Kaiwhakaako Epuni Lower Hutt

“Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere. Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.”

(The bird that partakes of the miro berry owns the forest. The bird that partakes of knowledge owns the world.)

We are seeking a passionate Kaiwhakaako to provide leadership grounded in Te Ao Māori within our Care and Protection Residence. This role is pivotal in ensuring our tamariki and rangatahi experience culturally responsive care that upholds mana and strengthens whānau connections. You will champion mana-enhancing practice in all interactions, ensuring dignity and respect are at the heart of everything we do.

• Support rangatahi to connect with their whakapapa and strengthen their cultural identity
• Enable rangatahi to participate in Te Ao Māori for example through opportunities at marae, through our tikanga and kawa, in mahi toi, te reo, waiata, karakia
• Build the confidence and competence of our kaimahi in Te Ao Māori
• Strengthen our relationships with mana whenua and kaupapa Māori organisations in our community
• Strong knowledge of Te Ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori
• Proven ability to lead and influence others
• Experience, understanding and knowledge of te reo Māori me ona tikanga
• Experience working with tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

At Oranga Tamariki, we are committed to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and embedding Te Ao Māori into everything we do. We strive create an environment where tamariki and rangatahi Māori are supported to thrive, and where whānau connections are strengthened. This role is central to ensuring our services reflect tikanga, kawa, kaupapa Māori values, and mana-enhancing practice.

Me pēhea te tuku tono |How to Apply

Apply online with your CV and Cover Letter. Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so highlight how your experience relates to the competencies listed in the position description.

If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your Oranga Tamariki email address. If you have any questions about role, please contact Jo Harrison on

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.

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