Te Pou Oranga Whaiora | Part-time

Te āheinga – The opportunity:

Working within Te Pou Oranga Whaiora (POU) across both community services and Te Whare Ora o Kōpūārau, our pre‑ and post‑methamphetamine residential facility, the Kaupapa Māori Cultural Lead provides cultural leadership across the service.

This role sits within an iwi‑led service delivered by Te Pou Oranga o Te Whakatōhea, in collaboration with the Eastern Bay Iwi Provider Alliance including Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau, Tūhoe Hauora, and Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa. Together we provide kaupapa Māori‑based healing and support for whānau impacted by methamphetamine harm.

This role safeguards tikanga, kawa and kaupapa Māori practice, ensuring cultural safety for whaiora, whānau, kaimahi and visitors. You will lead cultural elements of our model of care, strengthen iwi and community partnerships, support restorative practice, and build the cultural capability of the team.

Ngā Kawenga me ngā Mahi – Duties & responsibilities:

• Provide cultural leadership in tikanga, kawa, Te Reo Māori and kaupapa Māori practice.

• Embed the Ki te whai ao ki te ao Mārama model of care across routines, care planning and programmes.

• Maintain cultural protocols, guides, induction content and resources.

• Facilitate cultural ceremonies and events (pōwhiri/mihi whakatau, poroporoaki, whakawātea, hui, wānanga).

• Deliver cultural wellbeing wānanga supporting whakapapa, pepeha, reo Māori, identity and cultural plans.

• Provide cultural supervision, mentoring and capability building.

• Support restorative processes, conflict resolution and cultural responses to critical incidents.

• Participate in MDTs, case reviews and discharge planning.

• Maintain strong relationships with whānau, hapū, iwi, marae and community partners.

• Contribute to quality improvement, audit readiness and cultural reporting.

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Ngā wheako me ngā pūkenga – Experience & skills required:

• Qualification or recognised study in Te Reo, Tikanga Māori, Mātauranga Māori or related field (Level 4–6+).

• Fluent in Te Reo Māori (spoken and written).

• Excellent knowledge of Whakatōhea, Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe and Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau tikanga and kawa.

• Cultural leadership experience in kaupapa Māori, health or wellbeing settings.

• Strong understanding of kaupapa Māori models of care.

• Wānanga or adult learning facilitation experience (advantage).

• AOD, residential or mental health experience (desirable).

• Skilled in coaching, guidance and kaupapa Māori‑aligned mediation.

• Full and clean driver licence and First Aid Certificate (or willingness to obtain).

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If your skills and experience match this role, please APPLY NOW! Submit your expression of interest to peopleandculture@whakatohea.co.nz requesting the job description.

Applications Close Friday 13th March 2026

Check us out at: https://www.whakatohea.co.nz

 Due to the substantial number of applications, we will only contact shortlisted candidates.