Social Worker - Pacific Health - Manukau

• Opportunity to contribute to the well-being and better health outcomes of Pacific Peoples
• Contribute to transforming the future of health as a Social Worker
• PSA Allied Health CEA

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders. We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities. Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.

About the Role

We have a permanent, full-time role for a Social Worker to join the Pacific Health Service, based in Manukau.  In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Providing specialist social assessments and planned social work intervention.
• Being an effective member of a multi-disciplinary team process focused on meeting quality outcomes for patients/clients and their families.
• Coordinating suitable and timely access to services for patients and their families by providing effective assessment and intervention for patients.
• Attending family meetings as required and referrals to appropriate service providers.
• Working effectively with clinical staff and social work colleagues in wards regarding patient care planning and patient discharge processes.
• Leading and integrating the needs of Pacific patients during hospitalisation and discharge planning.
• Contributing or taking responsibility for student clinical placements where appropriate and in consultation with senior practitioners.
• Ensuring cultural and clinical supervision is undertaken regularly.
• Providing accurate and timely reports, data and information as needed.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The Pacific Health Service is a hospital-based service that provides culturally responsive care for Pacific patients admitted to the hospital. The Social Worker is part of the Pacific Health Service and contributes to interdisciplinary team function by providing assessment, interventions and discharge planning with patients/clients who present with a range of complex health and social needs.

The Social Worker will also act as a resource for the inpatient services to address and respond to the sociocultural needs of Pacific patients and their families.

About you

You will be a registered Social Worker with an active APC. You will take legal and professional responsibility for managing your own caseload of patients/clients with increasing complexity and be able to independently adapt and make decisions regarding Social Work intervention. You will utilise information available to prioritise patients/clients to enable appropriate allocation of referrals and workload, with staff in the team.

• A Social Work qualification recognised by the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB)
• A current and up-to-date Annual Practising Certificate (APC)
• Relevant post-graduate qualification or working towards a postgraduate qualification
• Member of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) desirable
• Fluent in a Pacific island language
• 3-5 years of health experience
• Clean and current full driver's licence

 Working for 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 by Sunday, 24 May 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Maria Bennett at maria.bennett1@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.