Psychologist

Ministry of Education New Zealand; Auckland; On-site; NZD 86,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Education New Zealand is seeking a dedicated Psychologist to provide equitable psychological services for children and young people with learning needs. The role focuses on applying strengths-based approaches, identifying patterns affecting learning and collaborating with families, schools and educators across diverse settings.

The successful candidate will hold a Master’s degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology (or equivalent), be a NZ-Registered Psychologist

Qualifications

• Master’s level qualification required.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology or equivalent.
• New Zealand Registered Psychologist with current practising certificate.

Responsibilities

• Apply a strengths-based approach to support learning, wellbeing and behaviour.
• Identify patterns influencing learning and wellbeing in diverse settings.
• Enhance inclusive practices in early learning services and schools.
• Collaboratively support learner goals with schools, teachers and whānau.

Skills

Counselling

Negotiation

Mediation

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Master’s degree

Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology

Job description

Help shape the future of Education

Excellent outcomes

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

The role of the Psychologist is to provide effective, efficient and equitable psychological services for the benefit of children and young people with additional learning needs in accordance with the goals, objectives and policies of the Ministry of Education.

Date advertised: 26 Aug 2026
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Waitakere City, NZ

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes.

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

As a Psychologist, you will:

• Apply a strengths-based approach.
• Identify patterns or contributing factors that may be influencing learning, wellbeing and behaviour.
• Enhance inclusive practices in early learning services, schools and other educational settings.
• Collaboratively support progress with learner goals
• Provide professional support and guidance to schools, teachers and parents/caregivers/whānau and in collaboration, support the development and implementation of intervention plans.

Salary range: $85,916 - $126,500 per annum + KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

About you | Mōhou ake

To be successful in this role you will have the following experience:

• Experience in a complex organisation
• Experience in building relationships and partnerships to achieve shared outcomes.
• Working effectively with children and young people and their families/whānau across a diverse range of settings
• Proven experience counselling, negotiating, mediation, and contracting.
• A proven ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities, to influence and guide organisational and system-level decision making

You will also offer:

• A master’s level tertiary qualification and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology or equivalent.
• Be a New Zealand Registered Psychologist under the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act and hold a current practising certificate.
• The ability to translate specialist knowledge into practical information.
• The ability to contribute your specialist skills and co-ordinate service provision within multi-agency, trans-disciplinary settings.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively with ākonga/learners, whānau/families and kaiako/teachers across a diverse range of settings.
• The ability to understand and apply the principles of Te Tiririta o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga.
• A full driver licence as travel will be required.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The Education Services Group provides well-designed, integrated education services that support the impactful and effective operation of education settings to support student achievement and participation. The services help to remove barriers to participation and learning and provide regulatory advice, support and oversight to early learning providers, schools and kura.

Key priorities for Education Services

• Practice & Guidance: Managing practice and guidance to improve national coordination and consistency, whilst enabling regional autonomy for education service delivery.
• Integration & Delivery: Providing education support directly to education settings via integrated regional and national services. This includes intervening when necessary to ensure a high standard of operation to support student outcomes and owning key stakeholder relationships to support schooling improvement and stronger outcomes for learners.
• Monitoring & Improvement: Monitoring and advising on improvements to the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of services for achievement and progression, and attendance and participation. This includes monitoring education provider performance against regulations and intervening as required.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

For further information, please contact Kay Gunston at [e-mail]

Applications close Midnight – Sunday, 13 September 2026