Social Worker - Mental Health & Addiction Services

Social Worker - Mental Health & Addiction Services

Social Worker

Southern Lakes Adult Community Mental Health & Addiction Services - Taupo

Permanent part time or full time (Monday to Friday)

We are seeking an experienced Social Worker to join our Southern Lakes Adult Community Mental Health & Addictions Service. We are also open to application from experienced Registered Nurses or Occupational Therapists. If you are wanting to join a passionate team who places great value on putting people first, embedding Te Ao Māori in every-day practice, leading with kindness and achieving excellence together; then this may be the opportunity for you. The role is based at the Taupo offices.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the role

• Provide specialist intervention for people to optimise recovery and quality of life as well as case coordination.
• Provide community mental health care based on current best practice and collaborative working within the interdisciplinary team.
• Ensure all inter-disciplinary referrals within the team will be performed with consent from whaiora and their whānau (where applicable).
• Work collaboratively with complementary internal and external partner organisations.

About the Team/Service/Location

We are growing our team with the opportunity for an experienced mental health professional to help embed our model of care Te Ara Tauwhirotanga: pathways that lead us to act with kindness. Te Ara Tauwhirotanga is the product of extensive co-design with over 400 participants from the Lakes community, a model that clearly articulates what works for people in their recovery and healing journey. This is an exciting time to join our service as we have recently opened the new contemporary mental health wellbeing and recovery unit in Rotorua.

Health New Zealand |Te Whatu Ora Lakes provides healthcare from its two modern and progressive general hospitals in Rotorua and Taupo, New Zealand. The Lakes district is becoming the lifestyle destination of choice and is well known for its many outdoor recreational activities, family friendly beaches, and a growing multi-cultural community. Working at Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Lakes provides a great opportunity to balance an amazing lifestyle with a rewarding professional experience. As well as a supportive, inclusive and diverse work environment, Health New Zealand |Te Whatu Ora Lakes offer competitive salary, free staff parking, free flu vaccination, discounts (with local businesses), and access to Employee Assistance Program.

About you

• Registered Clinician (Social Worker, Registered Nurse, Occupational Therapist) with experience in a community mental health environment.
• Annual Practising Certificate & Registered with the appropriate regulatory body
• Sound assessment and psychosocial intervention skills
• Competent in all facets of assessment, holistic care and multi-disciplinary team work and have demonstrated ability to work with all ethnicities, particularly Māori/Iwi.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply please click apply now. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before end of posting date. If you have any questions about the role, please contact vacancy@lakesdhb.govt.nz. The selection process starts from the date of advertising. Due to the fast-paced nature of our roles, the vacancy close date may be subject to change.

Job Reference: - TAU03039

Location: - North Island - Waikato - Taupo

Job type: - Permanent Full time

Expertise: - Clinical - Mental Health

Closes: - 11-Oct-2026