Social Worker - Rotorua

Hei awhitanga ngā mahi o Rotorua
Tū te tangata, tū te rohe, tū te mana
Tihei mauri ora
Rotorua is a place where whānau, whakapapa and community are at the centre and where social workers have the opportunity to do some of the most meaningful and challenging mahi in Aotearoa.
We are building something different at our Rotorua site. With renewed leadership and a clear focus on strengthening practice, we are lifting expectations and reshaping how we work - with a strong commitment to culturally grounded, whānau-centred approaches.
It takes a whole village to raise tamariki’. We are offering a great sense of community and a unique opportunity for someone to join our team as the social worker of Rotorua site - If you are ready to be part of a team that is raising expectations and doing the mahi differently, we want to hear from you.
Mō mātou | About us
Oranga Tamariki carries a responsibility to support the safety and wellbeing of tamariki and whānau across Aotearoa.
In Rotorua, this means working in genuine partnership with whānau, hapū, iwi and community providers. Our practice is grounded in mana, aroha, tika, pono and whakapapa, guiding how we engage, make decisions, and show up every day.
This role represents an opportunity to shape a new way of working with culturally grounded solutions and innovations that support our operational strategy and direction toward transformational change for the care and protection system, one that builds on the good things that are already happening, and, most importantly, innovates to find new ways of doing things to achieve better outcomes for all.
Mō te tūnga | About the role
This is a busy Rotorua site where you will need to think on your feet, adapt quickly to change, and stay steady under pressure. The pace is fast, expectations are high, and the work requires resilience, sound judgement, and the ability to move decisively while keeping whānau at the centre.
Your mahi will include:
Walking alongside tamariki and whānau, ensuring their voices are heard and reflected in decisions
Building trusted relationships with whānau, hapū, iwi and community partners
Assessing concerns and making sound, evidence-based decisions to support safety and wellbeing
Working alongside other professionals to coordinate practical, effective support
Contributing to hui where shared thinking and collective decision-making are critical
Supporting whānau through key processes with care, clarity and professionalism
This is a role where you will need to hold complexity, remain steady under pressure, and bring clarity to challenging situations.
Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu |What you will bring
Fully registered social worker with a current practising certificate
Experience working alongside tamariki and whānau in complex environments
Confidence in working within Māori, Pasifika and indigenous models of practice
A sound understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in practice
The ability to build trusted relationships with whānau and community
Clear, confident decision-making and accountability for your practice
A collaborative approach within a multi-agency environment
Nōu te rourou | What’s in it for you
The opportunity to be part of a site actively lifting practice and doing things differently
Visible, supportive leadership committed to quality social work
A team culture focused on reflection, integrity and continuous improvement
Ongoing professional development and growth opportunities
Flexible working options
Competitive salary and benefits, including Southern Cross Health cover
Most importantly, you will be part of work that makes a real difference for tamariki and whānau.
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
He karere whakakapi | Closing message
If you’re committed to standing alongside whānau, strengthening communities, and contributing to a more culturally grounded approach to social work, we encourage you to apply.
Come and be part of a Rotorua team focused on getting it right for tamariki and whānau.
Don't miss this opportunity. Applications close on 30th October 2026
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.

Work arrangement
Yes