Psychologist
Kerikeri, NZ Kaitaia, NZ Whangarei, NZ
Help shape the future of Education
We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes
Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our ākonga in our education system.
About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga
One permanent, full-time role based in either Kaitaia, Kerikeri or Whangārei, Te Tai Tokerau.
As a Psychologist, you will play a critical role in our region's Learning Support team by doing the following:
- Working collaboratively with a team around the child, including educators, parents, caregivers and whānau, to enhance understanding about the child and their behaviours.
- Collaboratively develop, implement, and monitor an effective personalised learning plan.
- Helping the adults around the child to make changes to the learning environment so that their behaviour can be more effectively managed, and the situation can be stabilised/made safer. This includes supporting the child to develop more pro-social ways of responding, and improve their participation, wellbeing and learning outcomes.
- Facilitating access to wider services and support, in response to individual needs, for example speech and language therapy and local agencies.
- Enhancing inclusive practices in schools and other educational settings.
Salary range: $85,416 - $116,316 per annum + kiwi saver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.
For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here.
About you | Mōhou ake
To be successful you will need:
- Demonstrable knowledge, experience, and skills in supporting children and young people with severe and challenging behaviours.
- An ability and willingness to work in collaborative partnership with other professionals, agencies, families and the sector.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including an ability to sustain productive professional relationships.
- A genuine commitment to evidence-based interventions, which demonstrate inclusive education practice and contribute to raising student achievement.
- Masters-level tertiary qualification, Post-graduate Diploma in Educational Psychology or Clinical Psychology (or equivalent), New Zealand Psychologist Board registration, and a current Practicing Certificate.
- Sensitivity to cultural and ethnic diversity and a commitment to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi..
- The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.
About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake
The Education Services Group provides well-designed, integrated education services that support the impactful and effective operation of education settings to support student achievement and participation. The services help to remove barriers to participation and learning and provide regulatory advice, support and oversight to early learning providers, schools and kura.
The Group has three key priorities for Education Services:
- Practice & Guidance: Managing practice and guidance to improve national coordination and consistency, whilst enabling regional autonomy for education service delivery.
- Integration & Delivery: Providing education support directly to education settings via integrated regional and national services. This includes intervening when necessary to ensure a high standard of operation to support student outcomes and owning key stakeholder relationships to support schooling improvement and stronger outcomes for learners.
- Monitoring & Improvement: Monitoring and advising on improvements to the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of services for achievement and progression, and attendance and participation. This includes monitoring education provider performance against regulations and intervening as required.
Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?
If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.
For further information, please contact Kate Brazier, Service Manager at Kate.Brazier@education.govt.nz
Applications close Midnight – Sunday 3 May 2026.
We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.