We are seeking compassionate, resilient, and values-driven individuals to join our team as Youth Mentors. 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 Role
Iti Māpihi Pounamu is a 10-acre farm in Karapiro and offers a safe environment and intensive support for taiohi as they navigate their healing journey. As a Youth Mentor, you will help build identity, belonging, and whanaungatanga (relationships), 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.
This is a full-time, six-month fixed-term role through to the end of September 2026, with the potential to move into a permanent position. 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). As part of the rostered team, you will work across weekends and public holidays to help ensure consistent support for the young people in our care.
Key Responsibilities
- Build trusting relationships that support healing and growth.
- Provide manaakitanga (care and support), mentoring, and guidance to taiohi with complex needs and vulnerabilities.
- Use tikanga-based activities to explore identity and whakapapa.
- 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.
- Reliability and flexibility to work 12-hour shifts on a 4 days on / 4 days off roster, including nights, weekends, and public holidays.
- An understanding of Te Ao Māori and kaupapa Māori values, including manaakitanga and whanaungatanga.
To be considered for this role, you must:
- Have the legal right to work in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ citizen, permanent resident, or valid work visa)
- Hold a full, clean New Zealand driver’s licence, as driving is required in this role.
- Be able to meet safety checking and police vetting requirements in accordance with the Children’s Act.
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
- Access to 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 29 March 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
