Housing Support Manager (Kaitaia)

Role overview

Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities is seeking a Housing Support Manager based in the Kaitaia office for a fixed-term or secondment arrangement of 12 months. In this role, you will work closely with a customer portfolio and their whānau to build trusted, long-lasting relationships and help ensure their housing and wellbeing needs are supported as those needs evolve.

The position involves working with customers who have low to medium support needs, including situations where behaviour may be challenging. You will need confidence in handling difficult, high-stakes conversations with customers and stakeholders when required.

You will regularly visit customers in their Kāinga Ora homes and may also attend meetings with key stakeholders to keep the right support and services in place for customers and their whānau. The role requires the ability to travel over longer distances within the surrounding region.

You will also be responsible for supporting tenants with rent arrears and debt collection or recovery activity.

What the role involves

• Build strong and ongoing relationships with customers and their whānau.
• Support housing and wellbeing outcomes for customers whose needs may change over time.
• Work with low and medium needs customers, including managing disruptive behaviour where necessary.
• Use tact and confidence in difficult conversations with customers and stakeholders.
• Visit customers in their homes and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to maintain support plans.
• Travel throughout the local region as part of the job.
• Handle rent arrears and contribute to debt recovery efforts.

What you need to bring

• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to connect with people from many different backgrounds.
• Experience de-escalating emotional situations and identifying the reasons behind customer issues.
• Comfort and capability in managing rent arrears and debt recovery work.
• Good technical confidence and the ability to learn new systems and tools quickly.
• Experience in tenancy, emergency housing, or social housing would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of the Residential Tenancy Act would be an advantage.
• A genuine commitment to supporting people with complex housing and wellbeing needs.
• Strong cultural awareness, especially when working with Māori and Pasifika communities.
• A current full clean New Zealand driver licence, as regional travel is required; a pool vehicle is provided.

What Kāinga Ora offers

The organisation offers competitive pay, five weeks of annual leave, and flexible working arrangements. Employees are also supported with the tools and assistance needed to stay healthy, maintain work-life balance, and grow their careers.

About the organisation

Kāinga Ora works at the centre of Aotearoa New Zealand’s housing system, helping shape the way customers live now and in the future. The organisation is focused on delivering better outcomes through ongoing transformation and improvement.

The transformation agenda centres on three priorities: building a high-performing organisation that delivers quality housing for future generations; supporting tenants with warm, dry, well-maintained homes and the right wraparound support; and enabling people to thrive through simpler processes, modern technology, and opportunities to learn and develop.

Guided by its values, the organisation works collaboratively, keeps customers at the centre, and continuously challenges itself to improve. The workplace is described as one where people are valued and supported, with fair pay and flexible ways of working.

Values

• Manaakitanga – People at the Heart
• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Whanake – Be Bold

Application information

The position description and application process are available through the organisation’s careers site. All applicants, including current employees, must apply through the stated online process. For questions about the role, the recruitment team can be contacted by email.

Applications close on Wednesday, 1 July 2026 at 11:55pm.

Diversity and inclusion

The organisation values diversity and is committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way with both colleagues and customers. Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged, and the organisation recognises the value that different experiences and perspectives bring.

Additional role information

This is an office-based role in Kaitaia and is fixed term or secondment for 12 months.