Hospital Play Specialist

• Located in Tauranga, a vibrant coastal city offering lifestyle balance and natural surroundings
• Part-time position – 0.56 FTE working Monday to Friday
• Support tamariki and rangatahi through therapeutic play, learning, and wellbeing during their hospital journey

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

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of infants, children, and young people by delivering therapeutic play, education, and recreation programmes that support their development and wellbeing during hospitalisation. As a Hospital Play Specialist, you will help children and their whānau navigate the challenges of healthcare experiences through play-based learning, preparation, and emotional support. A comprehensive orientation programme will be provided to support your success in the role.

About the Team/Service/Location

The Hospital Play Specialist team at Tauranga Hospital is a small, dedicated group of registered hospital play specialists and registered early childhood educators who are passionate about supporting tamariki and rangatahi during the healthcare journey. Working primarily within the Paediatric Ward, the team provides programmes that promote ongoing learning, development, coping, and resilience while helping to reduce the stress and anxiety associated with illness, treatment, and hospitalisation. The service values collaboration, creativity, and child centred care, creating a supportive environment for both patients and staff.

Click here to learn more about the Bay of Plenty

About You

You will be a warm, adaptable, and enthusiastic professional who enjoys building connections with children, young people, and whānau. You thrive in dynamic environments, respond positively to change, and bring creativity and compassion to your practice. You understand the importance of developmentally appropriate support and are committed to creating positive experiences that help children feel safe, engaged, and empowered throughout their hospital stay.

What you will bring:

• Diploma/ Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education/Primary) or equivalent qualification
• Current New Zealand teacher registration
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills with children, young people, whānau, and healthcare teams
• Ability to quickly establish rapport and provide developmentally appropriate support
• Positive attitude, initiative, and ability to manage competing priorities
• Experience working with children and young people across a range of ages and developmental stages
• Ability to work effectively with families from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Commitment to child centred, culturally responsive, and inclusive practice

To view the Position Description please click here

Working for 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 Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply for the role please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on 8 July 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact bp-Careers@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Please note, we will be reviewing applications when received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.