Psychologist IWS

NZ Ministry of Education; Whakatāne; On-site; NZD 86,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fleet vehicle

Regular supervision

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

NZ Ministry of Education in Whakatāne is seeking a Te Kahu Tōī Psychologist to join a multidisciplinary wraparound team. You’ll work intensively with tamariki aged 5–14 with high needs, developing assessments and interventions, supporting teachers and caregivers, and leading data-informed practice with regular supervision.

The role requires NZ Registered Psychologist with current practicing certificate, willingness to travel across Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and East Cape, and adherence to Public

Qualifications

• NZ Registered Psychologist with current practicing certificate.
• Experience with high-need tamariki aged 5–14.
• Ability to travel across Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and East Cape.

Responsibilities

• Work intensively with tamariki and whānau to understand underlying needs.
• Develop and deliver tailored psychological assessments and interventions.
• Support teachers and caregivers to implement change and wraparound support.
• Lead data-informed practice and regularly review impact.

Skills

Empathy

Clinical curiosity

Cultural responsiveness

Solutions-focused mindset

Education

New Zealand Registered Psychologist

Current practicing certificate

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

NZ Ministry of Education – Whakatane, North Island

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 ākonga in our education system.

• Permanent, full-time
• Based in either Gisborne/Tairāwhiti or Whakatāne, Bay of Plenty (preferred) or Hawke's Bay
• Fleet vehicle supplied for regional travel requirements

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. The challenges are big, but the impact you'll have is even bigger.

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 role provides Intensive Wraparound Services for the Gisborne/Tairāwhiti/East Cape region and the ability to travel and deliver services to these areas as needed is a requirement for this role. The ability to travel and deliver services to these areas as needed is a requirement for this role. While it is preferable that this role is based at either our Gisborne or Whakatāne Office, candidates can be based in the Hawke's Bay area (Napier Office).

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

For more details about the role, you can view Job Description here.

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
• 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 whenuatanga
• 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.

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.

• "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."

If you need any further information, please contact Mary Curran, Service Manager for Te Kahu Tōī | Intensive Wraparound Service at 07 376 1871 and/or email ***********@education.govt.nz.

Applications close at midnight on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.

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.