Social Worker - Papakura

New Zealand Government; Auckland; On-site; NZD 81,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, Papakura site, is seeking a dedicated Social Worker to support tamariki, rangatahi and whānau. The role involves comprehensive assessments, hui facilitation, and collaboration with community partners to secure positive outcomes for children.

You will join a supportive team, work across cultural groups, and contribute to planning interventions that keep tamariki within their whānau.

Qualifications

• Full, clean driver’s licence (NZ)
• Current practising certificate with the NZ Social Worker Registration Board (SWRB)
• Social worker qualification recognised by the SWRB
• Experience in child protection sector in Aotearoa/New Zealand
• Empathy, patience and sound judgment
• Ability to analyse and prepare social work and other plans (e.g., financial)
• Ability to manage risk and make tough decisions

Responsibilities

• Hear tamariki and rangatahi voices and support whānau to make positive changes
• Work with diverse cultural groups and backgrounds
• Complete full assessments on tamariki, rangatahi and whānau
• Facilitate hui to support whānau to grow their caregiving capacity
• Plan and deliver interventions to maintain tamariki and rangatahi within their whānau
• Collaborate with partners in the community, NGOs and state sector
• Advocate for tamariki and rangatahi to access needed support and resources

Job description

Permanent position available at our Papakura Site. We're offering a competitive salary starting from $81,206 to $97,557, depending on experience.

About us

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. We are committed to ensuring that 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. We are committed to putting tamariki 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.

About the role

In order to make positive changes in the lives of children and families in our community, we need people like you who have knowledge, experience and are passionate about the wellbeing of children. Join a team with big hearts and a passion for getting things right for its children, young people and community. You can be part of a positive and supportive team and help children and young people be safe, strong and thrive.

• Hear tamariki and rangatahi voices and support them or their whānau to make positive changes
• Work with various cultural groups and people from different backgrounds
• Complete full assessments on the tamariki, rangatahi and whānau
• Be able to hold and facilitate a hui, with a focus on supporting whānau to grow their capacity to care for their tamariki and rangatahi
• Be involved in planning and delivering interventions to maintain tamariki and rangatahi within their whānau
• Work alongside partners in our community, non-government organisations and state sector agencies
• Be an advocate on behalf of tamariki and rangatahi to ensure they have the support and resources needed to reach their full potential

What you will bring

Ideal candidate for this role is an experienced Social Worker who has worked in Aotearoa in a similar role for a non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector and/or someone who has worked within Oranga Tamariki previously.

• A full, clean, current driver's licence
• Full registration with New Zealand's Social Work Registration Board (SWRB) and Current practising certificate
• A social worker qualification recognised by the SWRB
• Recent and relevant experience with Oranga Tamariki and one of our Social Worker roles
• Empathy, patience and ability to see past what someone may be struggling with
• Experience within the child protection sector, preferably within NZ
• The ability to analyse and prepare social work and other plans e.g. financial
• Able to demonstrate sound judgement and organisational skills
• The ability to manage risk and make tough decisions

What's in it for you

We offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing.

• Vibrant and supportive team
• Flexible work options
• Genuine commitment to wellbeing
• Significant training and professional development
• Inclusive and respectful workplace
• Impartial remuneration package with annual progression and progression annually for experience through tenure.

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/

Applications for this role closes on 30th August 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.