- Use your skills to uplift whānau and create meaningful change.
- Thrive in a role that celebrates culture, connection, and community.
- Join a supportive, kaupapa-driven team working to strengthen Aotearoa.
Join Our Whānau!
About Us
Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka is dedicated to empowering and supporting our whānau through culturally grounded services, advocacy, and community initiatives. Guided by the core values of Manaakitanga and Rangatiratanga, our mahi aims to uplift and strengthen our people and
communities.
We proudly deliver a range of education, social, and community services to meet the needs of our whānau.
As the current guardians of Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae, a marae open to all New Zealand citizens, Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka upholds its vision as a place of unity and belonging for everyone, All nations, all people.
About the Role
As a Functional Family Therapist, you will deliver an evidence-based therapy model to tamariki and rangatahi (10–18 years) and their whānau. This is a structured, strengths-based role focused on improving behavioural, emotional, and mental health outcomes while strengthening whānau systems.
You will carry a caseload of approximately 8–10 families, working intensively with each whānau
over 8–16 weeks. Your mahi will involve assessment, treatment planning, and delivering therapeutic interventions while maintaining fidelity to the Functional Family Therapy (FFT) model.
This role requires flexibility, cultural responsiveness, and the ability to engage families who may be resistant or experiencing complex challenges. You will work closely within a clinical framework, alongside internal teams, external agencies, and FFT consultants.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver Functional Family Therapy in line with the FFT model and standards
- Manage a structured caseload and provide end-to-end therapeutic intervention
- Complete assessments and develop tailored treatment plans for whānau
- Engage caregivers and wider supports to strengthen family systems
- Maintain accurate case notes, reporting, and documentation
- Participate in clinical supervision, reflective practice, and quality assurance processes
- Build strong relationships with referral agencies (Police, Corrections, Oranga Tamariki, community providers)
- Work collaboratively across teams to support integrated service delivery
- Uphold tikanga Māori and embed Te Tiriti principles in practice
- Respond to safety concerns and risk appropriately
What You’ll Bring
- Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Counselling, Education, or similar
- Experience working with tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau in a therapeutic or support capacity
- Strong ability to engage families, including those who may be resistant
- Sound assessment and intervention planning skills
- Understanding and application of kaupapa Māori principles
- Excellent communication and documentation skills
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a clinical team
- Full driver’s licence and willingness to work in whānau homes
- Ability to pass Police Vetting and Children’s Worker Safety Checks
- Experience in evidence-based therapeutic models
- Experience working with Police, Corrections, or other agencies
What We Offer
- Training and Induction specific to the role
- A supportive and collaborative team environment
- Opportunities for professional development
- The chance to make a real difference in our communities
- A commitment to your wellbeing at work
How to Apply
Please include your CV and a cover letter in your application, outlining your suitability for the role.
Applications close 13 May 2026
Please be advised that we will be actively reviewing applications and interviewing suitable candidates as they are received, so don’t wait to apply.
For more information about this role, please contact the hiring manager Maree.Edwards@maatawaka.org.nz
To learn more about us and our mahi please visit https://www.maatawaka.org.nz/
