Mātanga Tamariki – Intensive Intervention & Specialist Support

Te Haumirimiri Ngākau Mokopuna | Te Waka Tamariki Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora

Salary starting from $70,000, dependent on relevant qualifications, skills and experience

Are you ready for mahi that challenges you, grows you, and gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau?

Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora is looking for experienced and passionate Mātanga Tamariki to join our Intensive Intervention & Specialist Support stream, with opportunities available across our Te Haumirimiri Ngākau Mokopuna and Te Waka Tamariki teams.

These are frontline roles working alongside tamariki, rangatahi and whānau who may be experiencing complex circumstances and require a higher level of intervention, coordination and sustained support.

Te Haumirimiri Ngākau Mokopuna

Te Haumirimiri Ngākau Mokopuna is a collaborative kaupapa Māori approach focused on supporting tamariki and whānau where there is a risk of tamariki entering state care.

The mahi is intensive and relationship-based, requiring Mātanga Tamariki to work closely with tamariki, whānau and partner agencies to strengthen safety, stability and whānau capability.

Te Waka Tamariki

Te Waka Tamariki works alongside at-risk tamariki and their whānau to create safer lives and improve wellbeing.

The team works collaboratively across agencies, NGOs and communities to coordinate support around the needs of each tamaiti, ensuring their voice remains central to planning and decision-making.

What you’ll be doing

As a Mātanga Tamariki, you’ll build trusted relationships with tamariki and whānau, understand what is happening for them, identify strengths and risks, and work alongside them towards meaningful and sustainable outcomes.

Your mahi will include:

• Working directly with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau experiencing complex circumstances.
• Completing holistic assessments and developing tamariki-centred plans.
• Providing intensive and sustained support based on the needs of each tamaiti and whānau.
• Identifying and responding appropriately to safety, wellbeing and risk concerns.
• Advocating for tamariki and whānau across complex systems.
• Coordinating with statutory agencies, health, education, iwi, Māori providers, NGOs and specialist services.
• Ensuring tamariki and rangatahi have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting them.
• Maintaining accurate and timely case documentation.
• Working within culturally grounded, strengths-based and trauma-informed practice.

About you

We’re looking for people who bring both heart and capability to this mahi.

You’ll be comfortable working with complexity, able to remain calm when circumstances change, and confident to have courageous conversations while building relationships with tamariki and whānau while maintaining strong professional boundaries.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Experience working with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.
• Experience within social services, community services or another relevant sector.
• Confidence supporting whānau experiencing complex or high levels of need.
• Strong assessment, planning, advocacy and case-management skills.
• An understanding of risk assessment, safety planning and trauma-informed practice.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Confidence working collaboratively across agencies and services.
• An understanding of te ao Māori and tikanga Māori, or a genuine commitment to strengthening your capability.
• A relevant qualification in social work, counselling, psychology, youth work, social services or a related field is preferred.
• A full and current New Zealand Driver Licence.

Most importantly, you’ll understand that this mahi requires consistency, courage, sound judgement and a commitment to staying alongside tamariki and whānau when things get challenging.

What we offer

• Salary starting from $70,000, dependent on relevant qualifications, skills and experience.
• Pay parity.
• Health insurance after six months.
• Free te reo Māori courses.
• Professional and cultural supervision.
• Ongoing training and development.
• Career progression opportunities.
• A supportive team environment.
• Meaningful mahi where you can contribute directly to better outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.

About us

Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora is committed to strengthening the safety, wellbeing and outcomes of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau through culturally grounded, relationship-based practice.

Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust (KFST) is the governing organisation, with services delivered under Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora (TTTO).

If you have the experience, resilience and passion to work alongside tamariki and whānau through complex circumstances, we want to hear from you.

Apply now and bring your experience to mahi that matters.