Outreach Navigator
Fixed Term – One Year | 37.5 hours per week
Roderique Hope Trust is looking for an experienced and compassionate Outreach Navigator to join our team.
Roderique Hope Trust is a local Taranaki housing charity providing a range of housing and social support services across the region, including Transitional Housing, Sustaining Tenancies, Emergency Housing, Community Connector Services, the Ready to Rent programme and the Taranaki Housing Pathways Initiative.
Our work is grounded in compassion, integrity, respect and collaboration. We believe everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and understanding and to have the opportunity to access safe, stable housing.
About the role
The Taranaki Housing Pathways Initiative is a regionally coordinated outreach and housing support service working with individuals and whānau experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity or at risk of losing their housing.
As an Outreach Navigator, you will work alongside individuals and whānau to build trusting relationships, understand their circumstances and support them to identify and achieve appropriate housing pathways.
This is a relationship based role combining outreach, housing navigation, advocacy, case management and coordinated support.
You will work across the New Plymouth District and South Taranaki, providing flexible outreach in community settings, temporary accommodation and other locations where people experiencing homelessness may be staying.
You will work closely with the Housing Coordinator and wider Taranaki Housing Pathways team, as well as MSD, Kāinga Ora, iwi and health providers, housing providers and community organisations to develop coordinated responses and improve housing outcomes.
What you will be responsible for -
Outreach and engagement
Proactively identify and engage with individuals and whānau experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping or housing insecurity.
Undertake regular outreach across Taranaki, including in community settings, temporary accommodation and other locations where people may be staying.
Build trusting, respectful and culturally responsive relationships with people who may have had limited engagement with mainstream services.
Respond to referrals from government agencies, iwi and health providers, Police, Corrections, community organisations and members of the public.
Complete housing assessments and identify needs, strengths, risks and barriers to sustainable housing.
Housing navigation and support
Develop individualised housing plans with whānau and support access to appropriate housing pathways.
Assist whānau with identification, income assistance, documentation and other requirements needed to secure housing.
Advocate with landlords, housing providers, government agencies and community organisations where appropriate.
Support whānau to establish and maintain successful tenancies and provide ongoing support following housing placement.
Work collaboratively across Government and community organisations.
Facilitate warm referrals and coordinated responses to ensure whānau receive appropriate and connected support.
Advocacy and administration
Support whānau to access health, budgeting, employment, education, addiction, counselling, family violence and other community services.
Support individuals transitioning into appropriate accommodation.
Work alongside whānau in a strengths based way that promotes dignity, independence and self determination.
Maintain accurate case notes, assessments, reports and client records.
Complete required service data and reporting.
Participate in staff meetings, professional and cultural supervision, training and ongoing professional development.
Maintain privacy, confidentiality and compliance with organisational, contractual, health and safety and legislative requirements.
About you
This role requires someone who is compassionate, resilient, resourceful and relationship focused, with the ability to work confidently and professionally in a range of community settings.
You will understand that effective outreach begins with relationships. You will be able to meet people with respect and without judgement, while maintaining professional boundaries and working toward meaningful housing outcomes.
We are looking for someone who can -
Build trusting relationships with people experiencing complex circumstances.
Engage respectfully with people who may be reluctant or hesitant to engage with services.
Communicate clearly and effectively with whānau, colleagues and professional partners.
Remain calm and use sound judgement when situations are challenging or unpredictable.
Balance compassion and empathy with appropriate professional boundaries.
Work independently while contributing positively to a multidisciplinary team.
Advocate effectively while supporting whānau to develop their own voice
Manage competing priorities and follow matters through.
Demonstrate professionalism, integrity and accountability.
Skills and experience
We are looking for someone with experience in housing, homelessness, social services, community development, mental health or a related sector.
You will also have -
Experience undertaking outreach, case management, advocacy or intensive support work.
An understanding of homelessness, housing insecurity and barriers to sustainable housing.
Experience engaging with people experiencing complex circumstances.
Experience working collaboratively across the community
Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
Excellent organisational, problem solving and decision making skills.
An understanding of Tikanga Māori and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The ability to work in a culturally responsive and trauma informed way.
Competent computer skills.
A current First Aid Certificate, or willingness to obtain one.
Why join Roderique Hope Trust?
This is an opportunity to join a passionate and committed team working to improve housing outcomes for individuals and whānau across Taranaki.
As an Outreach Navigator, you will play an important role in connecting with people who may not otherwise be accessing housing and support services and helping create pathways toward safe and sustainable housing.
The role is varied and requires flexibility, initiative and resilience. You will have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, advocate alongside whānau, work collaboratively across the housing and social service sectors and see the difference that stable housing can make in people's lives.
If you are someone who can build strong relationships, work confidently in the community, navigate housing pathways and support whānau toward positive housing outcomes, we would like to hear from you.
Essential requirements
Applicants must -
Hold New Zealand Residency or a valid New Zealand work visa.
Hold a full and clean New Zealand Driver Licence.
Successfully pass a Police Vetting process.
Be willing to travel throughout Taranaki as required.
Be willing to work flexible hours on occasions to respond to whānau needs and outreach activities.
Be willing to undertake ongoing professional, cultural and trauma informed practice training.
For the full position description please email: hello@roderiquehope.co.nz
Applications close on Friday 28th August 2026 at 5.00pm
Roderique Hope Trust is a local Taranaki housing charity providing a range of housing and social support services across the region, including Transitional Housing, Sustaining Tenancies, Emergency Housing, Community Connector Services, the Ready to Rent programme and the Taranaki Housing Pathways Initiative.