Family Whanau Peer Support Worker, South Island Eating Disorders Service

• Hillmorton Hospital, Christchurch
• Fixed Term part time (20 hours per week), to 30 June, 2026
• Brand new role aimed to improve the experience for tangata whai ora and their families

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

As a Family Whanau Peer Support Worker, you will connect with families and whanau of tangata whai ora who are in treatment with the South Island Eating Disorders Service. You will utilize your personal lived experience of supporting someone with an eating disorder and their journey towards wellbeing to inspire other families and whanau as they support their family and whanau member in their own journey to wellbeing.

This is a new role which is aimed to improve the experience for tangata whai ora and their families and whanau as they support their family/whanau member on their treatment journey through our service.

The role will act as a bridge between clinicians and families and whanau to improve communication and clinical outcomes. Pathways to care and access to care for tangata whai ora and their families and whanau will improve, and this will have a beneficial effect on their experience while they are in the service.

Families and whanau have an important role to play in the treatment and recovery for people who have an eating disorder. This role is a first in New Zealand for services specialising in the treatment of eating disorders and is an exciting opportunity to explore and develop ways to enhance the relationships between families and whanau and the treating team, with a view to improving and maximising outcomes for tangata whai ora.

Given the important role families and whanau play in supporting their family member and their direct involvement in treatment we anticipate they will feel supported while they walk alongside their family whanau member.

About the Team/Service/ Location

Our clinical team is a multidisciplinary team providing evidence-based treatment to tangata whai ora who have an eating disorder. We offer inpatient treatment through our ward, Whangai Aroha, as well as community based treatment. We are a regional service with responsibilities for supporting clinicians throughout the South Island in providing care to people who have an eating disorder.

About you

You'll bring your own knowledge and experience of supporting someone with an eating disorder to the role, and we ask that you tell us about your journey in your cover letter.

• A willingness to complete any relevant education or qualifications
• A commitment to on-going self-development
• Experience and willingness to work effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, especially Māori and Pasifika communities and their whānau
• A willingness to work alongside clinicians in a constructive and positive way to support the journey of tangata whaiora and their whanau
• Skilled in facilitating groups or have a passion to learn these skills
• Be a positive and encouraging person with the ability to role model how to move forward supporting this journey to wellbeing
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion
• Ability to organise and plan workload
• Must have a current full New Zealand driver's licence

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. 

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by Friday 21st November. If you have any questions about the role, please contact <manager name and email>

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.