Mental Health Clinician - Forensic Prison and Court team

• Hamilton with travel across the regions
• Permanent 80 hours per fortnight however part time hours would be considered

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

We are seeking dynamic registered health professionals to join our Puawai forensic prison and court team. The teams work alongside each other providing the opportunity to experience both areas of expertise. This service aims to deliver excellent care in a culturally responsive manner, to support the best outcomes for Māori is fundamental to our mahi.

Key responsibilities:

• Build relationships with tāngata whaiora, whanau and support agencies.
• Conduct thorough mental health and risk assessments of tāngata whaiora in prison or court.
• Provide feedback of assessments to judiciary or Ara Poutama.
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for tāngata whaiora.
• Liaise with core external agencies including Ara Poutama, district courts across the midland region and other Te Whatu Ora districts.

To view the position description for Occupational Therapist click here, for Registered Nurse click here or for Social Worker click here.

About the Team/Service

The service delivers mental health care to individuals in the prison, community and court settings within the Midland Region.  The forensic court liaison team covers Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki regions. The prison team covers Springhill, Waikeria and Tongariro prisons, this role will be based in Hamilton.

About Hamilton

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here

About you

• Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth.
• Experience in upholding Te Tiriti principles and frameworks, and the application of Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches, particularly as they apply in healthcare settings.
• Highly developed interpersonal communication and negotiation skills including demonstrated ability to build productive working relationships with colleagues to achieve required outcomes.
• Registration with applicable registration board with current annual practicing certificate.
• Experience working in mental health and addictions
• A current full NZ drivers licence.

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 online or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on 31 July 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Nellie Kereopa at Nellie.Kereopa@waikatodhb.health.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.