Whānau Resilience Team Lead

Ngāti Awa te toki, te tangatanga i te rā, te ngohengohe i te wai

Over the years, Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa (also known as Ngāti Awa Social & Health Services) has grown into a leading iwi provider of health, social, and employment services, and more recently, Kāinga Māori development services. Our mission is to support whānau, hapori, and iwi to achieve prosperity and well-being.

This is an exciting opportunity for a values-driven leader who is passionate about empowering teams, and making a meaningful difference in our community.

He Ara Hou – The Opportunity

As the Whānau Resilience Team Lead, you will provide both strategic and operational leadership across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring positive outcomes for whānau.

Working collaboratively with key partners, you will lead a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement while ensuring contractual obligations, compliance requirements, and service targets are consistently achieved.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring contractual KPIs, reporting, and compliance requirements are met.
• Leading recruitment, performance management, and workforce capability development.
• Monitoring service performance, data integrity, and quality outcomes to support informed decision-making.
• Contributing to strategic planning, innovation, and the ongoing growth and development of services.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with whānau, iwi, community organisations, and government agencies.
• Championing a culture of continuous improvement, quality assurance, and health and safety excellence.

He Manawa Tītī – Your Strengths and Capabilities

You are an experienced and values-driven leader with a strong commitment to kaupapa Māori practice, whānau wellbeing, and bring extensive experience in the social services sector. You have the ability to navigate complex whānau needs with confidence, integrity, and cultural responsiveness.

You will also bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, or a related social services discipline.
• Current Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) registration, or eligibility to register.

• At least five years’ experience in the social services sector, including a minimum of two years in a leadership, coordination, or supervisory role.

• Strong skills in managing high-risk situations, coordinating multi-agency support, and applying sound risk assessment, decision-making, and safety planning practices.

• The ability to build and maintain effective relationships with iwi, government agencies, community stakeholders, and partner organisations.
• A solid understanding of relevant legislation, professional practice frameworks, and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

• A full New Zealand Driver's Licence.

Ngā whiwhinga – What we offer

Join us in Whakatāne, a coastal town with all the essentials, surrounded by rivers, beaches and native landscapes. You’ll be part of a workforce immersed in Te Ao Māori, with pathways to expand your skills and knowledge through our Te Pou Mataaho wānanga and other professional development initiatives. We offer a competitive salary reflective of your experience, along with a range of staff benefits subject to eligibility. Explore the opportunities we have available and grow your career with us.

Tono Mai – Apply today

Applicants must have the legal right to work in Aotearoa, New Zealand. If you’re ready to bring your skills, values, and commitment to a kaupapa that enables whānau to thrive, apply today

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