Youth Worker

Ngapuhi Iwi Social Services; Kaikohe; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services seeks a skilled Youth Worker to join the Hub & Outreach team in Kaikohe. You will provide culturally grounded mentoring and practical support to Teina and whānau, strengthening wellbeing, resilience and cultural identity.

You'll develop individual plans, facilitate group activities, and build trusted relationships with schools, hapū, iwi and community providers, contributing to positive outcomes for rangatahi within a kaupapa Māori framework.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Youth Work, Social Services, Community Development or Māori Development (or equivalent demonstrated experience).
• Experience building trusted relationships with Teina, whānau and communities.
• Commitment to kaupapa Māori and whānau wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally grounded mentoring and individual support to Teina.
• Develop and support individual plans that build Teina strengths and goals.
• Facilitate group programmes and activities that enhance life skills and cultural identity.
• Build mana-enhancing relationships with Teina, whānau, schools and community providers.
• Connect Teina and whānau with appropriate support services and opportunities.
• Work as part of a prototype team testing new ways of working and contributing to learnings.

Skills

Mentoring

Relationship building

Cultural safety

Advocacy

Education

Youth Work qualification

Social Services qualification

Community Development qualification

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.

We're seeking a skilled, compassionate and motivated Youth Worker to join our Hub and Outreach team.

You'll be walking alongside Teina and their whānau, providing culturally grounded mentoring, advocacy and practical support that strengthens wellbeing, resilience, cultural identity and connection to Te Ao Māori.

Our mahi is focused on building trusted relationships with Teina, understanding their strengths and aspirations, and supporting them to develop positive pathways in education, whānau, culture and their wider community. You'll also work with Teina who may be experiencing challenges such as disengagement or involvement with Oranga Tamariki or the justice systems.

Strong relationships with Teina, whānau, schools, hapū, iwi, community organisations and other agencies are critical to success. Your role will be to nurture these relationships and connect Teina and whānau with the right support and opportunities.

The mahi is part of a programme where we'll be testing new ways of working, and your knowledge and experience will contribute to the design and learnings.

As Youth Worker, Hub & Outreach you'll be:

• Providing culturally grounded mentoring and individual support to Teina
• Developing and supporting individual plans that build on Teina strengths, aspirations and goals
• Facilitating group programmes and activities that strengthen life skills, confidence, cultural identity and positive connections
• Building trusted, mana-enhancing relationships with Teina and whānau
• Developing strong, collaborative relationships with providers, community groups, hapū and other key stakeholders who also support mokopuna
• Connecting Teina and whānau with schools, community services and other appropriate support

This is a full-time fixed-term role ending 30 June 2027 because it supports the time-limited Enabling Communities prototype. Applications from people seeking an agreed secondment may also be considered. The role is based in Kaikohe, with travel required from time to time.

You're passionate about supporting Teina to realise their potential and have a genuine commitment to kaupapa Māori, whānau wellbeing and creating positive outcomes for young people.

You'll have experience working with Teina, whānau and communities, with a relevant qualification in Youth Work, Social Services, Community Development, Māori Development or a related field, or equivalent demonstrated experience.

You're a natural relationship builder who can connect with Teina while maintaining strong professional boundaries. You're organised, adaptable and confident working with young people who may have diverse or complex needs.

You'll bring an understanding of Te Ao Māori and tikanga Māori and be able to work in a culturally responsive, strengths-based and mana-enhancing way.

You'll be comfortable working collaboratively with whānau, schools, community providers and government agencies while maintaining accurate records and recognising when safeguarding or other concerns need to be escalated.

You'll have strong facilitation and collaboration skills to not only support the delivery of learning programmes to Teina, but also to plan them with diverse stakeholders.

You're comfortable in ambiguous scenarios and are open and flexible to change. We are establishing and running a prototype, and you will be a key enabler of the testing and the learnings it generates.

We are seeking someone who will contribute positively to a collaborative, high-trust and kaupapa-driven team, and demonstrate mana-enhancing behaviour in their work.

You'll be based in the beautiful Tai Tokerau with rolling hills, lush forests, white sand beaches and a wealth of heritage and cultural sites.

You'll also be part of an organisation that has over 30 years’ experience providing social services across the rohe.

Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services provides a range of support and services including youth services, family harm support, care and mātua atawhai services and more.

We provide opportunities for our kaimahi to develop their reo Māori and knowledge of Te Ao Māori and Ngāpuhitanga in a supportive and encouraging environment.

The closing date and time, Wednesday 16th September at 5:00pm.