Wairua Pracititioner
Wairua Practitioner – He Ara Whakamana Tangata
Fixed Term Contract - Now - April 2026
About the role
This role works within the He Ara Whakamana Tangata team, with its primary purpose to meet the needs of residents with an existing or suspected mental illness, which may or may not be wairua driven, with associated risk and/or impairment, who are navigating living within a permanent residential setting.
We value team development and our people's career growth; we will mentor you on your unique journey to do meaningful work in a supportive environment. This role is a great starting point where you can learn on the job and work towards a longer-term career at Auckland Mission
Duties
- Provide blessings for residents as required and conduct clearings through each whare at least weekly.
- Collaborate with MH Nurse, evaluate residents/whānau wairua/health needs and provide accordingly.
- Contributes to effective discharge planning and/or referral processes to health care providers and support agencies to meet identified health needs.
- Implement frameworks and tools to review and improve services, extend Māori capabilities and privilege Māori development while challenging existing behaviour, practices and processes.
- Identify situations of clinical risk and takes appropriate action to ensure a safe environment for residents/whānau and staff.
Skills & Experience
- Significant, proven experience working in the mahi a wairua sector with a strong endoresement from a reputable Tohunga/Wairua Practitioner.
- Knowledge of Tikanga informed care and understanding culture, power and how it relates to the Te Tiriti.
- Working knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
- Empathy and understanding of issues of trauma, mental health, addiction, poverty and homelessness.
- Strong understanding and practice within te ao Māori
Skills, experience and knowledge may also be obtained from a number of different experiences. For example, from paid work, voluntary work, work undertaken within your Church, Marae, or from specific iwi/whānau responsibilities.
Benefits
- EAP & external supervision.
- 5 x ‘Mission leave’ days, additional to annual and sick leave.
- Monthly romiromi (holistic energy and bodywork).
- Ongoing training and development.
- 15% discount at Auckland City Mission retail op shops.
- Access to low cost, farm fresh produce on a weekly basis.
- Discounted parking at Sky City.
- Career progression opportunities
About the organisation
Auckland City Mission - Te Tāpui Atawhai supports Aucklanders in greatest need. Our services have evolved as the city’s social needs have changed, and we respond to these needs with care and compassion while advocating for a reality where there are: enough suitable homes, enough money for nutritious food, and easily accessible health care for all. Since our doors opened more than 100 years ago, this has been our ‘why’. Today, we operate across 9 sites in Tāamaki Makaurau. We offer support for however long and in whatever way is needed – for some people, that’s simply accessing one of our many services, for others, it’s a complex journey with our full support.
Over the past 12 months, the Mission has provided 200 people with permanent homes, conducted over 20,000 consultations at the Calder Health Centre in HomeGround, cared for 462 people in our residential social detox facility in HomeGround, distributed almost 50,000 food parcels to families and individuals, and served over 80,000 warm meals in our community dining room, Haeata.
Last year we were proud to win the Nga Āhuatanga o Te Tiriti Tohu (Award), and the Supreme Award at the 2023 Diversity Awards. These awards recognise our mahi to create a workplace which empowers Māori, and where Māori solutions can be developed and offered to the people who we support. If you are interested in this role, please apply with your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and the Auckland City Mission.
