Community Services and Injury Prevention Co-ordinator

About the organisation

Whānau Āwhina Plunket is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest service for tamariki under five and their whānau. Alongside clinical support, the organisation helps caregivers connect with services that support holistic health, wellbeing, and stronger community connections.

The opportunity

This is a fixed-term, part-time role based in Canterbury, with the assignment running through to 30 June 2027. The schedule is Tuesday to Friday.

The role brings together two streams of work: Community Services coordination and Injury Prevention coordination. About half of the position focuses on strengthening community links, developing partnerships, and supporting volunteers. The other half centres on child safety and injury prevention work that supports tamariki and whānau.

Injury prevention focus

You will work with whānau, community groups, and key stakeholders to promote child safety messages and provide practical support. The role includes planning and delivering injury prevention programmes, leading education sessions, supporting child restraint activities, and building relationships with partners such as NZ Police, road safety coordinators, early childhood providers, and Māori and Pacific community organisations.

Community and equity focus

This role contributes to safer environments for tamariki while also strengthening community connections and supporting fairer outcomes for whānau. A key organisational priority is honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving access to services for priority communities, including Māori, Pacific peoples, young parents, children in state care, Rainbow whānau, and people living rurally. Working alongside the Community Services Manager, you will help ensure services are reaching the communities that need them most.

Working conditions

Because the role involves volunteers and event attendance, occasional weekend work may be required. The hourly rate for this position is $28.95.

About you

This is a people-centred role, so you will need to be confident building relationships both inside and outside the organisation and representing Plunket professionally. Good computer skills are important, as you will use local social media channels to engage with whānau and promote volunteering opportunities.

Experience in community-based work would be helpful, but the key requirement is the ability to ask thoughtful questions, understand the journeys and service needs of parents and caregivers, and turn that understanding into practical action. Strong local networks and the ability to contribute ideas quickly will help you succeed in the role.

You should enjoy forming genuine connections with whānau and be comfortable working in ways that respect Māori and Pasifika cultures. A culturally safe approach is essential, whether that comes from your own identity as Māori or Pasifika or from a strong personal commitment to working with respect, openness, and care.

What the organisation offers

Whānau Āwhina Plunket offers a workplace focused on improving society and making the parenting journey more supportive and fulfilling. The organisation values staff wellbeing and professional development.

Benefits

• Wellbeing support, including a wellbeing day that allows you to use some sick leave proactively to protect your health.
• Retail and fitness discounts, including Fitness Passport access at reduced rates across a wide range of fitness facilities.
• Training and development opportunities designed to strengthen cultural capability and support the organisation’s goals.

Application and checks

This role requires a satisfactory New Zealand Police Vetting check due to the organisation’s commitment to the safety of children and whānau.

For role-specific enquiries, contact the HR team at hr@plunket.org.nz. Applications are to be submitted online and close on 9 July 2026. Applications may be reviewed as they arrive, and the advert could close early if a suitable person is found.

Additional information

The position is fixed term until 30 June 2027, part-time, and may involve some weekend work. The role is based in Canterbury and is scheduled across Tuesday to Friday.

The stated hourly pay is $28.95.

Whānau Āwhina Plunket’s purpose is expressed as: setting the path of wellness in our communities for the early years, for generations to come.