Director, Mori Agribusiness

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua | About the Ministry for Primary Industries

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand’s food and fibre sector to grow as the world’s most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

The Māori Partnerships and Investment business unit drives sustainable, high-value growth in the Māori primary sector. Through strong relationships and targeted investment, the team works alongside Māori producers and partners to unlock opportunities, build capability, and support long-term prosperity across Aotearoa and beyond.

Mo te tūranga | About the role

Reporting to the Deputy Director‑General Māori Partnerships & Investment, the Director Māori Agribusiness is a member of the MP&I Leadership Team and is accountable for the performance of the Māori Agribusiness Directorate and its work programme.

This role provides strategic and operational leadership to advance Māori food and fibre outcomes within the primary sector, building on over a decade of trusted engagement to strengthen partnerships, drive measurable economic impact, and ensure strong stewardship of public funds to support Māori aspirations.

You will lead in a complex system spanning government, iwi, industry and regional stakeholders, requiring influence, cultural competence and delivery capability.

The role is ideally located in Wellington; however other MPI office locations will be considered by arrangement. A full New Zealand driver’s licence and ability to travel domestically is required given the regional coverage of this role.

Key responsibilities include

• As part of the MP&I Leadership team, set and communicate a clear strategic direction focused on economic growth and outcomes for Māori in the primary sector.
• Overseeing a substantial annual investment portfolio with strong governance, clear expectations and alignment to outcomes
• Leading and developing a geographically dispersed team, strengthening leadership capability and building a high‑performing, cohesive culture.
• Continue to strengthen robust frameworks to measure performance, track outcomes and communicate impact clearly.
• Ensuring MPI strategy and policy is informed by reliable intelligence on Māori‑related issues and supporting viable primary sector economic development opportunities.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships across Māori entities, primary sector organisations, government agencies, NGOs and regional partners.

Mōu ake | About you

You will be an experienced, senior leader who brings a well-established track record at a director or equivalent level.

You bring depth of experience navigating both Te Ao Māori and the public sector environment, with the credibility and confidence to operate authentically across iwi, industry and government settings. You understand how to connect priorities, people and systems to enable impact at scale, and can quickly build trust through your existing networks.

The successful candidate will be

• A strategic, delivery-oriented leader with proven success overseeing funding programmes or investment portfolios, translating investment into measurable impact and value‑for‑money.
• A collaborative and culturally grounded influencer with system-level capability, able to build and sustain strong relationships across the Māori primary sector entities (including trusts and incorporations), primary sector organisations, government agencies and regional partners.
• A credible and trusted partner, bringing deep insight into issues affecting Māori agribusiness and a strong understanding of Treaty principles and Crown obligations as they relate to natural resources.
• A people leader who builds strong teams and drives performance in a complex, evolving environment.
• A leader who consistently embeds Te Ao Māori perspectives and tikanga Māori in leadership, decision-making, and engagement.

Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru | Security checks

This role require a New Zealand national security clearance. To be considered, you must meet the eligibility criteria set out below.

CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance

• You must be a New Zealand citizen or hold a New Zealand residence‑class visa (including permanent residence).
• You must have a minimum five (5)‑year background history that can be verified and assessed by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine your suitability for a CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance.

Find out more about the national security vetting process here and access the eligibility self‑check tool at https://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/. If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Additionally, given this position is identified as carrying financial risk, the preferred candidate(s) will be required to satisfactorily pass a credit check.

Me pēhea te tono | To apply

To request an information pack, and for a confidential kōrero about the role, please contact:

• Moana Temel, Kaiwhakahaere, Niche Recruitment | 021 499 902 | ***email_hidden***
• Carl Church, Kaiwhakahaere Matua, Niche Recruitment | 021 166 6441 | [email protected]

To apply, please submit your cover letter and CV by Wednesday, 1 July 2026.