Provide high quality advice on professional practice from a Māori perspective for our tamariki
Opportunity to focus on tangata whenua and improve social work practice
Live within and support Tamariki in Tāmaki Makaurau, Waikato, Rotorua, Taupo, Bay of Plenty and the East Coast

Mō mātou | About us

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

• We put Tamariki first
• We believe Aroha is vital
• We respect the Mana of people
• We are Tika and Pono
• We value Whakapapa
• We recognise that Oranga is a journey

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.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Reporting to the Manager Regional Practice Quality, this role will be responsible for providing specialist practice advice and support to the Chief Social Worker and Professional Practice group and the wider Oranga Tamariki organisation to support initiatives and developments that promote and deliver quality practice for Māori.

The purpose of the Practice team is to provide leadership advice, coaching and mentoring to support continuous improvement of practice approaches across all areas of service provision (youth justice, adoptions, care and protection, residences and community homes) and practice settings with an outward focus to support and strengthen practice. 

Within this team your role as the Senior Māori Practice Advisor will be to:

• Provide specialist practice advice and support to the Chief Social Worker and Professional Practice group
• Support and participate in the development of practice that focuses on tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau utilising indigenous and bicultural research.
• Support service delivery in the on-going development of cultural competence in working with tamariki Māori and their whānau.
• You will work with our new practice approach and framework to enhance the development of practice including, guidance and tools that help build capability and intentional cultural practices as we strive towards competent practice and outcomes for tamariki Māori.

Key to this role will be how you model and apply the principles of mana tamaiti, whakapapa and whanaungatanga to guide practice with tamariki Māori and their whānau.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

Key requirements of the role include:

• Recognised commitment to te Ao Māori and the promotion of te reo me ōna tikanga.
• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori.
• Proven ability to engage and manage stakeholder relationships.
• Being a conceptual thinker who can translate our aspirations for Māori into actionable practice.
• Knowledge and experience of Māori approaches within a social services practice context.
• Proven experience and expertise in tikanga Māori.
• Ability to use clear and professional written and verbal communication.
• A tertiary qualification or equivalent relevant experience is essential. The qualification may come from a number of different fields of study, including social work (desirable) or other human sciences.
• Full registration with New Zealand's Social Worker Registration Board, or ability to obtain full registration.
• An understanding of Youth Justice is desirable.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offer an impartial remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $106,416 and $117,782 dependant on experience, with annual tenure-based progression steps available above this range.

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 and welcome diversity; we are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.

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

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your Oranga Tamariki email address.

If you have any questions about role, please contact Info_recruit@ot.govt.nz

Applications close: 6th May 2025