Permanent & Fixed Term Social Workers - Teaotahi Whangarei

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Whangarei; On-site; NZD 81,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children seeks qualified social workers to join the Whangārei team at Teaotahi site on a permanent and fixed term secondment to November 2027.

You will assess and support mokopuna and whānau, prepare reports and court documents, and work in partnership with families and agencies to achieve positive outcomes. A New Zealand Social Work Registration with an Annual Practising Certificate is required.

Qualifications

• SWRB registration and Annual Practising Certificate required
• Social worker qualification recognised by SWRB
• Full, clean driver’s licence
• Experience with tamariki and whānau preferred

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments, prepare reports and Family Court documents
• Develop plans and referrals with whānau and agencies
• Participate in Family Group Conferences and coordinate with stakeholders
• Support tamariki and rangatahi to have a voice and safe outcomes

Skills

Cultural awareness

Tikanga Māori understanding

Communication skills

Risk assessment & decision making

Team collaboration

Education

SWRB registration with Annual Practising Certificate

Social worker qualification recognised by SWRB

Full, clean driver’s licence

Job description

We are seeking qualified and experienced social workers to join us for a permanent and fixed term opportunity to Novemner 2027

Join us in making a meaningful difference to the lives of our tamariki.

• Based at our Teaotahi Site, Whangarei
• Competitive salary ranging from $81,206 to $97,557 depending on experience
• 1x Permaneng + 1x Fixed Term / Secondment opportunity to November 2027

Hei awhitanga nga mahi o Te Tai Tokerau. Tu te Tangata, Tu te Rohe, Tu te Mana. Tihei, tihei mauri ora (embrace the collective response with communities).

Our Social Workers say they work at Oranga Tamariki because they have the opportunity to change the lives of tamariki and young people, make a difference and help our kids get a better life. Do you want to be a part of that? If so, look no further we have the role for you!

It takes a whole village to raise tamariki we are offering a renewed sense of community and a unique opportunity for social workers to join our growing whānau orientated team at Teaotahi site - where you will be encouraged and supported to work effectively with Māori using Te Toka Tumoana, our indigenous and bicultural principled framework.

In these fast-paced roles, you will be expected to operate collectively with a team of social workers and other critical thinkers, inclusive of whānau hapū, iwi and communities. Tamariki do not live-in isolation; they sit at the centre of a whānau and sometimes caregiving families.

Mŋ mŋútou | About us

Oranga Tamariki is a name that has been gifted to us and is our commitment to improving the safety and wellbeing of tamariki and that of the community we serve. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of mana (prestige), tika & pono (doing things the right way), aroha (love) and whākapapa (relationships) to shape how we work and deliver the outcomes in our site plan.

This role represents an opportunity to shape a new way of working with culturally grounded solutions and innovations that support our approach and direction toward transformational change for the care and protection system - one that builds on the good things that are already happening, and, most importantly, innovates to find new ways of doing things to achieve better outcomes for all.

Mŋ te ūuŋ | About the role

At our Teaotahi site in Whangarei, we work alongside our community partners to bring about positive outcomes for our children, young people and their whānau. Our Social Workers at Oranga Tamariki-Ministry for Children manage a variety of tasks using the latest assessment frameworks; you will work hard to get quality outcomes for mokopuna and whānau.

A big part of your day will be working with children and young people to ensure their voices are heard. You will complete assessments, reports and formal Family Court documents, create plans, complete referrals, participate in Family Group Conferences and partner with other agencies, stakeholders and the community to get the best outcomes for our tamariki. Your ability to overcome barriers and skill to drive positive outcomes will put you in good stead for this challenging and hugely rewarding role.

Oranga Tamariki offer an impartial remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $81,206 to $97,557 dependant on experience. We offer the opportunity to work in a diverse, supportive and committed team alongside a range of professional development opportunities.

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit

Ngā pūümanawatanga ŏuŋu | What will you bring?

• Cultural awareness and an understanding of Tikanga Māori principles
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Registration with New Zealand's Social Work Registration Board (SWRB) and a current Annual Practising Certificate
• A social worker qualification recognised by the SWRB
• A full, clean and valid driver's licence
• The ability to analyse and prepare social work and financial plans
• Sound judgement skills
• Strong organisational skills
• The ability to manage risk and make tough decisions
• Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt to your audience
• Good written skills as you will need to write court reports and case notes
• A positive outlook and supporting nature

Applications for this role will close on 27th November 2026

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol