Social Worker | Northern Locality


  • Casual position
  • Based at Buller Health Campus, Westport
  • Hours of work will be between Monday - Friday 0800 -1630, 8 hour shifts, no weekends or after hours required

Ehara taku I toa takitahi engari, he toa takitini

My strength, is not the strength of one, it is the strength of many

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the Role

As a Social Worker you will be responsible for providing appropriate and effective psychosocial assessment, intervention, monitoring and evaluation to clients.

Whilst no day is the same typically you will be in the community alongside other physical and mental health professionals with clients of all ages. Supporting them and their whānau through their health journey. Advocating, providing emotional care and practical solutions to clients.

You will be working in a small supportive and close knit Multi Disciplinary team including other Allied Health Professionals. We have a great working relationship with District Nursing, Complex Clinical Care Network and other community services, all based in the Westport campus. We have a new modern integrated family Health Centre which allows our close-knit teams to work together in a cohesive, accessible and supportive way.

About the Location

The Northern West Coast is renowned for its beauty, wilderness and outdoor activity opportunities, the people of the Buller area are resilient, can do folk with a strong Community spirit.

We are unique and like no other in New Zealand with a close-knit community where your work will make a real difference.

We will help you grow as a leader in rural health with a continued focus on your career development.

We continue to break new ground and shape our health system to wrap care around patients in their communities.

To find out more about living and working here on the Coast visit https://westcoast.co.nz/live/cut-out-for-the-coast/

About You

You are a dedicated and professional social worker committed to providing high-quality psychosocial services. With a strong background in social work and registration with the Social Work Registration Board of NZ, you excel in delivering culturally appropriate and ethical care. Your ability to work effectively in diverse settings and to hit the ground running makes you a valuable asset to any team.

It is essential that you have;

  • Proven experience in Social work assessment, monitoring and support of patients
  • Ability to triage workloads to meet patient needs and service demands
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to relate to people from all walks of life
  • Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth
  • A recognised tertiary qualification in Social Work
  • Registration with the Social Work Registration Board of NZ
  • Current Annual Practicing Certificate

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is 'the weaving of wellnesses'. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations.

We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To view the position description and/or apply for the role please click “apply now” on our careers page. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on Thursday 24th July. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alex Jay at Alexandra.jay@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Please note, we will be reviewing applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert therefore we encourage you to apply early. 

To be eligible for this role you must hold the legal right to work and live in New Zealand you do not hold the legal right to live and work in New Zealand your application will be declined

Apply now

Permanent/Full Time

Job no: PC3380986

Location: Buller and Northern Areas

Closing Date: Thursday, 24th July 2025