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Team Lead – Residential Youth Service

Iti Māpihi Pounamu • Karapiro, Waikato Region, New Zealand • Full-time
AI Job Summary
  • Experience leading and developing a team of kaimahi and pou manaaki, preferably in social services.
  • Experience managing staff rosters to support wellbeing and work-life balance.
  • Robust experience in mental health and crisis response with calm, confident decision-making.

Role Type

On-site • Temporary • Full-time • Mid-level Senior

Pay Rate

$80,000 NZD – $90,000 NZD (Annum)

Description

About the Organisation

Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa is a kaupapa Māori organisation grounded in a whānau-first, tikanga-based wellbeing approach. Our mahi is guided by our six pou: whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, arohatanga, rangatiratanga, tika and pono. We deliver health and social services across the lifespan and employ over 100 kaimahi working across Kirikiriroa and beyond.

Iti Māpihi Pounamu is a residential youth home providing support to the kōtiro in our service. Our mahi is grounded in supporting each taiohi on their pathway to wellbeing, through strengths-based, tikanga-led practice.

About the Role – Fixed Term

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Team Lead to oversee and lead the day-to-day operations of a collaborative 24/7 shift-based team, ensuring safe, high-quality, recovery-focused care. The Team Lead will hold the balance between accountability and mana-enhancing leadership, uplifting staff while ensuring excellence in care.

This is a full-time role, working Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5.00pm.

The role is fixed-term to reflect the duration of the contract which is set to end in December 2028.

Key Responsibilities

  • Leading and developing a team of kaimahi and pou manaaki.
  • Managing staff rosters, ensuring wellbeing and work-life balance of the team.
  • Overseeing individualised care planning in partnership with the rangatahi and whānau.
  • Ensuring operational integrity, documentation, and compliance with organisational standards.
  • Coordinating effectively with clinical services and external stakeholders.
  • Lead crisis response with calm, confident decision-making
  • Embedding strengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally grounded practice.

You Will bring

  • Effective, mana-enhancing leadership for the residential support workers and residents.
  • Leadership capability, able to steady, grow, and inspire a team.
  • Experience leading teams, preferably in the social services industry
  • Robust experience in mental health and crisis response.
  • Understanding of tikanga Māori and commitment to Te Tiriti.
  • A genuine commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and bringing this to life in day-to-day practice.
  • Able to build meaningful relationships with whanaunga and whānau, particularly within Māori and Pacific communities.

What We Offer

  • Work in a kaupapa Māori organisation rooted in community service and cultural integrity
  • Ongoing professional development
  • External supervision
  • Medical insurance

If you believe you can lead our residential youth service in a way that restores mana and strengthens hauora, we would love to hear from you.

Applications close 11 June 2026 (may close earlier).