Kaupapa Māori Care Coordinator - 12 month Maternity Cover | Dunedin Based

Kaupapa Māori Care Coordinator 
12 month Maternity Cover | Dunedin-based | 0.8 FTE (negotiable)

He mahi manaaki.
Are you a passionate about Māori health and want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of tūroro and whānau navigating the journey of serious illness and end-of-life care?
Otago Community Hospice (OCH) is seeking a Kaupapa Māori Care Coordinator to support our commitment to delivering culturally safe and holistic palliative care services for Māori, Pacific peoples, and their whānau. This is a unique and rewarding role that combines professional healthcare knowledge, cultural support, and whakawhanaungatanga.
 
Mō te tūranga

In this role, you will:

• Provide cultural guidance and advice that reflects Te Ao Māori and Ngāi Tahu tikanga.
• Ensure Māori and Pacific tūroro and their whānau receive specialist palliative care that aligns with their cultural values and wishes.
• Undertake holistic assessments and develop care plans with tūroro and their whānau that reflect their goals and identity.
• Collaborate as part of a skilled interdisciplinary hospice team, based in Dunedin and serving the wider Otago region.
• Support and educate OCH staff to deepen their understanding of Te Ao Māori, tikanga Māori, and culturally safe practice.
• Build and strengthen connections with iwi, hapori Māori, and Māori and Pacific health providers.

Mōu

We are looking for someone who brings:

• A relevant health or social services qualification and current registration (e.g. nursing, social work, allied health etc).
• Understanding of Te Ao Māori, tikanga Māori, and ideally, proficiency in Te Reo Māori.
• Cultural leadership and relationship-building skills.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving equity in palliative care.
• Experience working alongside Māori and Pacific communities, ideally in a health setting.

 Ngā painga

• A role where your cultural expertise is valued and central to the care we provide.
• Supportive, inclusive work environment.
• Opportunities for professional development, supervision, and cultural mentorship.
• The chance to shape service delivery and contribute to system for better Māori health outcomes.

Tono mai

We’d love to hear from you.

To apply or learn more, please contact Louisa Ingham, 027 5332 244.

Applications close: Friday 31 October 2025

Clinically responsible to: Whānau Support Team Coordinator 

Professionally accountable to: Director of Nursing and Clinical Services

Purpose of the position

The purpose of this role is to coordinate care and provide cultural support for tūroro Māori, Pacific peoples, and whānau accessing hospice services. This is achieved through:

• Providing guidance and advice in a way that reflects Te Ao Māori and the tikanga of Ngāi Tahu.
• Incorporating Te Ao Māori, tikanga Māori, and Pacific cultural principles, beliefs, and values into the delivery of hospice care.
• Applying professional knowledge and skill to meet the specialist palliative care needs of tūroro and whānau.
• Undertaking holistic assessments and collaboratively developing care plans that align with the goals and values of tūroro and whānau.
• Participating as an active and integral member of the interdisciplinary hospice team.
• Providing education and support on Te Ao Māori and tikanga to OCH staff and wider health networks.

Functional relationships

• Tūroro  and whānau
• Iwi and hapori 
• Relevant Māori Providers
• OCH Staff
• Primary Palliative Care providers
• Relevant Heath Authorities 
• Relevant Community Organisations

Specific areas of responsibility (criteria for measurement)

1.    Kaupapa Māori Care Coordination

• Conduct culturally appropriate assessments for Māori and Pacific tūroro and whānau referred to the hospice service.
• Provide support and guidance to teams working with Māori and Pacific clients.
• Engage with tūroro and whānau admitted to the Inpatient Unit (IPU), identifying and supporting their goals of care.
• Ensure emerging needs are identified and addressed, referring to managers for complex or high-risk situations.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in the patient’s electronic record (VIP), including care plans.
• Develop and maintain strong, culturally grounded relationships with hospice staff and external Māori and Pacific health services.
• Deliver care that respects personal, cultural, and spiritual identity, aligning with Te Tiriti o Waitangi and principles of cultural safety.

2.   Education and Service Development

• Collaborate with the OCH Education Team to enhance staff cultural competency, specifically in Te Ao Māori, tikanga Māori, and Pacific cultural knowledge.
• Support continuous improvement in service delivery to better meet the needs of tūroro and whānau.
• Educate tūroro and whānau about palliative care in a culturally meaningful and respectful way.
• Contribute to the development and review of OCH policies, procedures, and service initiatives.
• Participate in research and quality improvement projects related to kaupapa Māori and palliative care.

3.    Self-management

• Maintain professional registration and meet any associated requirements.
• Identify personal learning and development needs and actively seek opportunities for growth.
  Participate fully in the OCH performance appraisal process.
• Prioritise workload effectively and apply self-care strategies.
• Attend regular professional supervision (and cultural supervision as required).
  Complete all mandatory training and education as required by OCH.
• Demonstrate self-awareness and manage personal risks to self, others, and the organisation.

4.    Compliance /  Quality / Audit / Risk

• Adhere to all relevant professional standards, codes of conduct, and scope of practice requirements.
• Deliver care in accordance with OCH policies and procedures, and seek guidance if conflicts arise.
• Promote and comply with OCH quality systems, health and safety, and infection prevention and control policies.
• Actively participate in the Māori Advisory Group and contribute to cultural safety initiatives.
• Support and participate in audits, service evaluations, and data collection.
• Report and manage risks appropriately, including incidents, accidents, near misses, and security events.

5.   Communication and team work

• Collaborate effectively with internal and external interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrate OCH values in all interactions, and model effective, culturally responsive communication.
• Participate in planning sessions, team meetings, and service development discussions.
• Provide clear, concise, and culturally appropriate communication in written and verbal formats.

Updated: September (2025)

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant health, social service, or kaupapa Māori discipline.
• Current registration and practising certificate with a recognised health professional body.
• Proven experience in a health or social services role working with Māori and/or Pacific communities.

Desirable

• Experience in palliative care or hospice settings.
• Previous experience working within Māori health services or kaupapa Māori frameworks. 
• In-depth knowledge of tikanga Māori and fluency or strong proficiency in Te Reo Māori and Te Ao Māori.

Attributes and skills

Essential

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Excellent time management, organisation, and prioritisation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to assess needs, coordinate care, and support whānau holistically.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment.
• High degree of self-motivation, flexibility, empathy, and cultural humility.
• Commitment to equity, quality improvement, and culturally safe practice.
• Cultural competence and ability to uphold and enact the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in daily work.

Desirable

• Demonstrated leadership in Māori health or palliative care development.
• Experienced in delivering education and cultural training to individuals or groups.

Other

Essential

• Hold an unrestricted and clean driver’s licence.
• Willingness to travel across the region as required.
• Computer literacy e.g. Word, Excel, electronic patient records etc.

Updated: September (2025)