Registered Social Worker

• Live and work in a place where others like to holiday, Tauranga offers golden beaches, trendy cafes, and a laid-back coastal lifestyle
• Full-time position - 1.0 FTE working Monday to Friday
• Ideal for experienced social workers seeking flexible hours in a dynamic hospital setting

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

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Registered Social Worker who is passionate about health social work or wishes to extend your current social work skills. 

This role will be 40 hours per week based within the Tauranga Hospital Allied Health Inpatient Health Social Work Team covering Hospital Wards.

With no two days being the same, you will have an opportunity to work with people of diverse cultures and ages to undertake biopsychosocial, risk and safety assessments and plan interventions. Utilising your crisis intervention skills, you will provide therapeutic support for the patient and whānau and facilitate connections with Health New Zealand services and external Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO's).

About the Team/Service/Location

Working at Tauranga Hospital, you will be part of a dynamic Inpatient Social Work team supporting provision of Allied Health services within our hospital. The service plays a key role in supporting patient care across hospital wards, and the team works alongside medical, nursing, and allied health colleagues to ensure holistic support for patients and whānau. You will join a collaborative, supportive service committed to trauma-informed care, equitable outcomes, and strong community connections. Tauranga offers the professional challenge of a busy hospital alongside the lifestyle benefits of a coastal region known for its stunning beaches, outdoor activities, and strong sense of community.

Click here to learn more about the Bay of Plenty

About You

You will be a compassionate and adaptable Registered Social Worker who brings strong interpersonal skills and the ability to remain calm in fast-paced environments. You value teamwork, communicate effectively with diverse groups, and demonstrate sound professional judgement. You take a reflective approach to practice and are committed to supportive positive outcomes for patients and whānau.

What you will bring:

• New Zealand recognised Social Work qualification with SWRB registration
• At least two years of postgraduate social work experience in New Zealand
• Experience working with family harm, addiction, or mental health services
• Strong communication, assessment, and conflict management skills
• Ability to produce clear, timely, and accurate documentation
• Knowledge of local community support services and referral pathways 

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 career's portal before 11:59pm on 11 November 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.