Peer Support Specialist

Wise Group; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extra annual leave

Wellbeing days

Health card allowance

Discounts via employee app

Specsavers discounts

Medical insurance discounts

Job summary

Pathways in Christchurch seeks a Peer Support Specialist who has lived experience with mental health and a wellness period of at least 18 months. You will join a 24/7 Peer Acute Alternative Service, drawing on personal experience to connect with individuals on their recovery journey.

You will provide compassionate, non-judgemental support, help with everyday independence, and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure consistent, high‑quality care.

Qualifications

• Must have lived experience of mental health with 18+ months wellness.
• Hold NZCHW L4 or equivalent in Health and Wellbeing.
• Full New Zealand driver’s licence.
• Current comprehensive first aid certificate or willingness to obtain one.
• IPS or PET certificate or willingness to study toward one.

Responsibilities

• Build meaningful connections and offer compassionate, non-judgemental support.
• Help tāngata whai ora feel understood, respected and hopeful on their recovery journey.
• Work within Pathways’ 24/7 Peer Acute Alternative Service and collaborate with a 24‑staff team.
• Maintain accurate notes, handovers and administrative tasks.

Skills

Lived experience

Empathy

Compassion

Communication skills

Education

NZ Certificate Level 4 in Health and Wellbeing

IPS or PET certificate

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 a period of wellness for at least 18 months before applying, you bring a unique ability to relate to others who may be going through similar experiences ontheir recovery journey.

Inour 24/7 Peer Acute Alternative Service, you’ll draw on your own livedexperience to build meaningful connections, offer compassion and non-judgemental support, and help tāngata whai ora feelunderstood, respected and hopeful about their recovery.

Thebenefits | 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

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 and practical 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 provide consistent, quality support.

About You | Mōu

You’lldraw 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 a current comprehensive first aid certificate or be willing to obtain one.

AboutPathways | 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.