Outreach Mental Health Nurse - Fixed Term
About Lifewise & Merge Cafe
Lifewise is a long-standing community organisation with over 150 years of history, working alongside marginalised communities to enable people to thrive. Merge Cafe and community is a welcoming, inclusive space supporting Auckland's street whanau and people experiencing homelessness.
About the role
We are seeking a Registered Nurse with experience in mental health or addictions to join our community-based Outreach team. This role moves beyond clinic walls, meeting people experiencing homelessness in the community, on the street, and at Merge Cafe, providing trauma-informed, recovery-focused, and accessible care.
You will collaborate closely with Peer Specialists, whose lived experience of homelessness, addiction, and mental distress strengthens the service. Together, you will co-create pathways to wellbeing that are clinically sound, culturally responsive, and grounded in real-world experience.
Key responsibilities
- Conduct biopsychosocial and risk assessments
- Develop and review recovery-focused care plans
- Deliver evidence-based mental health and addiction interventions
- Respond to acute mental health and addiction crises
- Support access to health, housing and social services
- Collaborate with peer specialists and multidisciplinary teams
- Maintain professional documentation and clinical standards
- Uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in practice
About you
You are a compassionate, skilled nurse who values outreach work and relationship-based care. You thrive in collaborative, community-led environments and are committed to equity, dignity, and social justice.
You will bring
- Registered Nurse with current APC
- Postgraduate qualification or experience in mental health & addictions
- Experience working with people experiencing homelessness
- Knowledge of harm reduction and trauma-informed care
- Strong cultural competence and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Excellent communication and advocacy skills
Closing Date | Ra katinga: 12th January 2026
