Youth Worker - Westgate

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Mahurangi West; On-site; NZD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children invites a dedicated Youth Worker to join the Westgate Care & Protection team on a permanent basis. The role supports the non-social work components of each young person’s plan, collaborating with social workers and other professionals to achieve positive tamariki outcomes.

You will engage with rangatahi and whānau, accompany them to appointments, and help build independence skills while contributing to planning and feedback within the team.

Qualifications

• Familiar with Te Reo Māori and Tikanga.
• Full and clean NZ driver’s licence.
• Understanding of Oranga Tamariki as an organisation.
• Appreciation of cross-cultural practices; knowledge of Māori and Pacific cultures.

Responsibilities

• Engage with whānau and rangatahi in the plan.
• Spend time with rangatahi and relate to young people.
• Support care standards and positive outcomes with social workers.
• Attend meetings with agencies (Police, Education, Health, community).
• Make and coordinate rangatahi appointments.
• Involve in activity-based and recreational programmes.
• Take rangatahi to appointments not requiring a social worker.
• Help rangatahi learn independence skills like shopping and budgeting.
• Support rangatahi at Family Group Conferences.
• Record and perform admin tasks to support the team.
• Support attendance at visits with mental health/education services.
• May attend visits to homes or with whānau.

Skills

Te Reo Māori familiarity/Tikanga

NZ driver’s licence

Understanding of Oranga Tamariki

Cross-cultural practices knowledge (Mā

Job description

• Role will be based at our Westgate Site with our Care & Protection team
• We're offering a competitive salary starting from $57,760 to $65,334, depending on experience
• Permanent Youth Worker position available

Mō te tūnga | About the role

At our site, we are working differently with our tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau. We are taking a collaborative team approach to decision making, planning and case management.

This position will see you involved in all aspects of supporting the team to implement the non-social work components of the young person's plan. The scope for development in this role is great and you will be a valued member of the team.

• Engaging with whānau and other people involved in the rangatahi's plan
• Spending time with the rangatahi and relating well to young people
• Working alongside Social Workers to support the mahi of bringing to life the Care Standards and positive outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi
• Attending meetings with the rangatahi and other professionals from a range of different agencies e.g. Police, Education, Health and the community
• Making and coordinating appointments for rangatahi
• Involving in activity based and recreational programmes with our rangatahi
• Taking young people to appointments that do not require a social workers presence
• Helping rangatahi to learn independence skills such as shopping and budgeting
• Supporting rangatahi at Family Group Conferences
• Recording and other administrative tasks to support the team
• Supporting rangatahi to attend visit e.g. with mental health and education services
• May be required to attend visits to the home or with other whānau

These are just examples; a lot will depend on the special skills you bring to the team and how these can contribute to better outcomes for our rangatahi. You will be involved in the planning for the rangatahi and provide valuable feedback to the team from your involvement.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

Key requirements of the role include:

• Familiar with Te Reo Māori and Tikanga
• Full and clean NZ driver's licence
• An understanding of Oranga Tamariki as an organisation
• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples' culture

Mō mātou | About us

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

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 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.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offer an impartial remuneration package ranging from $57,760 to $65,334 depending on experience.

We offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow.

Applications for this role will close 13th November 2026.