Ākonga Wellbeing and Health Promotion Coordinator

Ākonga Wellbeing and Health Promotion Coordinator

Christchurch, with travel to Timaru Campus
Full Time, Fixed Term (Dec 2026)

• Be a part of transforming lives through education
• Develop Mental Health and Wellbeing tools
• Connect with Ākonga (students) and their communities

The Ākonga Health Promotion Coordinator based at our Christchurch City Campus based will travel to other campuses as required, including our Southern/Timaru Campus. In this role you will work collaboratively with Health Centre and Pastoral Support Department to provide mental health and wellbeing promotion activities to Ara students and contribute positively to their student experience, engagement, and success. As Ākonga Health Promotion Coordinator, you will implement te ao Māori practices and tikanga across the role enhancing mental health and wellbeing across our campuses, including manaakitanga and whanaungatanga.

You will also contribute to identifying and streamlining existing learner mental wellbeing initiatives and using that knowledge to contribute to a robust learner wellbeing approach to reflect both Ara’s strategic goals and the Codes of Practice for Education(Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) as well as other learner related frameworks and initiatives, such as the Framework for Māori Achievement, Disability Action Plan, Pacific Strategy.

This role is responsible for coordinating and facilitating group sessions, resources, and wellbeing campaigns that promote and strengthen mental wellbeing. It responds to the needs of ākonga, building meaningful and trusting connections, and helps to ensure that our mental wellbeing support remains relevant, accessible, and impactful. Ultimately, this role contributes to enhancing the overall learner experience by creating a safe, supportive, and wellbeing-focused environment.

• Tertiary qualification in health, wellbeing, or social service-related field, or equivalent experience in a health education, public health, wellbeing, youth or psychology space.
• Experience in, and knowledge of, promoting mental health and wellbeing
• Knowledge of the education sector in particular equity for Māori, Pacific and Disabled student education, and of equity for underserved communities
• Knowledge of social and cultural issues as they relate to and impact mental health and wellbeing
• Minimum of 2 years’ administrative experience including advanced user of Microsoft Office suite.
• Knowledge of and experience in record keeping meeting statutory and reporting requirements paired with attention to detail.
• Understanding of and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Demonstrates understanding of a variety of wellbeing supports systems and models as it related to diverse communities and populations
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including an articulate, clear and friendly communication style.
• Effective organisational and administration skills
• Proven ability to work and engage with a variety of stakeholders and audiences – in particular Māori, Pasifika, Disabled, Youth, Rainbow, and International (including refugee and migrant)
• Proven experience of using health promotion, health and wellbeing models/frameworks to guide their work– ie.
  
  Te Whare Tapa Whā, Fonofale

Ara Institute of Canterbury is a vibrant and progressive tertiary institute providing world-class, tertiary-level education throughout the Canterbury and Waitaki region. Our talented employees, innovative business collaborators and supportive community partners are passionate about the role they play in our learners' success. Ara is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and delivering services in a manner that responds with excellence to the needs of Māori learners and their whānau, as well as the aspirations of iwi and Māori communities throughout our catchment (including Māori employers).

To deliver effectively on this commitment, Ara recognises the need for a culturally competent and confident workforce vertically and horizontally across our organisation

We accept applications via our online application system. For any other queries, please email Recruitment.nz.