Kā Pou Whenua Pūkenga Kaitautoko Cultural Support Worker
01/04/2026
24/04/2026
$60,000.00 - $70,000.00
Permanent - Full Time
Christchurch
Kaitautoko
The Kā Pou WhenuaPūkenga Kaitautoko Cultural Support Worker delivers an On-Call After Hours Crisis Support Service Based at Te Nikau Hospital across Specialist Mental Health Services, the Emergency Department and Acute GP Practice.
Kā Pou Whenua aims to break down the barriers that whānau often face when seeking mental health support and care. The Kā Pou Whenua after-hours crisis support service has been established to provide vital support to whānau in the West Coast region who experience acute or sub-acute distress.
Job Description
Kā Pou Whenua is a kaupapa Māori after-hours crisis support service operating within the West Coast, providing compassionate, culturally grounded support for individuals and whānau experiencing mental distress.
Our service offers Culturally informed support for whānau in acute distress, providing weekend support to West Coast DHB Specialist Mental Health Services (SMHS) for Tāngata whaiora and their whānau, ensuring that those requiring specialist intervention receive care that is both clinically appropriate and culturally responsive. Whilst the service is informed by Kaupapa Maori approaches to wellbeing the service is available to all Tanagata Whaiora who seek service support.
Desired Skills and Experience
Kā Pou Whenua Pūkenga Kaitautoko role
Provides cultural support for Tāngata whaiora and their whānau accessing Services.
Attends call-outs with the SMHS team when an assessment is required, whether in hospital, community settings, or at the tāngata Whaiora’s residence to Support whaiora through the assessment process when requested by Whaiora.
Is available for call-outs during rostered shifts to ensure culturally responsive care.
Assesses the level of need / emotional distress in whaiora and their whānau waiting for services within the ED or CR spaces (including reception) and seeks to support as appropriate
You will be part of a small and dedicated team working across Te Nikau hospital and the community and a valued member of the wider Purapura Whetu Trust whanau. We provide ongoing training opportunities, and relocation support is available.
For more information about the role, including key responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the Position Description on our website www.pw.maori.nz/job-vacancies/
Applications will be processed as they are received.