Youth Peer Support Worker

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers; Henderson-Massey; On-site; NZD 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pay range of $25.67 - $30.52 per hour

Wellbeing support with counselling and

Staff discounts with partners

Generous leave entitlements

Ongoing training and development

Job summary

Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa offers a full-time Peer Support Worker position with its EaseUp Youth Service, based in Henderson. You will support rangatahi through community-based mental health and AOD programmes, drawing on lived experience to foster wellbeing and recovery.

The role emphasises building authentic relationships, collaborative work with partners, and documentation to ensure high-quality care. A strong commitment to te ao Māori and rangatahi wellbeing is essential.

Qualifications

• Lived experience of mental health and/or AOD recovery and willingness to share in a constructive way.
• At least 2 years' experience in mental health/addiction services working with youth.
• NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 4 or equivalent, or commitment to obtain within timeframe.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and engagement skills.
• Must hold and maintain First Aid certification, including CPR.
• Full, clean New Zealand driver licence.

Responsibilities

• Build authentic, trusting relationships with rangatahi and their whānau.
• Use lived experience to inspire hope, recovery, and self-determination.
• Help young people identify and work towards goals.
• Facilitate access to community resources and supports.
• Collaborate with colleagues and external partners for coordinated support.
• Maintain accurate documentation and contribute to a safe, high-quality service.

Skills

Lived experience

Youth engagement

Communication skills

First Aid CPR

Driver licence

Education

NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 4

Job description

Support rangatahi (young people) to build wellbeing, connection, and hope through community-based mental health and AOD support.

Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa is a for-purpose organisation working across diverse communities to support wellbeing. We provide a broad range of community-based mental health and addiction, residential and respite, housing, and social services. Our purpose is to support the dignity and mana of people so they can be well and healthy. We are committed to working alongside the people and whānau we support in ways that are holistic, person-centred, culturally safe, and strengths-based.

We have a full-time Peer Support Worker opportunity with our EaseUp Youth Service based in Henderson. EaseUp provides free, community-based mental health and AOD support to rangatahi (young people), delivered in ways and places that feel comfortable, including one-off sessions, ongoing support, and group wellbeing programmes. In this role, you'll use your lived experience to support young people on their wellbeing and recovery journeys.

You will:

• Build authentic, trusting relationships with rangatahi and their whānau (families).
• Use your lived experience purposefully to inspire hope, recovery, and self-determination.
• Support young people to identify and work towards their goals and aspirations.
• Facilitate access to community resources, programmes, and supports.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners to provide coordinated support.
• Maintain accurate documentation and contribute to a safe, high-quality service.

You are passionate about supporting rangatahi and understand the value of connection, lived experience, and genuine relationships. You bring a respectful and strengths-based approach, enjoy working in community settings, and are committed to helping young people achieve outcomes that matter to them.

You will bring:

• Lived experience of mental health and/or AOD recovery, with the ability to draw on this safely and purposefully. Please include details of your lived experience in your cover letter.
• At least 2 years' experience working in mental health and addiction services and with youth.
• NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 4 or an equivalent qualification, or a commitment to obtain this within the required timeframe.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and engagement skills.
• Must hold and maintain First Aid certification, including CPR, or be willing and able to complete this.
• A full, clean New Zealand driver licence.

Join a supportive team where lived experience is valued and recognised as an important source of knowledge and connection.

We offer:

• Pay range of $25.67 - $30.52 per hour.
• Access to extensive wellbeing support, including counselling, budgeting advice, coaching services, and mental health workshops to support your hauora (wellbeing) and personal growth.
• Staff discounts with Southern Cross Health, PB Tech, Harvey Norman, Anytime Fitness, and more.
• Generous leave entitlements, including wellbeing leave, cultural leave, and study leave where applicable.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Inclusive and supportive teams grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) and our Pou.
• Opportunities to grow within one of Aotearoa’s largest for-purpose organisations.