Counsellor | Flexible Office Location - New Zealand

Job Description

4 positions

Permanent (start May 2026)

3 x Full-Time 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week) and 1 x Part-Time 0.5 FTE (20 hours per week)

Based in any Te Kura tari (office): Wellington, Palmerston North, Masterton, New Plymouth, Hastings, Rotorua, Gisborne, Wairoa, Tauranga, Hamilton, Auckland, Whangarei, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill or Queenstown

Ko wai mātou | About Us 

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura) is New Zealand's largest school with a roll of up to 24,000 ākonga (students) at any point of time. We provide personalised and authentic learning programmes through distance education from early childhood to NCEA Level 3, including to young adult and adult learners. Our ākonga are at the centre of all we do. Our vision is to enable our ākonga to achieve their educational and personal goals, empowering them to become engaged and contributing members of their communities. Ki te tī, ki te tā, ki te katoa – Anytime, anywhere, anyone. 

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this position

As a Counsellor at Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura), you will support the wellbeing of ākonga (students) and whānau (family). This involves assisting ākonga to navigate the emotional, social and psychological challenges that can impact their learning and wellbeing. You will provide a safe, confidential space where ākonga feel heard, understood and supported. You will help ākonga build resilience, develop coping strategies and strengthen their sense of identity and belonging, alongside working collaboratively, with whānau, kaiako and support services to ensure students mental health needs are met in a holistic and culturally responsive way.

E pa ana ki te tīma | About the Counselling Team

The counselling team provides online counselling service for referred ākonga throughout Aotearoa. As well as working directly with ākonga, you will be providing specialist guidance and collaborating with other Te Kura staff as well as external services to enhance outcomes for ākonga hauora, improve engagement and overcome barriers to learning.

Ko koe tēnei | About you 

To be successful in this role you will need be a qualified counsellor, who cares about improving ākonga wellbeing, is culturally responsive and keen on enhancing counselling practice.

All Te Kura Counsellors must be members of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors and receive regular clinical supervision.

Ngā Uara o Te Kura | Our Values 

At Te Kura, our values shape how we do things every day, guiding our decisions and actions to support not only ākonga but also the mahi and relationships that make this possible: 

• Manaaki | How We Show Up To manaaki is to uplift the mana of ourselves and others — showing respect, generosity, and care. 

• Whanaungatanga | How We Team Whanaungatanga is about building relationships through shared experiences and working together, creating a strong sense of belonging. 

• Tika | How We Practise Tika means being just, fair, and direct. We act truthfully and appropriately in all we do. 

• Ākonga at the Centre Our ākonga are always at the heart of our efforts, guiding our actions and decisions. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply:  

If you've nodded your head whilst reading this and thought ‘this is me!' click that apply button, we want to hear from you!    Applications must be lodged via our career's portal, and you must have the right to reside or work in New Zealand.   

E hiahia mōhio anō ana koe? | Like to find out more?     

For more information, check out the position description at the top of the page (link will be orange).

For additional details, view the position description at the top of the page or contact Eugene Davis, Team Leader Counselling Service.

If you encounter any issues during the application process, please email jobs@tekura.school.nz

Applications close at 11.59pm on Friday, 8 May 2026