Youth Worker

Wise Group; Rotorua; Hybrid; NZD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Wise Group house, contents and car ins

Discounted premiums with Southern Cros

Financial risk and planning review

Job summary

Real Lakes Youth Service in Rotorua is seeking an experienced Youth Worker to support taiohi aged 12 to 24 within schools and the community, using individual and group approaches to build confidence and wellbeing.

You will align with tikanga and kawa, contribute to primary mental health work, and join a team of clinicians and youth workers on a fixed-term, full-time basis in Rotorua. The role runs 40 hours/week, 8:30am–5:00pm, ending 15 October 2027.

Qualifications

• A Level 4 NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (NZCHW) or recognised equivalent or studying towards equivalent.
• Experience in working with young people and an understanding of trauma-informed care.
• Understanding of local community issues and of tikanga Māori.
• De-escalation skills and relationship-building skills.
• Current full New Zealand Driver Licence
• An inspiring and enthusiastic outlook on life

Responsibilities

• Join Real Lakes Youth Service in Rotorua to support taiohi aged 12–24.
• Deliver early intervention in schools and the community using individual and group-based approaches.
• Align with tikanga and kawa and support the clinical components of Whetū Marewa - Primary Mental Health.
• Support wellbeing, confidence and resilience in taiohi living with mild to moderate mental health and addiction-related issues.

Skills

De-escalation

Relationship building

Trauma-informed care

Driver Licence

Tikanga Māori understanding

Understanding of local community

Education

NZCHW Level 4

Studying towards equivalent

Job description

• Fixed-term, full-time Youth Worker role based in Rotorua
• Discounted Premiums with Southern Cross + other great wellbeing benefits
• Live work-life balance while creating new possibilities for taiohi

Do you thrive in working with taiohi, teachers and other health & social service workers to build confidence, resilience and wellbeing of taiohi?

Real |Mō mātou

Our spirit is 'loving life', and that's what we do - we work with our taiohi to realise this aspiration.

Whetū Marewa (Rising Star)

is a primary mental health youth service in the Rotorua region. The service aims to build the confidence, resilience and wellbeing in taiohi who are living with mild to moderate mental health and addiction related issues and social stressors.

We are a mix of clinicians and youth workers who work with taiohi aged 12 to 24 years, offering a flexible and youth-centered approach to wellbeing.

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Wise Group house, contents and car insurance plan
• Discounted premiums with Southern Cross
• Financial risk and planning review

We are on the lookout for an experienced Youth Worker to join our Real Lakes Youth Service in Rotorua. A youth-focused early intervention program in the Lakes region operates within schools and the community, utilizing both individual and group-based approaches.
You will align with our tikanga (principles) and kawa (practice) and support the clinical components of Whetū Marewa - Primary Mental Health.

This is a fixed-term, full-time position working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm, based in Rotorua. The fixed-term contract will conclude on 15 October 2027.

Our preferred candidates will have:

• A Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (NZCHW) or a recognised equivalent or be studying towards a recognised equivalent.
• Experience in working with young people and an understanding of trauma-informed care.
• An understanding of local community issues and of tikanga Māori.
• Both de-escalation skills and relationship building skills.
• A current full New Zealand Driver Licence
• An inspiring and enthusiastic outlook on life

Closing Date | Rā Katinga

28 November 2026.

Please note, this advert may close sooner if a suitable candidate is found prior to the closing date.

Contact | Whakapā

Katy Roberts, Team Coach - Clinical via email at [e-mail]

For further information, visit our website www.real.org.nz

Real is supported by Pathways Health Limited, part of the Wise Group. Pathways is committed to healthy lifestyles and actively supports a smoke-free environment.

All new appointees into Pathways require background checking. Under the requirements of the Children's Act 2014, new employees that are identified as coming under this act are required to undergo further safety checks as part of the recruitment process.