About Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa Trust
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.
We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated live-in House Parent to become an integral part of our Youth Wellbeing Whare, providing a safe environment for taiohi.
About the Service and the Role
Our Youth Wellbeing Whare is located on a 40 acre farm in Karapiro, providing taiohi with the natural resources of a rural environment and intensive support as they navigate their life’s journey.
This is more than a job; it is an opportunity to create a home. As a Live-in House Parent, you will live onsite in your own private, self-contained living space, separate from the taiohi space, while providing consistency, stability and a caring adult presence within the home.
Working alongside our Youth Mentors and wider team, you will help create a warm, welcoming environment where taiohi experience positive routines, nutritious home-cooked meals, meaningful relationships and opportunities to develop life skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day running of the whare, ensuring it remains clean, organised and well maintained.
- Create a warm, safe and welcoming home environment for taiohi.
- Be a positive role model, demonstrating respect, healthy boundaries and manaakitanga in everyday interactions.
- Plan weekly menus and prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals.
- Support taiohi to develop practical life skills such as cooking, cleaning and caring for shared spaces.
- Coordinate household supplies, grocery shopping and meal planning.
- Monitor and report maintenance needs for the home and grounds.
- Assist with the care of the outdoor areas.
- Support shift work when and if needed.
About You
We’re looking for someone who genuinely enjoys caring for others and takes pride in creating a welcoming home.
You’ll bring:
- A compassionate, trustworthy and warm nature.
- Strong personal and professional boundaries.
- Maturity, resilience and sound judgement.
- Experience supporting young people, families or vulnerable communities.
- The ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- A strengths-based and trauma-informed approach.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills.
- Confidence managing a busy household and balancing competing priorities.
- Flexibility to assist outside normal duties when required.
Desirable Experience
- We encourage applications from people with experience in:
- Residential care, Youth work, Social Work, Teaching. Nursing, Community support, Whānau support, Hospitality or household management within care settings, Farming
- New Zealand Certificate in Youth Work (Level 4), or willingness to complete this certificate
- As Iti Māpihi Pounamu supports young wāhine within a kaupapa Māori environment, we will prioritise suitably qualified wāhine applicants
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.
- On-site accommodation provided,
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Applications will be considered until 23/08/2026.
We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.
