Social Worker

• Permanent Fulltime opportunity available
• Te Ahuru Mowai (Tauranga site)
• Competitive Salary

The wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi is everyone's responsibility. They deserve to feel safe, have their voices heard, and be surrounded by loving whānau and community.

Do you want to be a part of creating a safe future for tamariki? We acknowledge that there is much work to do but we are up for it. We're looking for qualified and registered social workers who want to make a real difference by putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of everything they do.

Our Te Ahuru Mowai site is looking for a permanent Social Workers to join their team.

Nestled along New Zealand's stunning Bay of Plenty, Tauranga is a thriving, beautiful city known for its warm climate, coastal lifestyle, and close-knit community. Living here, you'll enjoy beautiful beaches, lush parks, and abundant outdoor activities like surfing, hiking, and exploring nearby Mount Maunganui. Tauranga also offers a vibrant arts scene, a growing economy, and excellent amenities, from quality schools and healthcare to lively cafes and restaurants. With a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere and a strong focus on community wellbeing, Tauranga provides an ideal setting for a fulfilling career in social work, where you can make a real difference while enjoying a balanced lifestyle.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As part of our team, you will spend your day meeting with tamariki, rangatahi and their family and whānau listening to what they have to say, completing assessments of need, formulating intensive intervention plans, participating in hui-ā-whānau, family group conferences, and partnering with other agencies, community groups and local iwi to improve outcomes.

• Hear tamariki and rangatahi voices and support them or their whānau to make positive changes
• Work with various cultural groups and people from different backgrounds
• Complete initial safety checks and assessments on the tamariki, rangatahi and whānau
• Holding a hui; supporting whānau to grow their capacity to care for their tamariki and rangatahi
• Be involved in planning interventions to maintain tamariki and rangatahi within their whānau
• Work alongside partners in our community, non-government organisations and state sector agencies
• Be an advocate on behalf of tamariki and rangatahi to ensure they have the support and resources needed to reach their full potential

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

• Full registration with New Zealand's Social Work Registration Board (SWRB)
• A social worker qualification recognised by the SWRB
• A full, clean driver's licence
• A positive attitude and the ability to influence and empower our tamariki and rangatahi
• Empathy, patience, and ability to see past what someone may be struggling with
• Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to adapt to your audience
• Great written skills as you will need to prepare social work plans, write court reports, case notes and other documents
• Strong analytical skills and an ability to assess tamariki and rangatahi changing needs
• Ability to manage risk and make tough decisions

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

• A competitive market salary between $81,206 to $97,557
• A challenging, fascinating, and highly rewarding career with many opportunities for professional development and building your professional network with colleagues across the wider children's workforce
• Ongoing training, regular supervision to support you in achieving your personal and professional goals and annual fees paid for your SWRB/ANZASW membership
• Colleagues who are united in their commitment to the highest standards of relational, inclusive, and restorative social work practice
• Recently refurbished Masterton site. With all the new mod cons, close to town with plenty of parking and plants and fish for a serene environment.

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

Mō mātou | About us

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.

We are committed to putting tamariki first, we believe aroha is vital, we respect the mana of people, we are tika and pono, we value whakapapa and we recognise that oranga is a journey.

If you genuinely care about providing tamariki and rangatahi with the aroha and support they need early on in life, you'll get immense satisfaction from being able to turn lives around and seeing the difference your mahi makes to our young Kiwi's. So, will you join us?

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter. 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

Hurry, applications close 14th January 2026

Our code of conduct requires our employees to remain free from the influences of drugs and alcohol whilst at work