Job Description

He mahi manaaki, he mahi whanaungatanga: Supporting kaumātua to thrive.

What does it take to not just find a home, but to make it a home for life?

We are looking for a Community Connector to work alongside kaumātua across Kirikiriroa and the wider Waikato, supporting them to access safe, secure and sustainable housing, as well as the services and resources they need to thrive.

This is a proactive, relationship-based role. It is about taking the time to listen, understand individual circumstances and walk alongside kaumātua, recognising their mana, knowledge, strengths and aspirations.

Our Kaupapa

At Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa, our mahi is grounded in Whānau First, a Tikanga Based Wellbeing Approach and the belief that wellbeing is about seeing the whole person, their whānau and their connections.

Our pou guide how we put this into practice:

• Whanaungatanga: Build genuine connections and relationships based on trust.
• Manaakitanga: Show care, respect and compassion while upholding the mana of kaumātua.
• Rangatiratanga: Support kaumātua to make their own decisions and lead their aspirations.
• Tika: Act with integrity and do what is right.
• Pono: Be honest, trustworthy and consistent in our mahi.

About the Service

He Whare Kaumātua is a new initiative that aims to reduce kaumātua homelessness and rough sleeping in Kirikiriroa. You will be part of a small dedicated project team that will provide culturally responsive wellbeing support, housing navigation, social interventions, and street outreach, supporting vulnerable whānau to access safe, secure, and sustainable housing.

Our kaupapa is simple: Whānau First. Tikanga Based. Wellbeing Approach. Whānau at the heart, tikanga guiding the way, and wellbeing that sees the whole person.

About the Role

As Community Connector, you will proactively engage with kaumātua, including those who may be isolated, disconnected from services or unlikely to seek support themselves.

This is not a traditional referral-based case management role. You will be out in the community, actively building connections and reaching kaumātua who may not otherwise access support. Through whanaungatanga, kanohi ki te kanohi engagement and working alongside whānau and community networks, you will identify opportunities to provide support before people reach crisis point. Much of this mahi starts with being present, listening and building trust, sometimes over a cup of tea, before anything else.

Your mahi will include:

Building relationships: Connect with kaumātua through whānau, marae, iwi networks, kaumātua groups and community organisations. Build trust through kanohi ki te kanohi contact and regular engagement.

Workshops: Deliver workshops for kaumātua to support learning on housing, budgetig, managing a tenancy, and wellbeing.

Housing support and advocacy: Help kaumātua access housing, navigate applications and tenancy matters, and work with housing providers to secure safe, long-term homes.

Connecting to services: Link kaumātua with health, mental health, disability and community services, and help them access entitlements such as NZ Superannuation and the Accommodation Supplement.

Practical support: Arrange support with home safety and accessibility, heating, mobility equipment, transport and essential household items.

Working with whānau and providers: Work alongside whānau, iwi, hapū and organisations such as Te Whatu Ora and Whānau Ora to coordinate support.

Supporting safety and wellbeing: Identify concerns such as financial exploitation, isolation and unsafe living situations, and take appropriate action.

Recording and reporting: Keep accurate records, follow up on support provided and report on progress and outcomes for kaumātua.

Ko wai koe? | Who are you?

We are looking for someone who can connect with kaumātua, understand their needs and walk alongside them to access safe housing and the support they need. You will be approachable, resourceful and able to build trust with kaumātua, whānau and community networks.

You will ideally bring:

• Experience working with kaumātua, older people or Māori communities.
• Strong relationship-building, communication and advocacy skills.
• An understanding of housing challenges and the barriers people face accessing support.
• Confidence navigating housing, health and community services.
• The ability to work alongside whānau, iwi, community organisations and service providers.
• A flexible, practical approach and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and upholding the mana, dignity and aspirations of kaumātua.
• Knowledge of tikanga Māori, te reo Māori and existing relationships with local marae, iwi and community networks are a real strength.

Our non-negotiables

We are particularly interested in people who bring:

• Strong communication, advocacy and relationship-building skills.
• A full New Zealand driver's licence.
• The ability to meet all required safety and vetting requirements for working with a vulnerable population.
• The right to work in New Zealand.

He aha kei roto māu? | What’s in it for you?

This is an opportunity to contribute to something genuinely meaningful and help shape a project that is doing things differently.

You’ll join a team of more than 100 kaimahi delivering health and social services across Kirikiriroa and beyond, with the opportunity to use some serious clinical skills while building genuine relationships with kaumātua and whānau.

• Work in a kaupapa Māori organisation rooted in community service and cultural integrity.
• Monthly supervision and ongoing development opportunities.
• Access to medical insurance.
• Supportive team environment with a strong commitment to whanaungatanga and collective uplift.

Kua rite koe? | Does this sound like a bit of you?

If you are passionate about creating connections, enabling change and making a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you.

Mauria mai ō pūkenga. Mauria mai ō whakaaro. Mauria mai tō ngākau.

Bring your skills. Bring your ideas. Bring your heart.

Applications close on 24 November 2026.