Community Mental Health Nurse - Mental Health Service for Older People - Thames

• Thames
• Permanent – 64 hours per fortnight
• Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of older adults?

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.

About the Role

Are you an experienced mental health nurse seeking a role where you can develop professionally and work in the community?

If so, then this is an exciting opportunity to join our cohesive, dedicated and supportive multidisciplinary Older Persons Mental Health Team, based in Thames, Waikato.

We provide assessment, treatment and rehabilitation interventions for older adults experiencing functional mental ill health and/or behavioural and psychological symptoms secondary to degenerative neurocognitive conditions, primarily dementia.

We are looking for someone with outstanding mental health nursing skills. You will manage acute and chronic presentations in older adults and be a key point of contact for whanau and informal support systems. You will be joining a team of experienced clinicians who will support you professionally who are passionate about enhancing possibilities and opportunities for ageing well in later life.

This is a community role where you will be seeing people in their own homes or in residential care and in clinic.

You will bring experience and understanding of the following:

• Establishing partnership as the basis for therapeutic relationship.
• Models of Mental Health Nursing practise.
• Provision of high quality nursing and psycho-social interventions through specialist assessment, treatment planning and review with a rehabilitative recovery focus for the client and whanau.
• Coordination of intensive intervention and case management for clients in crisis when appropriate.
• Comprehensive specialist mental health assessments.
• Case management and coordination of care for clients and their whanau.
• Liaison with other health providers, mental health teams, geriatric medicine, NGO’s, PHO’s, social and government agencies to facilitate care and treatments for clients.
• Participation and contribution to service planning and quality projects.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team/Service

You will join one other experienced mental health nurse in the team and work alongside the rest of the MDT which consists of Psychiatrists with a specialty in older age, Occupational Therapists, Social Worker, Clinical Psychologist, Nurses and a Clinical Nurse Specialist. The service is predominately based in the community, visiting clients at home or in aged care facilities. The mental health nurse will work both individually and alongside their team colleagues with service users and the family/whanau. The team works in an integrated model of care which provides a seamless transition through inpatient (OPR1) and community.

About Thames

Located in the heart of The Coromandel, Thames is a charming town steeped in history and surrounded by stunning natural beauty. The area offers a mix of colonial architecture, a vibrant arts scene, and a rich cultural heritage, including Māori history and the town's gold mining past. Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless opportunities to explore the Coromandel Ranges and Kauaeranga Valley with hiking and camping right on your doorstep. Thames also marks the beginning of the Hauraki Rail Trail, perfect for cycling through the region’s scenic landscapes. With an abundance of cafés, boutique shops, and local attractions, Thames provides a perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, and community. It's an ideal place to build your career while enjoying the serene beauty and lifestyle of the Coromandel.

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here

About you

You will be an experienced Mental Health Nurse with at least 5 years of recent work experience, preferably in the area of older adult specialty. You will be skilled in mental state assessment/formulation, management of psychiatric illness, oversight of medication and assessment and management of risk.

The successful applicant will have the following:

• New Zealand Nursing registration with an annual practicing certificate.
• Outstanding relationship management and networking skills.
• A can-do attitude and experienced in managing complex psychosocial presentations.
• A great team player but able to confidently work with a high degree of autonomy.
• Motivation to engage in mentoring and professional development in working in this area of specialty of older adult mental health.
• Be an expert level Nurse, or working towards this.
• Hold a current full New Zealand driver’s licence.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We 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 30 June 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Robyn Payne at Robyn.Payne@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

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