Takawaenga - Puawai - Midland Regional Psychiatric Forensic Service

• Waikato Hospital
• Permanent – 80 hours per fortnight
• Bring your expertise in tikanga Māori and cultural leadership to support tangata whaiora within a specialist forensic mental health service
• Join a dedicated multidisciplinary team committed to improving Māori health outcomes through culturally safe, whaanau-centred care

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

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Takawaenga to join Puawai Midland Regional Forensic Psychiatric Service. As a Takawaenga, you will be an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, providing Maaori cultural expertise that strengthens cultural safety, responsiveness, and the application of tikanga Maaori across all aspects of inpatient forensic care

Working directly within the forensic ward environment, you will partner with the Charge Nurse Manager, Senior Cultural Advisors, Cultural Clinical Specialist, and wider multidisciplinary team to ensure cultural perspectives inform assessment, planning, risk management, treatment, transition planning, and whaanau engagement. Attendance at daily handovers and active participation in multidisciplinary discussions are essential components of this role.

Grounded in the Waiora model of care, you will support tangata whaiora and their whaanau through culturally relevant interventions while helping clinical teams strengthen their cultural capability and understanding of Māori-led approaches to wellbeing

Key responsibilities:

• Deliver tikanga-based cultural interventions, including karakia, koorero, whanaungatanga and mahi aa-wairua.
• Complete and document cultural assessments that contribute to multidisciplinary care planning.
• Support meaningful whaanau participation and engagement throughout the care journey.
• Participate actively in ward handovers, MDT reviews, and care planning discussions.
• Coach and support kaimahi to strengthen cultural capability and embed Waiora – Ngaa Uara into everyday practice.
• Contribute to initiatives that improve Maaori health equity and service development outcomes.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team/Service

• Puawai is the Midland Regional Forensic Psychiatric Service, providing specialist inpatient and community forensic mental health services across the Midland region. The service is committed to delivering high-quality, recovery-focused care that supports the wellbeing of tangata whaiora while maintaining a strong focus on cultural responsiveness and equity. Takawaenga are embedded members of the Puawai team and play a critical role in ensuring tikanga Māori and whaanau-centred approaches are integrated into everyday practice.
• The Takawaenga service within Puawai operates Monday to Friday, with attendance at the 7.00am ward handover forming an important part of the role.

About Hamilton

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here

About you

As a Takawaenga, you will bring strong cultural knowledge, excellent relationship-building skills, and a passion for improving outcomes for Maaori.

You will have:

• Proficiency in Te Reo Māori me ngaa Tikanga o Waikato.
• A tertiary qualification in Māori Studies, a health-related qualification, and/or equivalent experience within Kaupapa Māori systems.
• Demonstrated experience applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in practice.
• A current full driver's licence.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and collaboration skills.
• Experience working with whanau, hapuu, iwi, Māori providers, or within mental health services would be advantageous

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 31 July 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.