Support Worker Jobs in New Zealand

• 1 x Fixed Term/Secondment position available till May 2026!
• As a member of our Clinical Services team in Bay of Plenty, physically based in Tauranga
• Competitive salary starting from $81,206.00 to $97,557.00 depending on experience

Looking for a challenge and want to work in collaboration with our government and community partners? We are seeking applications from energetic, committed registered social workers who have completed or part way through the specialist child interviewer training.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

This position will have primary responsibility for the specialist interviewing of Tamariki and Rangatahi throughout the Bay of Plenty rohe, working as a member of the child interview team and alongside Oranga Tamariki kaimahi on sites and Police Child Protection Teams around the rohe.

Other tasks such as presentation of site trainings and social work support will be involved with attention to maintaining of robust and helpful relationships with site kaimahi, Police and other collaborating partners.

There will be a requirement to travel routinely throughout the region and an expectation that all peer review and interview accreditation requirements will be met in the timeframes set out.

The interviewer will be supervised by the Clinical Services Team SCI supervisor.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

Key requirements of the role include:

• Full registration with New Zealand's Social Work Registration Board (SWRB)
• A social work qualification recognised by the SWRB
• Social Work experience in care and protection mahi as a senior practitioner or equivalent experience.
• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples' culture
• Specialist child Interview training and achieved or achieving accreditation will be an advantage.
• A full, clean, current driver's licence

Mō mātou | About us

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

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.

We are committed to 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

We offer the opportunity to be part in creating a vibrant and supportive team, and a commitment to professional development and wellbeing. We welcome diversity, building relationships and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience whilst further expanding your interest in this area of professional practice with our tamariki, rangatahi and their families.

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

Please note this role is only open to internal applicants, please apply using your Oranga Tamariki email login. If you have any questions about role, or would like to review the position description please contact Info_recruit@ot.govt.nz

Hurry as applications for this role will close on 16th March 2026!

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol."