Social Worker - Mental Health and Addictions Service

• Permanent, full-time role based in Tumanako Inpatient Mental Health Unit, Whangārei
• Make a meaningful difference supporting tāngata whai ora and whānau through their mental health journey
• Join a supportive multidisciplinary team where your social work expertise will be valued

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

As a Social Worker, you will provide specialist psychosocial assessment and planned social work interventions for tāngata whai ora within the Mental Health Inpatient and Sub-Acute Units. Working as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, you will help deliver high-quality, culturally responsive care that supports positive outcomes for individuals and their whānau.

This varied role will see you working with people with complex needs, coordinating whānau and interagency meetings, providing advocacy, contributing to multidisciplinary care and discharge planning, and ensuring the perspectives of tāngata whai ora and their whānau are represented throughout their care. You will build strong relationships with community organisations, iwi groups and government agencies to support well-coordinated care and successful transitions back into the community.

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About the Team/Service/Location

You will be part of the Mental Health and Addiction Services multidisciplinary team, working within the Tūmanako Inpatient Unit in Whangārei. You will work alongside nursing, allied health and other clinical professionals who collaborate to provide responsive, culturally safe and person- and whānau-centred mental health care.

Tumanako is a 29-bed purpose-built inpatient mental health unit that provides care and support for adults aged 18 years and over from across Te Tai Tokerau. Our multidisciplinary team works closely together to create a supportive, recovery-focused environment that promotes the wellbeing, independence and recovery of our tāngata whaiora. We are committed to delivering high-quality, recovery-oriented care that promotes wellbeing, dignity, and positive outcomes for our service users.

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About you

You will be a compassionate and skilled Social Worker who can work both autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment. You will bring:

• A recognised qualification in Social Work and full or provisional registration with the Social Workers Registration Board
• Experience working with individuals and whānau with diverse and complex needs, including strong psychosocial assessment and counselling skills
• Experience working effectively within a multidisciplinary team, with recent mental health experience being an advantage
• Strong communication skills and an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within a health setting
• 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 now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by 25 November 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Michelle Apetera at NL-Jobs@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

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