Specialist Case Manager at Wise Group in Tauranga, New Zealand

We’re growing again, and we’re looking for practitioners who bring sound judgement, disciplined practice, and confidence working with complexity.

Summary
At The People’s Project, our work continues to evolve as we strengthen how Housing First is applied in Aotearoa New Zealand. We work alongside people experiencing homelessness through relationship-centered practice, sound judgement, consistency, strong system navigation, and a focus on sustainable housing outcomes.

If you have experience in mental health, addiction, housing, or social services and can combine professional warmth with strong decision-making and consistency under pressure, this could be the role for you.

Who we are | Mō mātou
At The People’s Project, we partner with people to make homelessness in Tauranga rare, brief, and non-recurring. Guided by Housing First, we support people into housing quickly and then walk alongside them to build the foundations for sustained wellbeing.

We are a committed team working alongside landlords, health services, and community to create lasting change.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people are respected, safe, and able to be themselves. This includes embracing cultural identity, lived experience, and diversity in all its forms. We know that strong outcomes are built through different perspectives, and we actively work to ensure our practice is inclusive, non-judgmental, and grounded in equity.

The opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi
As a Specialist Case Manager, your mahi will focus on supporting people to access and sustain housing while navigating complex, intersecting needs. This role reflects the continued growth of our service and the strengthening of our Housing First practice. You’ll be working 40 hours per week in Tauranga, Monday to Friday with flexible start/finish times between 7am-4:30pm and is expected to start in early to mid-January 2027. This role aligns with the Social Worker pay spine.

As our teams evolve, we are strengthening capability across several focus areas:

Complex Needs - Health and System Navigation
Supporting people with significant and enduring needs to navigate health and social systems.
Housing Pathways
Working across the housing system including private rental markets, landlords, and Kāinga Ora to secure and sustain homes.
Reintegration
Walking alongside people as they transition from housing instability into sustained, secure housing.
Community and Whānau Connections
Strengthening relationships, building connections, and supporting people to sustain tenancies and reduce isolation.

What you’ll do | Ō mahi

• Meet people where they are in the community, in public spaces, or in their homes
• Build trusting, respectful relationships grounded in mana and dignity
• Co-create housing and wellbeing plans
• Work collaboratively with landlords, health providers, and social services
• Navigate and work across systems (including MSD, Kāinga Ora, ACC, and health services) to remove barriers and advocate for equitable outcomes
• Support people to sustain tenancies and remain connected in their communities

What we offer | Ā mātou ratonga

• Increased KiwiSaver contributions
• Fifth week of annual leave after 12 months
• Two paid wellbeing days per year
• $250 HealthNow card for you and your whānau

About you | Mōu
You bring professional warmth, sound judgement, and disciplined practice. You demonstrate emotional regulation, consistency under pressure, clear professional boundaries, and strong systems navigation.

You value diversity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice, and understand the importance of working in ways that uphold equity and mana. You bring a non-judgemental approach and are able to work respectfully alongside people of all identities and backgrounds.

At The People’s Project, we believe everyone deserves a place to call home and a sense of belonging. Our mahi is grounded in mana, equity, and walking alongside people without judgement. We are committed to making homelessness in Tauranga rare, brief, and non-recurring, and we are looking for people who genuinely connect with this kaupapa.

The People's Project is part of the Wise Group. For more information, visit our websites www.wisegroup.co.nz and thepeoplesproject.org.nz.

Position Description: https://www.wisegroup.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TPP_Specialist-Case-Manager.pdf

Closing date 16 November 2026. We will be shortlisting while the advert is open.

Contact: Please contact Wendy Grant (Team Leader) on 027 210 7121 wendy.grant@thepeoplesproject.org.nz if you have any questions.

All new appointees require background checking. Under the requirements of the Children's Act 2014, new employees that are identified as coming under this act are required to undergo further safety checks as part of the recruitment process. Note: The Criminal History Check is Exempt from The Clean Slate Act. Therefore, the

Clean Slate Act does not apply to this position. Please declare any offences (even outside 7 years) in your application.