"Mental Health Specialist for Māori"

Job Description:

Mental Health Specialist for Māori

• Play a key role in supporting Māori student wellbeing and ensuring culturally safe, equitable mental health care.
• Bring your cultural leadership and clinical expertise into a collaborative, values-driven wellbeing team.
• Work alongside Māori student support teams and Māori staff networks to strengthen kaupapa Māori approaches across AUT.
• Permanent, full-time role with flexibility to work across all three campuses.

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is bold and unapologetically different, centred on students and grounded in Knowledge that Works, driven by talented, progressive people. We are New Zealand’s newest university, ranked 5-stars by QS Universities 2025 and a place of opportunity where more than 26,000 students with talent and potential succeed, supported by a community of more than 4,000 staff based primarily across three Auckland campuses. Built on collaboration, shared purpose and the values of Pono (fact, truth, reality, integrity), Tika (acting accordingly, doing what is needed, ethical expression), and Aroha (empathy, care, compassion). AUT offers an innovative, forward-thinking environment where committed people work together to improve outcomes for students, communities, and the world.

AUT recognises the importance of Te Tiriti, Māori and Pacific knowledge, leadership, and contribution across our university and is committed to creating environments where these communities can thrive. We embrace diversity in all its forms and are proud to welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs.

The Opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to bring together their skills in mental health practice and their commitment to Māori wellbeing. In this role, you will support all students who require mental health care, with a particular focus on ensuring Māori students experience culturally safe, mana-enhancing support and equitable access to our services.

You will work closely with our Māori student support team, Māori health networks and the wider whānau of Māori staff across AUT. Together, you will help strengthen Māori wellbeing pathways, contribute to kaupapa Māori initiatives, and ensure our service reflects tikanga, mātauranga Māori, and Te Tiriti-based practice.

About you | Ko wai koe

If you’re the kind of person who isn’t afraid to try new things, explore bold ideas and inject real energy and passion into the entire university experience - you’ll fit right in.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A tertiary qualification in mental health, psychology, counselling, social work, occupational therapy, nursing, or similar. Current registration with a relevant professional body.
• Ideally five years’ clinical experience providing therapeutic counselling, mental health care, risk management and case management – however, we welcome applicants with a strong clinical foundation and demonstrated cultural leadership with Māori communities.
• Māori worldview and mātauranga Māori are recognised as integral to this role, and expertise in these areas is highly valued.
• A desire and willingness to learn – we are always happy to invest in our people.
• A collaborative leadership style, with a commitment to AUT’s values of Tika, Pono, and Aroha – integrity, respect, and compassion and continuous improvement.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Supportive of AUT’s Te Aronui journey (https://www.aut.ac.nz/about/maori/auts-commitment-to-Te-Tiriti-o-Waitangi).

As a professional member of staff at AUT, you’ll help keep us moving forward. From improving our services and streamlining our systems to supporting the experiences of students and staff across our campuses. By working collaboratively, solving problems and driving practical improvements, you’ll play a vital role in helping us operate smoothly, raise our profile, and evolve what we do every day.

You will bring an open, engaging, and collaborative approach, with the flexibility to respond to changing requirements, and actively contribute to a positive and collegial environment. You will demonstrate cultural humility, awareness, and respect when engaging with indigenous peoples and culturally diverse communities. Experience supporting indigenous, equity, or inclusion-focused initiatives is highly desirable.

What we offer | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou

At AUT, you’ll be part of a values-led university that supports you to thrive in your role and career. We offer:

• Flexible working and a strong, caring culture that supports belonging.
• Recognition frameworks that reflect your contribution and how you live our values.
• The tools and trust to make a meaningful difference every day.
• Māori and Pacific development programmes that strengthen our shared purpose.
• Cultural capability uplift development programmes for all staff
• Professional development and funded study pathways to keep you moving forward.
• Free gym membership.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

Along with your CV, please ensure to submit a cover letter which explains why this role (and AUT) is of interest, and how your experience aligns with the key experience and attributes we're seeking

Further Information | Pārongo Anō

• Start Date: To be agreed with the successful candidate
• Salary Ranges: $93,481 - $114,284 per annum (appointment level and salary commensurate with skills and experience)
• For further information: Please send us an enquiry here or call 09 921 9499.

Closing Date | Te rā aukati: 15th March at 11:55 PM

Job Reference | Tohutoro Mahi: 94742

*Full-time denotes 37.5 hours per week

*At AUT we strive to be a place where people love to work and learn. We are committed to te Tiriti, excellence and inclusivity and aspire to be the University of choice for Māori and Pacific communities. We welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs.*

Please note that all applications must be submitted through the online application process. For further information, please send us an enquiry here or call 921 9499. Please note we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email. You will need to apply through the standard registration process.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.

With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.