Relationships. Manaakitanga. Safety. Making a difference every shift.
Wellington City Mission (WCM) is looking for Kaitiaki to join our Te Pā Maru team.
Kaitiaki have an important frontline role within our residential services. You will work alongside whānau experiencing homelessness, helping create an environment that is safe, welcoming, respectful and supportive.
This is a practical and relational role. You might spend time talking with whānau over a coffee, cooking, playing a board game or simply being available to listen. At other times, you may need to respond calmly to a challenging situation, support de-escalation or take action to help maintain the safety and security of the environment.
As a Kaitiaki, you will provide cover across our services as required, so flexibility and availability to work a range of shifts are important.
About the role
Our Kaitiaki are often the people who have the most day-to-day contact with whānau.
Building trust and rapport is therefore a significant part of the role. You will engage with whānau in ways that uphold their mana, recognise their strengths and support them as they progress on their journey.
You will also have an important responsibility for maintaining the safety and security of both people and the environment.
This means being approachable and relational while also being observant, maintaining appropriate boundaries and knowing when something needs to be reported or escalated to other members of the team.
What you'll be doing
Build relationships with whānau – proactively develop rapport and trust through respectful, mana-enhancing engagement.
Promote safety and security – help maintain an environment that minimises the risk of harm to whānau, kaimahi and the wider community.
Create a welcoming environment – help ensure our spaces are clean, well presented and reflect manaakitanga.
Engage and connect – spend meaningful time with whānau through kōrero and everyday activities such as cooking, music and games.
Respond calmly to challenges – use communication and de-escalation skills to help maintain a safe environment.
Work as part of the team – communicate relevant information, record interactions appropriately and ensure concerns or support needs are passed to the right people.
About you
You don't need to have followed one particular career pathway to become a Kaitiaki.
You may have experience in community services, customer service, security or community engagement. What matters is that you can connect with people, communicate respectfully and contribute to a safe and welcoming environment.
experience in customer service, security, community engagement or a similar people-focused environment;
the ability to promote safety and security;
strong communication and listening skills;
the ability to build respectful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds;
a calm and considered approach when situations become challenging;
good judgement and appropriate professional boundaries;
sensitivity to diversity in culture, age, ethnicity and gender;
good organisational skills and the ability to work well as part of a team;
a commitment to providing a high-quality service; and
a current New Zealand driver's licence.
Experience in community engagement and customer service would be an advantage, as would experience in de-escalating challenging situations and maintaining a safe environment.
A Level 2 Health and Wellbeing Certificate, or working towards this qualification, would also be an advantage.
The kind of person we're looking for
We are looking for people who are:
warm, approachable and able to build rapport;
respectful and non-judgemental;
calm when situations become challenging;
comfortable working with people experiencing homelessness and other complex circumstances;
able to balance strong relationships with clear professional boundaries;
reliable and willing to contribute as part of a team;
practical and willing to get involved in the everyday life of the service; and
aligned with the kaupapa and values of Wellington City Mission.
You don't need to have all the answers. You do need to be willing to listen, learn, work alongside others and treat people with dignity and respect.
About Wellington City Mission
Wellington City Mission has been supporting people and communities across the Wellington region since 1904.
Our vision is People and communities empowered, transformed and experiencing fullness of life.
Hours and location
This is a permanent position, based at Te Pā Maru, 304 Taranaki St, Mt Cook, Wellington.
Our residential services operate across a range of hours, so Kaitiaki need to be able to work flexibly. Available 12 hour shifts may include day (6:45am-7:15pm), night (6:45pm-7:15am) and weekend work.
Ready to join our Kaitiaki team?
If you are someone who can build trusted relationships, remain calm when situations become challenging and contribute to a safe and mana-enhancing environment, we'd like to hear from you.
To apply, please submit both:
a current CV; and
a cover letter telling us why you are interested in becoming a Kaitiaki and the experience and strengths you would bring to the role.
Please note: Applications that do not include both a cover letter and CV will not be considered.
Apply now to join Wellington City Mission and help create an environment where whānau experience manaakitanga, connection and support.
Applications close 5pm, Friday 30 October 2026.
For a copy of the Position Description, please email [email protected], with Kaitiaki-Te Pā Maru in the subject field.