Psychologist IWS

Ministry of Education New Zealand; Tauranga; Hybrid; NZD 85,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

A New Zealand educational organization seeks a Te Kahu Tōī Psychologist in Tauranga. In this full-time role, you will transform the lives of vulnerable children and their families using a holistic, strength-based approach. The position offers a salary range from $85,416 to $126,000 per annum plus benefits. Flexibility for travel is required within the Bay of Plenty region.

Benefits

Flexible location options

Supportive team environment

Opportunities for professional growth

Qualifications

• Registered Psychologist with a current practicing certificate.
• Passionate about working with high-need families.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Responsibilities

• Transform lives of vulnerable children and families.
• Develop and deliver tailored psychological assessments.
• Lead data-informed practice and adapt strategies as needed.

Skills

Holistic working with high needs families

Cultural responsiveness

Collaboration across sectors

Empathy

Clinical curiosity

Solutions-focused mindset

Education

New Zealand Registered Psychologist

Job description

Overview

Date advertised: 23 Sept 2025

Job Type: Fixed Term

Location: Tauranga, NZ

Fixed term, full-time role to cover Parental Leave (January 2026 to January 2027). Based in Bay of Plenty, flexible location (Rotorua, Tauranga or Whakatāne). Fleet vehicle supplied for regional travel requirements.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

As a Te Kahu Tōī Psychologist, you’ll join a passionate, multidisciplinary team dedicated to creating change for ākonga with the highest and most complex needs – often those for whom traditional supports have not been enough. These young people may be disengaged from education, isolated from peers, and struggling in both home and community settings. Through Te Kahu Tōī, our Intensive Wraparound Service (IWS), we walk alongside some of the most vulnerable and high-needs tamariki and their whānau – those navigating a complex mix of behavioural, emotional, social, and learning challenges.

This is not your average psychologist role. You won’t just be assessing or observing – you’ll be transforming lives.

Using a highly individualised, whānau-centred and strength-based approach, you will:

• Work intensively with tamariki and whānau to understand the deep underlying needs beneath behaviour and learning difficulties.
• Develop and deliver tailored psychological assessments and dynamic, evidence-informed interventions.
• Support the people surrounding each child – including teachers, caregivers and specialists – to implement change and build sustainable, wraparound support.
• Lead data-informed practice and regularly review impact, adapting as needed.

You’ll become part of a highly supportive and connected wraparound service with regular supervision, peer support, and ongoing opportunities for growth and development in wraparound theory and practice.

This fixed term, full-time role can be based at either our Rotorua, Tauranga or Whakatāne Office. Please indicate in your application which location you would like to be based at. Flexibility to travel and deliver Intensive Wraparound Services to the wider Bay of Plenty region as needed is a requirement for this role.

Salary range: $85,416 - $126,000 per annum + 3% KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

About you | Mōhou ake

We’re looking for psychologists with a heart for justice, and a commitment to walking alongside tamariki and whānau through complexity, crisis, and change.

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• are a New Zealand Registered Psychologist with a current practicing certificate (current interns are also welcome to apply)
• are passionate about working holistically and intensively with tamariki and whānau experiencing high levels of need and challenge
• bring deep empathy, clinical curiosity, cultural responsiveness, and a solutions-focused mindset
• are confident working across education, health, and social sectors, and can lead collaborative, transdisciplinary responses
• are committed to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and honouring tangata whenua
• have a full, clean driver’s licence, clear police checks and a right to work in New Zealand
• the ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

Te Kahu Tōī, the Intensive Wraparound Service, is a national, specialist service that delivers intensive supports across domains to ākonga aged 5-14 with the highest level of need. These are tamariki with significant and often multiple challenges – emotional, behavioural, developmental – who need more than a one-size-fits-all response.

This role is your opportunity to make a profound difference where it matters most – for tamariki who are at risk of being left behind, and for whānau who need hope, support, and partnership.

Our team members say:

• “The work is hard – but the gains, even the small ones, are life-changing.”
• “I value the strong professional support. It keeps me grounded and connected.”
• “This is the first time I’ve truly seen systems change because of my input.”

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

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume using the ‘Apply’ button (please do not email your application). In your cover letter, we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

If you need any further information, please contact Liana Gibson, Service Manager/Psychologist for Te Kahu Tōī | Intensive Wraparound Service at 027 289 3894 and/or email [e-mail].

Applications close at midnight on Tuesday 7 October 2025.

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.