Diversional Therapist

About us

Tainui Village is a Christian Charitable Trust in Westown, New Plymouth, where heart, purpose, and community come together. We're passionate about creating a warm, supportive home for older adults - a place filled with connection, dignity, and genuine care. Our mission is simple: to go above and beyond for our residents, their families, whanau, and carers.

Respect, individuality, cultural safety, and the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi guide everything we do. When you join Tainui Village, you become part of a team that values kindness, teamwork, creativity, and continuous improvement.

About the role

This is your chance to step into a leadership role that’s full of energy, creativity, and purpose. As our Lead Diversional Therapist, you’ll guide and inspire a small team of two DT staff, helping them deliver an activities programme that truly lights up residents’ days.

You’ll design and coordinate experiences that support physical, emotional, social, cognitive, cultural, and spiritual wellbeing. Think: fun outings, meaningful routines, celebrations, learning opportunities, friendships, and moments that make residents feel seen, valued, and connected.

You’ll collaborate with residents, families, whānau, clinical staff, carers, volunteers, and community groups — bringing people together and building a vibrant, inclusive lifestyle programme. You’ll complete assessments, contribute to personalised care plans, evaluate outcomes, and keep documentation tidy and accurate.

Most importantly, you’ll champion safe, respectful, culturally responsive practice and help create an environment where residents feel confident, supported, and at home.

About you

• You are a qualified Diversional Therapist, you hold an equivalent relevant qualification, or are, or will be happy to study towards this qualification.
• Enthusiastic and ready to grow — you bring positivity, energy, and a genuine love for people
• Prefered to have at least 2 years' experience in aged care, dementia care, health, disability, or community support.
• You are a natural encourager who enjoys leading a small team with patience, kindness, and clarity
• You are creative, organised, practical, and able to bring fresh ideas to life
• You build trusting relationships with residents, families, whānau, and colleagues
• You value respect, dignity, choice, cultural safety, and person-centred care
• You are confident with documentation and comfortable using basic computer systems
• A full New Zealand driver licence is preferred, particularly to support resident outings

Benefits

• A meaningful leadership role where your work helps residents feel connected, valued, and at home
• A supportive, family-like environment with strong community connections
• Beautiful grounds, shared spaces, and facilities that support a varied activities programme
• A values-led workplace grounded in care, respect, dignity, quality, and continuous improvement
• The opportunity to bring creativity and warmth into the daily lives of older people