Community Mental Health Nurse - Rural North

• Manaaki Centre, Thames Hospital
• Permanent – 80 hours per fortnight

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

Rural North Mental Health & Addictions Service is looking for Registered Nurses to join our friendly, skilled and highly supportive adult community mental health team. 

As a Community Mental Health Nurse you will be based in Thames, working across the Hauraki, Thames and Coromandel communities, playing a key role supporting tāngata whaiora to maintain their health and wellbeing.

As a member of the multi-disciplinary team you will be working alongside tangata whaiora and whanau in the community to support mental health wellbeing and recovery. You will conduct comprehensive mental health assessments and develop collaborative recovery plans utilising your skills and knowledge to support your work with tangata whaiora and their whaanau. A typical day will see you out visiting tangata whaiora in their own homes and communities to deliver high quality mental health and addictions support. You will build and nurture strong relationships with health, iwi and social service agencies who contribute to the wellbeing of our communities.

You will be well oriented into the role with ongoing practice and professional development opportunities.

Ideally, we are looking for registered nurses with mental health experience but we are committed to growing and developing nurses who may be in earlier stages of their nursing career who have an aspiration to work in mental health.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team/Service

We are a multi-disciplinary team comprising of nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, support workers and takawaenga who are supported by our administration team.

We provide specialist services for adults (18-65) who are experiencing serious mental health challenges, including acute presentations. We are located, alongside Thames Hospital, in the Manaaki Centre which is also the base for the AOD, ICAMHS and MHSOP services. We have bases in Paeroa, Coromandel and Whitianga, and provide outreach clinics in other areas. As a community-based service, we are open Monday to Friday during office hours. 

About Thames

Thames Hospital is a modern 50-bed secondary care facility offering a comprehensive range of services, including an emergency department, inpatient care, day surgery, an infusion unit, rehabilitation services, birthing unit and low-acuity mental health care. Our hospital boasts 24-hour laboratory and radiology services, including advanced CT imaging. As an accredited training hub, we support 5th and 6th-year medical students from Auckland University, PGY2 House Officers, and registrars in Rural Hospital Medicine and General and Acute Care Medicine. We offer a robust quality improvement program, CME opportunities, and an RMO teaching program. Telehealth is expanding at Thames, supporting inpatient care, outpatient clinics, and emergency services like stroke thrombolysis.

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

• Competency with Te ao Māori, Tikanga, and Te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth.
• Experience in upholding Te Tiriti O Waitangi principals and frameworks, and the application of Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches, particularly as they apply in healthcare settings.
• Practice with a tangata whaiora and whaaanau centred approach and be a strong advocate for best practice.
• Current registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and practising certificate with scope to work within mental health.
• Hold a current full New Zealand driver's licence
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Bring a commitment to work collaboratively while also being able to work autonomously.
• Have well-developed time management skills with the ability to coordinate and prioritise personal and team tasks.
• The ability to coordinate care and provide therapeutic interventions.
• Experience in mental health care would be of benefit but not essential.

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 23 August 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Nicola Livingston 021 354 507 or nicola.livingston@waikatodhb.health.nz

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