Role Overview
The Psychologist / Therapist / Counsellor will support the emotional, psychological, and relational wellbeing of participants engaging in the Social Cohesion Wānanga. The role focuses on supporting our MC in facilitating safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed spaces that strengthen connection, understanding, and collective resilience across a diverse group of people.
Central to this role is an understanding of medical trauma and community-based healing approaches.
Key Responsibilities
Wānanga Support
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Offer brief therapeutic interventions, emotional regulation strategies, and wellbeing supports appropriate to a group wānanga environment.
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Recognise and respond appropriately to trauma responses, vicarious trauma, and distress.
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Provide referrals or pathways to additional support where participants require ongoing or specialised care.
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Maintain ethical boundaries and confidentiality within a community-based setting.
Cultural Safety & Social Cohesion
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Embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in practice.
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Support understanding and reconciliation across difference, including culture, ethnicity, faith, gender, age, and worldview.
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Contribute to strengthening collective resilience
Programme Development & Collaboration
Professional & Ethical Responsibilities
Key Capabilities & Competencies
Essential
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Recognised qualification in Psychology, Counselling, Psychotherapy, or a related field.
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Current registration and practising certificate with a relevant professional body (e.g., NZ Psychologists Board, NZAC, PBANZ, or equivalent).
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Experience working with groups and/or community-based programmes.
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Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice and psychological safety.
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Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills.
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Knowledge of innate variations in sex characteristics, also called intersex or ira tangata
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Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally safe practice.
Desirable
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Experience working with Intersex, those with innate variations in sex characteristics, or ira tangata
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Understanding of social cohesion, conflict resolution, restorative practice, or peace-building.
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Experience supporting communities impacted by inequity, discrimination, or historical trauma.
Personal Attributes
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Calm, grounded, and emotionally regulated presence.
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High situational awareness and sound professional judgement.
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Respectful, non-judgemental, and mana-preserving approach.
Additional Information
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This role does not provide long-term therapy or clinical treatment.
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Engagement is limited to event days, with pre-brief and post-event debrief sessions as required
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This role requires professional indemnity insurance to be covered by applicant
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Practitioners must be comfortable operating within a community, kaupapa-driven environment rather than a traditional clinical sePayrate to be discussed
The Psychologist / Therapist / Counsellor will support the emotional, psychological, and relational wellbeing of participants engaging in the Social Cohesion Wānanga.
Please email your CV and short cover email
