Youth Support Worker

About the Role

Kaimahi / Youth Support Worker

Be a steady influence. Help rangatahi thrive.

Hapū Ora is looking for calm, dependable and resilient people to provide 24-hour wraparound support to tamariki and rangatahi in a home-like environment.

This is an active, hands-on role for people who lead by example, communicate clearly and remain steady when situations become challenging. You may come from youth work, caregiving, coaching, sport, trades, education, security or community work. What matters most is your character, reliability and willingness to learn.

About the role

You will support rangatahi with daily routines, education, appointments, emotions, whānau relationships and personal goals. You will model respectful behaviour, healthy boundaries, practical life skills and positive decision-making.

The role requires kia tau te rangimārie—calmness under pressure—along with patience, resilience and sound judgement.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing consistent, mana-enhancing care and supervision.
• Building positive relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Supporting meals, education, appointments and daily routines.
• Participating in sport, recreation and community activities.
• Supporting emotional regulation and responding safely to challenging situations.
• Working within tikanga Māori and a kaupapa Māori framework.
• Completing shift notes, incident reports and other documentation.
• Working alongside whānau, colleagues and external professionals.
• Contributing to cooking, cleaning, laundry and the general running of the whare.
• Following medication, health and safety, risk-management and emergency procedures.

What we are looking for

You will be someone who:

• Is grounded, reliable and able to lead by example.
• Connects well with young people.
• Remains calm and makes sound decisions under pressure.
• Enjoys being active and involved.
• Works well in a team and communicates clearly.
• Is open to feedback, training and professional development.
• Can complete professional written records.
• Can work extended shifts, including nights, weekends and public holidays.
• Is willing to strengthen their knowledge of tikanga Māori.

You must have:

• A full, clean New Zealand driver licence.
• The legal right to work in New Zealand, with at least 12 months remaining on your visa where applicable.
• The ability to pass Police Vetting and CYRAS safety checks.
• The physical capacity to perform the active duties of the role.

Experience is valuable but not essential. If you have coached, mentored, led a team or supported people through challenging situations, we encourage you to apply.

What we offer

• A supportive, whānau-centred kaupapa Māori workplace.
• Training, professional supervision and ongoing development.
• Support to complete First Aid and the NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3).
• Opportunities to progress into senior and leadership roles.
• Meaningful work where your consistency can make a lasting difference.

Hours and locations

• Casual roles with the potential to become permanent.
• Rotating 24-hour shifts, including sleepover periods, weekends and public holidays.
• Typical roster blocks of four to seven days.
• Positions available across Gore, Oamaru, Timaru and Christchurch.

If you are ready to lead by example and become a steady, positive presence in the life of a rangatahi, we would like to hear from you.