Manager Residence Operations

MANAGER RESIDENCE OPERATIONS

• Apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.
• Christchurch location
• Permanent opportunity

We offer our tamariki valuable experiences and set them up with the skills they will need to meaningfully contribute to their whānau and community.

Mō mātou | About us

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

• We put Tamariki first
• We believe Aroha is vital
• We respect the Mana of people
• We are Tika and Pono
• We value Whakapapa
• We recognise that Oranga is a journey

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.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. The team at our Te Puna Wai Youth Justice Residence take pride in offering our tamariki support that will help them to get their lives back on track. As a team, we are committed to ensuring that we are operating with excellence and the time tamariki spend in our residence will improve their prospects for the future.

We are searching for a Manager Residence Operations (MRO) to support one of our largest Youth Justice Residences in Aotearoa. We are on the hunt for someone who has experience at a management level leading operations in a high-risk and complexed environment, ideally in the social services, justice or health sectors. The MRO will be responsible for leading and overseeing the day-to-day operations of Te Puna Wai.

What is a youth justice residence?

Te Puna Wai Youth Justice Residence is a place where 13-19-year-olds are accommodated to await court proceedings or service of a sentence. This means that they are not free to leave.

However, a residence is not a prison. We offer our tamariki valuable experiences and set them up with the skills they will need to meaningfully contribute to their whānau and community.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

Key requirements of the role include:

• Demonstrated track record of being able to lead from the front in a dynamic environment.
• Experience in developing, coaching leaders and creating high performing teams taking a proactive, real time, approach to any people challenges that arise.
• Ability to manage and mitigate risk.
• Experience managing complex and fast-moving situations and making decisions that prioritise the wellbeing of staff, rangatahi and tamariki.
• Ability to identify key opportunities to drive improved performance and ensure compliance with relevant policies and standards are adhered to.
• Passion for youth work and strong commitment to role modelling therapeutic, trauma informed and care-centric ways of working.
• Ability to work on-call and weekends when required
• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples’ culture .

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offer a step-based remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $125,926 and $139,459 dependant on experience.

We also offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.

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

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

Applications for this role close at midnight on Monday 25 th May 2026.

However, we will be reviewing applications and inviting candidates to interview prior to this date, so apply now!

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.