Casual Residential Youth Workers Whakatakapokai Auckland

Are you passionate in making a real and positive difference to New Zealand's tamariki and rangatahi?

We currently have opportunities for Casual Residential Youth Workers to join the Whakatakapokai team.

Mō mātou | About us:
Our tamariki and rangatahi deserve to feel safe, have their voices heard, and be surrounded by loving whānau. At Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, we're on a journey to ensure that it happens. We are a leading social work practice that is child-centred, trauma-informed, and effective for all cultures. We are a Ministry with a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of everything we do and say

Whakatakapokai is the most recent secure youth justice residence to open. With 15 beds, there is a strong aspirational focus on achieving positive change with rangatahi through a model of care that draws on holistic, relational, and restorative ways of being to reduce reoffending. We are dedicated to providing an environment that supports a Te Ao Māori approach and committed the cultural diversity of our Rangatahi. As part of our collective brand of practice you may be asked to support certain activities across the youth justice network.

Mō te tūnga | About the role:
Residential Youth Workers are high quality role models and champions of rangatahi in our care. They support rangatahi to strengthen their confidence and skills to be positive contributors to their whānau and communities.

Guiding behavioral change requires kaimahi with confidence and courage. There is a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Ensuring that a safe and secure environment is maintained for the benefit of the rangatahi, staff and the community
• Supporting rangatahi in their personal growth with a focus on addressing offending behaviors, learning new skills, strengthening pro-social relationships, maintaining physical and mental health, participating in daily activities and programmes.

It is important that you are motivated to engage in our way of being, so it is an advantage to have skills in tikanga & te reo Māori - however a strong motivation to learn restorative approaches is a great start. You will work within a collaborative and reflective workplace so need to be open minded and a team player who is committed to achieving Oranga Tamariki's vision, purpose, and values together.

As a Casual Residential Worker, you will be required to cover the shifts of our Residential Youth Workers.

This is not a 9 to 5 job - our rangatahi require wrap around support from us which is why our Residential Youth Workers do rostered shifts as we provide 24-hour, 7-days per week care (including weekends and public holidays). This role will likely be required to work over the holiday period.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring:
We value our kaimahi and the wide range of skills and experiences they have. We want to hear from you if you have:

• High quality skills to work with rangatahi who may have behavioural issues.
• Studies or qualifications in psychology, social sciences, social work, or education (beneficial but not required). Life learnings are equally important, and we value the life experience of our staff bring to this practical and challenging role.
• Available to work a roster that covers mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays
• Willingness to support at other South Auckland residences if operationally required
• An appropriate level of physical health & fitness to interact with rangatahi
• The right to work in New Zealand
• A restricted or full, clean New Zealand driver's license.
• You must meet the safety checking and police vetting requirements required under the Children's Act. This includes a police vetting where the Clean Slate scheme does not apply.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you
As well as making a positive contribution to rangatahi in care, if you join our team working shifts in our residence you will receive a package of remuneration and benefits that includes:

• A variety of flexible shifts
• $26.00 per hour + 8% holiday pay on hours worked
• Onsite parking
• Paid training to best set you up for success
• Professional development pathways
• Access to counselling and support when you need it through our employee assistance programme which reflects our genuine commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our kaimahi

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit:

How to Apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono:
Apply online with your CV and cover letter. For reporting and transparency, it is important that all applications are submitted through our careers site, please do not email through applications and/or CVs.

If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee, please register or log in using your Oranga Tamariki e-mail address.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact

Hurry as applications for this role close at midnight 11th of January 2026
Please note that due to the Christmas and New Year holiday period, we will not be reviewing applications until the week commencing 12 January 2026
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 expecations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.