Activities Facilitator

• Forensic in-patient wards, Waikato Hospital
• Permanent, Full time – 40 hours per week. Mon-Fri
• A range of training and educational opportunities
• A service where you feel valued and respected for what you bring to the team

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

We have a great opportunity for someone who is enthusiastic and has the ability to motivate and support our Tangata Whaiora to engage in activities on the ward and, at times in the community.

Maaori are significantly over represented across our service and you will need to have an understanding of inequity for Maaori. Being able to work with Maaori across all levels is essential to this role, so together we can achieve better outcomes for Maaori.

About the Role

The role is in our Medium Secure forensic ward and supports some of our most vulnerable and unwell taangata whaiora, who can often present with significant risk and complex presentations. Taangata whaiora come to this ward either via the criminal justice system or Te Ara Poutama (Corrections).

We a looking for an Activities Facilitator ( AF) who will work closely with the Occupational Therapist ( OT) to provide ward based activities and group work. This is a varied role which may also include working individually with tangata whaiora and supporting them to integrate into the community.

Key responsibilities:

• The AF supports the OT to provide opportunities to Tangata Whaiora in the graded development of new or existing life skills and vocational skills
•  The AF supports the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery of therapeutic rehabilitation groups as part of the therapeutic rehabilitation programme.
• The AF will actively contribute, with direction from the OT / other registered health professional, in risk management of activities.
• The AF will encourage service users/Tangata Whaiora, with follow through of identified MDT treatment plans.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Service

Mental Health and Addictions Services at Waikato delivers a full range of specialty services across the district. We are committed to making a difference with tāngata whai ora and their whānau through working in partnership to create kotahitanga.

We believe in delivering services with a strong recovery focus and a sensitivity to cultural aspects of mental health through applying the Treaty of Waitangi principles into practice

What does Te Whatu Ora, Waikato offer you?

Located in the heart of the mighty Waikato, Te Whatu Ora, Waikato operates over a number of sites, Hamilton City our main campus and smaller community-based hospitals across our region. Hamilton City has easy access to beaches and mountains, so if your interests range from a host of water sports, mountain biking to vineyard lunches, the area has something for you right on your doorstep. To discover more about our stunning area, please click here.

• As part of our Te Whatu Ora Waikato family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
• We offer flexible and agile working opportunities alongside our Te Whatu Ora Waikato benefits and staff discount schemes.
• We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

About you

Skills and experience you’ll need to be considered for the role:

• you will have experience working in a health care setting
• you will be able to work 5 days a week
• you will demonstrate a passion for making a difference to the lives of our tangata whaiora and whanau
• you will have motivation and drive
• you will have the ability to demonstrate a high level of interpersonal and communication skills
• you will have a full NZ driver’s license

Tō mātou whakahaere ki te tika, te rerekētanga, me te whai wāhi mai | Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We want to see the real you in your application and welcome the real you on board if you come and work with us. Skills are gained across many areas of life, not just in formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the ad, but the experience was gained through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.

We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply please click “Apply online” or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal before 11:59 pm on 11 February 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Shastika.Goundar@waikatodhb.health.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.