We’re looking for someone whose had their own mental healthjourney through to recovery to support others on their mental health journey

Summary

You’veexperienced mental health challenges yourself and your lived experience is yourstrength. Having experienced mental health challenges yourself and maintained aperiod of wellness for at least 18 months before applying, you bring a uniqueability to relate to others who may be going through similar experiences ontheir recovery journey.

The benefits | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou

• An extra weekof annual leave after 12 months
• Two wellbeingdays each year
• $250 per year on a HealthNow card
• Access to awide range of discounts through our employee app
• Specsaversdiscounts for you and your whānau
• Southern Crossmedical insurance discounts

The role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi

Tuesday– Saturday 3pm – 11.30pm, based in Christchurch.

You know from your own experiencethat mental health challenges can affect everyone differently. As a PeerSupport Specialist in our 24/7 Peer Acute Alternative Service, you’ll use thatunderstanding to connect with and support tāngatawhai ora during challenging times.

Our service offers an alternativeto hospital admission, providing a safe, supportive environment where peoplecan focus on their wellbeing and recovery. You’ll join a team of 24 staffworking across a range of shifts, bringing compassion, connection and a whateverit takes approach to your work.

As a Peer Support Specialist, youwill:

• Make it personal – understand each person’s individual needs,build genuine connections and provide culturally safe, compassionatesupport.
• Support everyday independence – help tāngata whai ora with daily living skills, encouraging confidence, choice and independence.
• Be there when it matters – offer encouragement, reassurance andpractical support as people navigate challenges and work towards recovery.
• Work together as a team – keep accurate notes, complete handovers and administrative tasks, and collaborate with colleagues to provideconsistent, quality support.

About You | Mōu

You’ll draw on your own understanding of mental health and the tools that support your wellbeing to help others navigate their own recovery journey.

You’ll also:

• You’ll haveIntentional Peer Support training (IPS) or Peer Employment Training (PET)Certificate or be willing to study towards one.
• Hold the New Zealand Certificate Level 4 in Health and Wellbeing (or a recognised equivalent).
• Had a period of wellness of 18 months before applying
• A full NewZealand drivers licence
• You must hold acurrent comprehensive first aid certificate or be willing to obtain one.

About Pathways | Mō mātou

AtPathways, we support people across Aotearoa to live full, meaningful lives intheir communities. Mental health and overall wellbeing are at the heart of whatwe do, and strong whānau connectionsguide our work. Our ‘whatever it takes’ wairua is all about personalised, compassionatesupport.

Closingdate: 6 November 2026. Please note, this advert may close early if asuitable candidate is found.

Position description: https://www.wisegroup.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/PW-Peer-Support-Specialist.pdf

Contact: TinaSheveleva, Team Coach on [e-mail] if you have anyquestions.

For further information, visit our websitewww.pathways.co.nz Pathways is committed to healthy lifestyles and actively supports a smokefree environment. We encourage people withlived experience of mentalillness & addictions to apply.