Job Description

We are seeking compassionate, resilient, and values-driven individuals to join our kaupapa māori residential service. This is an opportunity to walk alongside taiohi (young people), supporting their healing, growth, and reconnection in a safe and mana-enhancing environment.

About the Organisation

Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa is a kaupapa Māori organisation based on a whānau-first, tikanga-based, wellbeing approach. Our organisation works to a model of care centred around our pou (guiding principles) of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, arohatanga, rangatiratanga, tika and pono. We deliver health and social services across the lifespan and have a team of over 100 people working across Hamilton city and beyond.

About the Service and the Role

Our Youth Wellbeing Whare (supervised residential home) is located on a 40-acre farm in Karapiro.

As a Youth Mentor, you will help build identity, belonging, and whanaungatanga (relationships), providing structure and supporting taiohi to reconnect with their whānau and wider community. Youth Mentors play a key role in creating a supportive, structured environment where taiohi can strengthen their identity, build life skills, and move toward positive futures.

The role works on a four-days-on / four-days-off roster, with 12-hour shifts (7.00am–7.00pm or 7.00pm–7.00am).

Key Responsibilities

• Provide manaakitanga (care and support), mentoring, and guidance to taiohi with complex needs and vulnerabilities.
• Build trusting relationships that support connection, healing and growth.
• Use tikanga-based activities to explore identity and whakapapa while recognising the taiohi’s cultural needs, values, and practices.
• Support reconnection with whānau and other social services.
• Work collaboratively with external professionals to achieve positive outcomes.
• Maintain professional boundaries to ensure safety, wellbeing, and high-quality care

About You

Our ideal candidate will bring:

• A genuine passion for working alongside rangatahi in ways that are positive, trauma-informed, and mana-enhancing.
• Experience in youth work, mentoring, social services, teaching, or community support.
• An understanding of adolescent development and ideally knowledge of addiction and related issues.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people.
• The ability to remain calm, supportive, and professional in challenging situations.
• An understanding of Te Ao Māori and kaupapa Māori values, including manaakitanga and whanaungatanga.
• Reliability and flexibility to work 12-hour shifts on a 4 days on / 4 days off roster, including nights, weekends, and public holidays.

Essential Requirements

• New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Full New Zealand Driver Licence.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to meet all required safety and vetting requirements for working within a Youth Justice service.

What We Offer

• Work in a kaupapa Māori organisation rooted in community service and cultural integrity.
• Contribute to meaningful mahi that uplifts whānau, is based on tikanga, and supports wellbeing.
• Monthly external supervision.
• Medical Insurance.

Ready to join us?

If you are committed to working in a kaupapa Māori environment, passionate about supporting rangatahi, and want to grow your practice while making a meaningful difference, we’d love to hear from you!

Applications for this role close on Sunday, 23 August 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.