About Te Āhuru Mōwai
Te Āhuru Mōwai is the largest Māori-owned Community Housing Provider in Aotearoa. We manage and care for over 950 homes across Porirua, Tawa, Mana and Kāpiti, delivering warm, dry, affordable homes and supporting whānau wellbeing.
Our kaupapa is grounded in tikanga Māori and guided by the values and aspirations of Ngāti Toa Rangatira. We are a Tier 1 reporting entity with an independent Board and a strong commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Health & Safety Manager to provide strategic leadership and practical guidance across all Te Āhuru Mōwai operations and worksites.
This role is responsible for embedding health and safety best practice across the organisation — from contractor onboarding and site assurance to system audits, risk management, and Board reporting. You will work closely with kaimahi, contractors, and leaders to strengthen a proactive, zero-harm safety culture.
Key Responsibilities
Health & Safety Leadership
- Provide visible, values-led leadership that embeds health and safety across all levels of the organisation.
- Champion a strong safety culture and zero-harm mindset across kaimahi, contractors, and worksites.
- Provide specialist, practical health and safety advice to managers, teams, and contractors.
- Promote meaningful worker participation in health and safety matters.
- Represent Te Āhuru Mōwai at internal and site-based health and safety meetings.
- Communicate emerging risks, trends, and issues to leaders and stakeholders.
Contractor & Worksite Safety Management
- Lead assurance activities across all worksites, including property maintenance and new build projects.
- Oversee contractor onboarding, ensuring appropriate competencies, certifications, and health and safety plans are in place.
- Ensure hazards, incidents, and near misses are reported, investigated, and addressed promptly.
- Ensure contractor compliance with Te Āhuru Mōwai health and safety policies and contractual requirements.
- Support the organisation’s go local procurement strategy, including engagement with Ngāti Toa and Māori trades.
Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement
- Develop, implement, and monitor the annual organisational Health and Safety Plan.
- Provide strategic advice and guidance to the Senior Leadership Team.
- Regularly review the effectiveness of health and safety initiatives and drive continuous improvement.
- Coordinate periodic external audits to provide independent assurance of compliance and system effectiveness.
Systems, Policies & Risk Management
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, standards, and codes of practice.
- Develop, review, and maintain health and safety policies, procedures, and systems.
- Lead internal audit programmes and support managers to address non-compliance.
- Oversee the identification, assessment, and management of health and safety risks.
- Maintain SHEQ components of the organisational Risk Register.
- Develop and maintain a Critical Risk Framework and provide assurance reporting to the Board.
- Support implementation and use of the organisation’s health and safety management system.
Reporting & Performance
- Prepare and present clear, accurate, and transparent health and safety reports.
- Establish reporting frameworks that support informed decision-making.
- Escalate significant risks and incidents to the Chief Executive or Chief Operating Officer.
- Ensure management and the Board have visibility of performance, risks, and compliance status.
Stakeholder & Tenant Focus
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with staff, contractors, and external partners.
- Ensure tenant wellbeing, rights, and safety are respected during all property-related work.
- Provide responsive, professional support to colleagues seeking health and safety guidance.
Compliance & Professional Practice
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including:
- Health and Safety at Work Act and associated regulations
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act
- Maintain professional registration and ongoing CPD (e.g. NZISM, IOSH, HASANZ-recognised bodies).
Other Duties
- Provide health and safety advice across the organisation as required.
- Support occasional weekend or community events.
- Undertake other duties as delegated by the CEO or COO.
What You’ll Bring
- A champion of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality for the group
- Working knowledge of NZ regulatory requirements, best practice H+S processes and legislation
- Good technical abilities in databases, H+S systems, Microsoft office suite
- Leadership experience and competence
- Experience in risk mitigation
- Proven capability in achieving health and safety performance improvement.
- The ability to influence and persuade.
- Demonstrates problem solving skills and use of initiative.
- Demonstrates a high level of Emotional Intelligence.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills ability to communicate on all levels.
- Cultural Awareness and respect for other people
Qualifications
- A tertiary and/or professional qualification in Health + Safety and/or Management
- A minimum of 3 - 5 years generalist health and safety experience, preferably in a similar or larger sized organisation
- Full Drivers Licence is essential.
Why Join Us?
- Purpose-driven organisation making a real difference for whānau
- Māori-led, values-based workplace
- Opportunity to influence safety outcomes at scale
- Supportive leadership and strong community focus
Apply now with your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the role.
