Takawaenga - Rural North

• Manaaki Centre, Thames covering the Hauraki/Coromandel rohe
• 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.

Teenaa Koutou Katoa

He mihi nunui ki a koutou katoa, ngaa whaanau whaanui o te hapori o Hauraki.

He turanga hou teenei. He turanga hei awhina, hei tautoko I ngaa Tangata whaiora me a raatou whaanau I te haapori o Hauraki.

Noo reira, nau mai haere mai ki te tutaki I a maatou o te Roopuu Manaaki centre.

Mauria mai ou koutou whaakaro me ngaa pukenga hei haapai I te iwi.

About the Role

We have a Takawaenga position for the Rural North Mental Health and Addictions team, based in Thames at the Manaaki Centre. The Takawaenga role includes:

• Advocacy for Tangata Whaiora Maaori and whaanau accessing this service particularly advocacy to the clinical team.
• Facilitation of hui internal and external utilising Tikanga Maaori processes.
• A communicator of information to tautoko the taangata whaiora maaori and the
• Educator to the team of Tikanga Best Practice’, maaori cultural training and guidance to tautoko the team.
• Have good relationships and connections to the local community particularly Maaori providers and Iwi.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team/Service

Te Whatu Ora, Waikato Mental Health and Addictions services align to the Waiora – Maaori led service model underpinned by Ngaa uara or values Kotahitanga, Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, Aahurutanga and Mana Motuhake. These values of unity, working together in collaboration as one for the people we serve and empowering them when they access the service is the goal.

The Rural North Sector provides a range of secondary care mental health services across the Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki region. Our base is at the Manaaki Centre in Thames with outreach clinics located in Paeroa, Whitianga, Coromandel and Whangamata. We enjoy close relationships with our local NGO and PHO partners. We are a busy service looking to recruit a dedicated and skilled registered nurse to meet the ever-growing demand for effective mental health care. In addition to working with a group of friendly and welcoming staff, you would be living and working in the beautiful surrounds of the Hauraki. You can enjoy a slower pace of life surrounded by the mountains, the bush and the sea - while still having three major cities within easy reach.

The Takawaenga is part of a multi-disciplinary team (clinical and non-clinical roles) that fosters a culture of mutual respect, safe practice and acknowledges contributions from both cultural and clinical perspectives. 

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

• Active Te Reo Maaori, Tikanga and Kawa o Waikato –Tainui skills.
• Strong advocacy and facilitation skills utilising Tikanga Maaori.
• Ability to interpret and advocate for Tangata whaiora maaori and whaanau and to communicate to the wider clinical team.
• Willingness to role model ‘Tikanga Best Practice’.
• Able to provide education to clinicians on Te Ao Maaori and best practise for Maaori.
• Whaanau centred, collaborative and partnership approach.
• Active relationships with the Hauraki community including Maaori providers and Iwi.

• Experience working in a mental health, community health or primary care setting.
• Experience working with Maaori and Pasifika groups.
• Ability to take a proactive role with other organisations to achieve sustainable outcomes for tāngata whaiora.

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 7 April 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Ursula Carstens at Ursula.Carstens@tewhatuora.govt.nz