Senior Peer Support Specialist

Pathways Health Ltd; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Co-Learning sessions

Peer training Kia Mataara

Employer KiwiSaver contribution

5 weeks annual leave

Wellbeing days

HealthNow card

Perk & Perk Plus

Holiday programme assistance

Income protection insurance

Job summary

Pathways Health Ltd in Auckland is launching a new acute mental health service and seeks a Senior Peer Support Specialist to lead, coach and support a team of peer workers.

Draw on lived experience to model recovery, wellbeing and evidence-based peer practices while guiding shifts and promoting high-quality peer support.

This senior role offers HR partnerships, professional development, and a pathway to shape a pioneering service in Central Auckland.

Qualifications

• Experience leading peer support teams in mental health services.
• Completed Level 4 Health and Wellbeing certificate or equivalent.
• Ability to draw on lived experience to inspire peers.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.
• Strong networking with health partners and community sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate shifts for the peer team.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and support to Peer Support Specialists.
• Foster recovery-focused culture and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Te Whatu Ora, PHOs and community partners.

Skills

Leadership

Peer support

Coaching

Mentoring

Networking

Communication skills

Education

Level 4 Certificate in Health and Wellbeing or equivalent

Job description

• 3 x Full-time, Permanent roles available + Central Auckland location
• 5 weeks ofannual leave + Additional Employer KiwiSaver + 2 Wellbeing Days
• Senior role ina new service based on an internationally renowned peer crisis care model

Draw on your lived experience toinspire, support, and mentor others in a senior peer support specialist rolewithin a new acute mental health service based on a WHO-recognised peer supportmodel.

Kia ora, Tālofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Bula Vinaka,Fakalofa lahi atu, Kia Orana, Sastrikal, Namaste, Salam and warm Pacificgreetings to you.

“Ehara i te mea ko te haerenga, ko te taenga atu rāneite kaupapa. Ko te whanaungatanga kē! It's not the journey or thedestination its the company you keep”.

Pathways | MŠ mātō

As a leading mental health and addiction service in Aotearoa, we believein the power of lived experience and the impact of the peer workforce. We havewell established and effective peer workforce infrastructure which supports youin your mahi. Our collective mahi is to empower individuals to live full livesin their communities. We foster strong whānau connections.

TheService

We arebuilding an exciting, new peer-led community-based acute alternative tohospital within the Central Auckland Te Toka Tumai region. This is anopportunity for you to step into an exciting Senior Peer Specialist role.The service will be staffed by lived and living experience kaimahiwho are trained to deliver inspiring peer services alongside other clinicalkaimahi. You will role model and support our kaimahi to use recovery tools,models, and practices to inspire resilience, hope, and wellbeing.The service will be delivered inpartnership with other mental health and addiction providers and will beinformed by a rights and values-based approach to care. You’ll be reporting toa Team Coach and working with the support of your wider team.

The Benefits | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātŠ

• Access to monthly Co-Learning (Peer Supervision sessions) and coaching
• Professional development opportunities including our targeted peer training programme Kia Mataara
• Increased Employer Kiwisaver contribution
• Fifth Week of Annual Leave
• Paid Wellbeing Days (2 days a year)
• HealthNow Payment Card - $250 per year to support Health and Wellbeing for you and your whanau
• Perk & Perk Plus discount app
• Holiday programme assistance
• Income protection insurance

The Role | MŠ tėni tŠuranga mahi

We need an inspiring Senior Peer Support Specialist to provideleadership, coaching, and support within our peer team. Drawing on yourknowledge of the core peer competencies and peer values, you will oversee therunning of shifts, role model core peer values, and support Peer SupportSpecialists to grow and reach their full potential.

You will foster a culture of recovery, wellbeing, continuous improvementand innovation, while ensuring high-quality peer support practice. Throughauthentic leadership, coaching, and mentoring, you will empower kaimahi toachieve their personal best and provide meaningful support to the people weserve.

We have 3 permanent full-time positions available based in CentralAuckland;
Sunday – Thursday, 7:00-3:30pm
Tuesday- Saturday, 3:00pm- 11:30pm
Friday- Monday, rotating am/pm role

You | MŠu:

We are seeking experienced peers who can lead, inspire and supportothers while ensuring practice reflects peer values and principles.As well as having great leadership and peopleskills, you will have a demonstrated ability to work well with other servicessuch as Te Whatu Ora, PHOs and the wider community sector. You will thrive onthe challenge of helping to establish and grow a new team in an innovative newservice.

Skills and Experience | Ngā āĕ me ħė ukuu

• A working knowledge of the peer workforcecompetencies and have completed recognised Peer Support training
• Completed Level 4 certificate in Health andWellbeing or equivalency or intention to commence trainingwithin three months
• Able to speak to your lived and livingexperience and journey to wellbeing
• Proven networking skills
• Knowledge of, and demonstrable commitment to, the principles of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Applications Close:Monday, 5th October 2026.

Pleasenote, that this role may closer early if a suitablecandidateisfound.

Position Description:

https://www.wisegroup.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/PW-Senior-Peer-Support-Specialist.pdf

Contact:

Melanie Govender, Service and RelationshipManager on [e-mail] for any further information.

Pathways iscommitted to healthy lifestyles and actively supports a smoke free environment.We encourage people withlived and living experience of mental illness andaddictions to apply.