Ember Korowai Takitini blends professional expertise and lived experience to offer a range of services and supports for anyone with mental health, addiction or intellectual disability needs
At Ember we support people to live the lives they choose and we challenge the systems that hold them back.
We desire a society that better understands and responds to mental distress, addiction and intellectual disability.
Ember offers:
Puna Whakataa is a 10-bed Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) respite and treatment residential service in Manurewa, delivered in partnership with The Salvation Army.
Puna Whakataa means the spring of rest and respite, reflecting the welcoming environment the service creates for people who need some time and support to get back on track.
Guests can stay for up to 14 days while remaining connected to their community and the specialist AOD services supporting them.
This is more than preparing dinner.
As our Cook, you'll help create a welcoming and positive experience for the people staying at Puna Whakataa through nutritious, thoughtfully prepared food.
You'll take ownership of the day-to-day running of the kitchen, preparing balanced meals, planning menus, managing food supplies and stock, and ensuring the kitchen remains clean, organised and safe. You'll also cater for dietary requirements and help make mealtimes something our guests can enjoy and look forward to.
A New Zealand Certificate in Cookery Level 4 would be an advantage but isn't essential.
If you have your own lived experience of AOD challenges and recovery, this may also bring valuable insight to the role.
Ready to make a difference?
If this sounds like you, apply now with your CV and cover letter and tell us why you’re the right fit for this role. Please type your cover letter into the box provided rather than attaching it.
“He aha te mea nui o te ao? Maku e ki atu, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata”
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.
Ember is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace and are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all. We particularly welcome applications from our Māori, Pacific and Rainbow communities.
We will interview candidates as applications come through rather than waiting until the advertisement closes. The vacancy may be filled earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.

Ember Korowai Takitini (Ember) is a group of companies comprising five entities:The Ember Wellbeing Trust,Ember Services,Ember Innovations,Ember Systems,Kāinga Haumaru (Ember Housing).Ember Services is the largest, together with the other four it blends professional expertise and lived experience to offer a range of services and supports for anyone with mental health, addiction, or intellectual disability needs.We have a common purpose to support people to live the lives they choose, and we challenge the systems that hold them back.Our vision is for a society that better understands and responds to mental distress, addiction, and intellectual disability. We also own and produce the mental health and addictions podcast called Take It from Us , and its on line trade sector magazine called HORIZON