We’re looking for a Team Leader who brings sound judgement, steady leadership, and a genuine commitment to the people we work alongside.
At The People’s Project, our work continues to evolve as we strengthen how Housing First is applied in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our Tauranga team works alongside people experiencing homelessness through relationship-centred practice, consistency, strong system navigation, and a focus on sustainable housing outcomes.
If you’re an experienced leader who can coach, support and challenge a team doing complex work, and stay steady under pressure, this could be the role for you.
The People’s Project is Aotearoa New Zealand’s first large-scale Housing First provider. Since 2014 we have worked in Hamilton and Tauranga, partnering with people to end their experience of homelessness. Guided by Housing First, we support people into housing quickly. We then walk alongside them to build the foundations for sustained wellbeing.
We are a committed team working alongside landlords, health services, and community to create lasting change.
We value diversity and are committed to an inclusive environment where people are respected, safe, and able to be themselves. This includes cultural identity, lived experience, and diversity in all its forms.
As Team Leader, you’ll lead a team of around six Case Managers in Tauranga, reporting to the Tauranga Manager. Your team supports people into permanent homes, connects them with services in the community, and provides wraparound support for as long as it’s needed.
This is a permanent role, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8am–4:30pm, based in Tauranga. The role aligns with the Social Worker pay equity spine and is expected to start in early to mid-January 2027.
Leadership comes naturally to you. You bring professional warmth, sound judgement and clear boundaries, and you lead by example under pressure. Coaching people and helping them grow gives you a real sense of purpose.
You value diversity, inclusion and culturally responsive practice. You understand the importance of working in ways that uphold equity and mana.
You’ll also bring:
At The People’s Project, we believe everyone deserves a place to call home and a sense of belonging. Our mahi is grounded in mana, equity, and walking alongside people without judgement. We are looking for people who genuinely connect with this kaupapa.
The People’s Project is part of The Wise Group. For more information, visit www.wisegroup.co.nz and thepeoplesproject.org.nz.
Position description: https://www.wisegroup.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPP_Team-Leader.pdf
Closing date: Sunday 22 November 2026. We’ll be reviewing applications and may interview as they come in, so we encourage you to apply early.
Contact: Please contact Wendy Grant, Hiring Manager, on 027 210 7121 or wendy.grant@thepeoplesproject.org.nz if you have any questions.
All new appointees require background checking. Under the requirements of the Children’s Act 2014, new employees who are identified as coming under this Act must undergo further safety checks as part of the recruitment process. Note: The Criminal History Check is exempt from the Clean Slate Act, so the Clean Slate Act does not apply to this position. Please declare any offences (even those older than 7 years) in your application.
At the Wise Group we believe in creating new opportunities for the wellbeing of people, vulnerable populations, organisations, and communities.
We operate in New Zealand's mental health and addictions sector, are one of the largest non government providers in the sector
From humble beginnings over 35 years ago, today we employ over 1,500 staff throughout the country, working in areas from frontline service to software development. We have a parent and subsidiary structure encompassing a family of charitable entities, all linked by a common dream. Our structure nurtures synergy and innovation, and means we’re transparent and accountable.
Our whānau includes:
• Wise Management Services
• Pathways
• Real
• Te Pou
• Le Va
• Workwise
• Wild Bamboo
• LinkPeople
• The People's Project
• Housing First Auckland
Here's what drives us:
Each year our Group works with thousands of New Zealanders and their families. We provide people with a broad range of community-based mental health and wellness services. In doing so we dramatically reduce their need for high-cost hospital and acute services and help people have happier, more fulfilling and more productive lives.
Each year the Group's housing services help people find and live in affordable homes, also helping them appreciate the rights and responsibilities of being tenants and managing homes.
Each year the Group's employment agency helps people who experience a serious mental health condition get off benefits, become financially independent and reclaim their self-esteem by finding and retaining paid jobs.
Each year people throughout the country attend professional development programmes through the Group's NZQA certified training organisation.
Each year thousands of mental health professionals in the public and private sector are supported and developed via the Group's national workforce development organisation.
Together we make a real difference by creating connections to support people to find and live their dreams.
