Social Worker

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

Benefits offered by this job

Reduced Southern Cross premiums

Vision care

SWRB and APC renewal costs covered

Professional networking

Training and development

23 days annual leave rising to 25 days

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children is seeking qualified, registered social workers for a permanent full-time role based at Te Awamutu in Waikato. You will assess needs, formulate intensive plans, and partner with families, iwi and agencies to improve outcomes.

You must hold SWRB registration, a recognised social work qualification, a current driver's licence, and strong communication skills. Salary starts from $81,206 to $97,557 per year, with progression through tenure.

Qualifications

• Full registration with New Zealand's Social Work Registration Board (SWRB) or eligible to register.
• A social worker qualification recognised by the SWRB.
• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices, in particular tikanga Māori and Pacific cultures.
• Full, clean, current driver’s licence.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated resilience, problem solving and flexibility.
• Strong PC and Microsoft Office Suite skills with excellent report writing.

Responsibilities

• Meet with tamariki, rangatahi and families to listen to their needs and perspectives.
• Complete assessments of need and formulate intensive intervention plans.
• Participate in hui-ā-whānau, family group conferences and multi‑agency partnerships.
• Collaborate with iwi, hapū and other agencies to improve outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi.

Skills

Communication skills

Resilience & problem solving

MS Office & report writing

Education

SWRB registration

Recognised social work qualification

Job description

• Permanent Full time Opportunity available


• Position based in Te Awamutu, Waikato


• Remuneration starting from $81,206 - $97,557 dependent on experience

Mō te tūnga | About the role

The wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi is everyone's responsibility. They deserve to feel safe, have their voices heard, and be surrounded by loving whānau and community.

If these words capture why you became a Social Worker, then you belong on the journey we have begun at Oranga Tamariki. We're looking for qualified, registered, and experienced social workers who want to make a real difference by putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of everything they do.

As part of our dynamic team based at our Te Awamutu site , you may spend your day meeting with tamariki, rangatahi and their family and whānau listening to what they have to say, completing assessments of need, formulating intensive intervention plans, participating in hui-ā-whānau, family group conferences, and partnering with other agencies, community groups and local iwi to improve outcomes.

Salary for this role starts between $81,206 - $97,557 per annum with further progression through tenure.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

• Full registration with New Zealand's Social Work Registration Board (SWRB) or able to register


• A social worker qualification recognised by the SWRB


• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples' culture


• A full, clean, current driver's licence


• Excellent written and oral communication skills


• Demonstrated resilience, problem solving techniques and flexibility


• Strong PC and Microsoft Office Suite skills with excellent report writing skills

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

• Reduced Southern Cross premiums


• Vision care


• SWRB and APC renewal costs covered


• Opportunity to build your professional network with colleagues across the wider children's workforce


• Significant training and professional development so that you can continue to grow and thrive


• 23 days annual leave for full time staff, increasing to 25 days annual leave after 5 years' service (pro-rated for part time)

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

Mō mātou | About us

Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

• We put Tamariki first


• We believe Aroha is vital


• We respect the Mana of people


• We are Tika and Pono


• We value Whakapapai?
  
• We recognise that Oranga is a journey

Our vision is to ensure New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.

Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children has a commitment of putting children first, we believe aroha is vital, we respect the mana of people, we are tika and pono, we value whakapapa and we recognise that oranga is a journey.

Applications close: 24th September 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.