Kaiāwhina workforce

The Health Quality & Safety Commission is a key stakeholder in the development of the Kaiāwhina Workforce Action Plan (2015/20), leading development and completion of the plan’s quality and safety actions.

The term kaiāwhina describes non-regulated roles in the health and disability sector. This includes community support, disability support, mental health and addictions support, primary care assistance, public health assistance, hospital orderlies and allied health roles such as allied health assistants and dental assistants. The term does not replace the specific title roles, for example: health care assistant, orderly, diversional therapist, mental health support worker.

Kaiāwhina are an essential part of the New Zealand health and disability sector workforce. It's vital they are supported to achieve their full potential as members of the inter-professional team.

This section of the website provides information for the kaiāwhina workforce including links to the code of rights, service standards, legislation and regulations which kaiāwhina are required to meet.