Mātanga Tapuhi (Nurse)

Mātanga Tapuhi (Nurse) - He Whare Kaumātua

He ngākau aroha. He ringa raupā. He tangata mō te tangata.

A caring heart. Ready hands. Someone who is all about people.

Know your dementia from your delirium? Your polypharmacy from the impacts of addiction? And understand that great clinical care can start with a cuppa, a kōrero and whakawhanaungatanga? Ka pai – you might be our person.

Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa is looking for an experienced clinician who knows caring for kaumātua is about far more than observations, medications and care plans.

This is a 12-months fixed-term role, working Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5.00pm. Some flexibility may be required depending on the needs of whanaunga.

About the Service

He Whare Kaumātua is a new initiative that aims to reduce kaumātua homelessness and rough sleeping in Kirikiriroa. You will be part of a small dedicated project team that will provide culturally responsive wellbeing support, housing navigation, social interventions, and street outreach, supporting vulnerable whānau to access safe, secure, and sustainable housing.

Whānau First. Tikanga Based. Wellbeing Approach.

Whānau at the heart, tikanga guiding the way, and wellbeing that sees the whole person, not just the diagnosis.

Whanaungatanga – build genuine relationships and trust.

Manaakitanga – care in a way that protects and enhances mana.

Arohatanga – bring compassion, empathy and genuine care to the mahi.

Rangatiratanga – uphold the voice, choice and aspirations of whānau.

Tika – do what is right and speak up when something needs to change.

Pono – practise with honesty, integrity and courage.

If these are values you already carry in your kete, nau mai, you could be just who we’re looking for.

He aha te mahi? | What’s the mahi?

You’ll walk alongside kaumātua with complex and changing health need who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This isn’t always clinic-based mahi. Sometimes you’ll need to take your clinical kete to the person, heading into the community and supporting kaumātua where they feel comfortable.

Your mahi will include:

• Comprehensive health and wellbeing assessment of kaumātua.
• Assessment and management of frailty, dementia and delirium.
• Supporting safe medication use, including polypharmacy and medication-related risks.
• Supporting kaumātua with chronic and complex health conditions.
• Recognising and responding appropriately to changes in health and clinical deterioration.
• Responding to mental health, addiction and wellbeing concerns.
• Supporting advance care planning and coordinating palliative or end-of-life care where required.
• Care coordination, referrals and advocacy across health, housing and community services.
• Outreach and engagement with kaumātua who may be reluctant or unable to engage with traditional health services.
• Contributing to quality improvement and service development.

Most importantly, you’ll see the whole person, not just the diagnosis – and work alongside kaumātua and whānau around what matters to them.

Ko wai koe? | Who are you?

• You’re clinically credible, calm when things get complicated and comfortable working autonomously and alongside others.
• You understand ako – knowledge goes both ways – and know when it’s time to whakarongo.
• You bring ngākau māhaki – humility and openness to learning.
• You don’t have to be the loudest clinical voice in the room. But when you speak, people should know you’ve listened first.

Our non-negotiables

We are particularly interested in people who bring:

• Current New Zealand professional registration and Annual Practising Certificate (APC) in a relevant health profession. A Registered Nurse with a current APC is preferred.
• Experience working with older people and/or people experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping, mental health or addiction challenges.
• Strong assessment, clinical reasoning and risk management skills.
• Experience coordinating care and working across health, housing and community services.
• The ability to work confidently in community and outreach settings, including with people who may not engage easily with traditional services.
• An understanding of Māori models of hauora, culturally safe practice and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.
• An understanding of Pasifika models of health and culturally responsive practice.
• Strong communication, advocacy and relationship-building skills.
• A full New Zealand driver's licence.
• The ability to meet all required safety and vetting requirements for working with a vulnerable population.
• The right to work in New Zealand.

A postgraduate qualification relevant to older persons’ health, gerontology, community health or a related field would be advantageous.

We know great clinicians come from different professional backgrounds. If you have the clinical capability, experience and heart for this mahi but don’t meet every item on the list, we still want to hear from you.

He aha kei roto māu? | What’s in it for you?

Meaningful mahi in a kaupapa Māori organisation where tikanga is part of who we are.

You’ll join a team of more than 100 kaimahi delivering health and social services across Kirikiriroa and beyond, with the opportunity to use some serious clinical skills while building genuine relationships with kaumātua and whānau. You’ll also receive monthly external supervision and medical insurance.

Kua rite koe? | Does this sound like a bit of you?

If you’ve got the clinical kete, ngākau aroha and willingness to walk alongside kaumātua rather than in front of them, we’d really like to meet you.

Mauria mai ō pūkenga. Mauria mai ō whakaaro. Mauria mai tō ngākau.

Bring your skills. Bring your ideas. Bring your heart.

Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa.

Applications close on Sunday 27 September 2026. We may review applications as they are received.