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Posted 01 August, 2026

Multisystemic Therapist - Auckland

Kia Puāwai
Auckland, AUK, NZ Full Time
Reference: 9dbe43c96c19291b

Job Description

About Kia Puāwai We are a tangata Tiriti NGO which specialises in providing therapeutic services for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau who have complex behaviour and/or mental health needs. Our innovative approach combines Western evidence-based models with mātauranga Māori and Pasifika knowledge. We work in a trauma informed way that acknowledges the impacts of colonisation for tangata whenua and indigenous peoples of Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, including how and why members of these communities may require our services. Our organisational tikanga: aroha, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and wairuatanga help us to define what best practice is for working with tangata whenua in Aotearoa. As a tangata Tiriti organisation, we are committed to meeting our obligations to He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We strive to deliver equitable outcomes through the designing and delivery of effective and appropriate services for tangata whenua and Pasifika. We have over 160 staff and 20 caregivers supporting tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau across Te Tai Tokerau, greater Tāmaki, Waikato, Te Moana a Toi, Te Matau a Māui, and the lower areas of Te Ika o Māui and Te Wai Pounamu. To find out more about Kia Puāwai, visit www.kiapuawai.nz Flexible working environment Career progression and professional development opportunities in both Western and indigenous knowledge bases. 24/7 senior leadership support, practice support from a team of professionals with a wide range of experience A comprehensive orientation and induction programme, including noho marae. Paid birthday leave This role is covered by the social worker pay equity. Remuneration will be decided after consultation with you regarding your experience. Are you passionate about helping change the lives of families and children in your community? Are you interested in using an ecological model to reduce youth offending and other challenging behaviour? Are you interested in implementing an evidence-based programme that is designed to prevent youth involvement with the justice system? We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated therapist to deliver our Multisystemic Therapy (MST) Service in the Auckland region, who wants to empower rangatahi and whānau by creating strength-based behaviour change. This is a fulltime role, with a rostered on-call component, and requires flexibility to meet the needs of our clients. This role's pay scale aligns with the 2023 social worker 'pay equity spine'. For more information, please review this link. Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an evidence-based in-home intervention for the treatment and management of offending and other high-risk behaviours in rangatahi. You will work intensively with each young person's ecology including, whānau, the school, community and peers to improve behaviours and sustain change with an average of 2 sessions per week over 3-5 months. Through this model, you will seek to sustain and strengthen home placements, reduce offending, maintain engagement (or re-engage) in education or training and improve social interaction skills. Comprehensive training in this evidence-based model will be provided to the successful candidate. What you will do Provide direct clinical treatment using the MST treatment model and principles. Conduct a thorough assessment of the client and family: gather information on behaviours of concern and strengths in the family and their ecology to inform conceptualisation of the problem behaviours. Continuously work to engage the primary caregiver, family members, supports, and community agency staff Dedicate time to weekly case planning and evaluation of case progress, with ongoing support from your supervisor and team members. Receive regular training, professional development, supervision, and consultation activities designed to help you acquire extensive clinical skills within the MST treatment model. To be considered for this role, you will need: Bachelors/Master's degree in counselling, social work, psychology, psychotherapy, or other related health field. A registered health professional under the HPCA Act, or Social Work registration. Experience working with complex issues and challenges within the multiple system that surround rangatahi. Ability to build strong relationships with peers and stakeholders Have a full and clean New Zealand driver's licence Undergo Ministry of Social Development (MSD) check and police vetting Uphold the mana of our organisation through tikanga Māori in all interactions. Have a strong sense of whānau values. A passion for working with tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau. Knowledge and understanding about the impacts of colonisation for tangata whenua, and for Aotearoa New Zeland. Ability and willingness to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Please note that we review applications as we receive these and we can remove the advert before the closing date if we find a suitable candidate. Please note the official title of the role is Multisystemic Therapist. Position Description: please request aposition description from ***************@kiapuawai.nz Contact: If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Bex Silver at **********@kiapuawai.nz We welcome and encourage diversity and inclusion in our workforce and adhere to best practice equal employment opportunity principles in all aspects of our recruitment and our ways of working. Kia Puāwai is Rainbow Tick accredited. #J-18808-Ljbffr

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