Youth Worker

• 2x Permanent positions available from 1 st of July
• Working across the Wellington region

Are you interested in helping rangatahi develop the skills they need to be meaningful contributors to their whānau & communities? Would you like to share your interests, passions, and culture to help inspire and empower rangatahi? We would love to hear from you!

We are looking for a positive role model to provide support, aroha and maintain a safe environment for our tamariki and rangatahi within the youth justice setting (non-residential) to achieve better outcomes.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As a Youth Worker in the Greater Wellington Youth Justice team, you will work directly with our tamariki and rangatahi to develop and deliver activities and programmes that give them opportunities to create and work towards positive goals. You'll be a champion for them, helping them recognise and realise their own potential, and give them hope to turn their lives around.

If you are passionate about supporting young people to build direction, resilience, and hope for the future, this role offers a strong sense of purpose and impact. By placing tamariki and rangatahi at the centre of your practice, recognising their strengths, and supporting positive change, you contribute not only to their wellbeing but to safer and stronger communities. You will work as part of a collaborative team, contributing to shared decision-making, planning, and case management alongside Social Workers and other professionals, supporting rangatahi through the Youth Justice pathway.

This position will see you involved in all aspects of supporting the team to implement the non-social work components of the plan. The scope for development in this role is great, and you will be a valued member of the team.

• Engaging with whānau and other people involved in the rangatahi's plan
• Spending time with the rangatahi and relating well to young people
• Working alongside Social Workers to support the mahi of bringing to life the Care Standards and positive outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi
• Attending meetings with the rangatahi and other professionals from a range of different agencies e.g. Police, Education, Health and the community
• Making and coordinating appointments for rangatahi
• Involving in activity based and recreational programmes with our rangatahi
• Taking young people to appointments that do not require a social workers presence
• Helping rangatahi to learn independence skills such as shopping and budgeting
• Supporting rangatahi at Family Group Conferences
• Recording and other administrative tasks to support the team
• Supporting rangatahi to attend visit e.g. with mental health and education services
• May be required to attend visits to the home or with other whānau

These are just examples; a lot will depend on the special skills you bring to the team and how these can contribute to better outcomes for our rangatahi. You will be involved in the planning for the rangatahi and provide valuable feedback to the team from your involvement.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

Key requirements of the role include:

• Experience working with rangatahi and tamariki with resilience, initiative and a proactive approach.
• Sound judgement with the ability to manage risk and make tough decisions.
• Empathy, patience and ability to see past what someone may be struggling with.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt to your audience.
• Understanding in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori.
• A tertiary education within psychology, social sciences, social work, sports, music, arts or teaching would be an advantage (but is not required). Life learnings are equally important, and we value the life experience of our staff bring to this practical and challenging role.
• A current and valid clean full New Zealand driver's license.
• Meet the Children's Act safety checking and our vetting requirements, including the right to work in New Zealand.

Mō mātou | About us

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do.

Our vision is to ensure 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.

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment of 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.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offer an impartial remuneration package ranging from $57,760 to $65,334 depending on experience and offer progression annually for experience through tenure.

We 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. 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

Hurry as applications for this role close 25th June 2026 however we will be reviewing CV's as we go so get your applications in today as we will close the role if preferred candidate is found!

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.