Senior Advisor, Iwi and Mori Relations

Our Iwi and Māori Relations tīma are looking for 3 x Kaitohu Matua | Senior Advisors. These positions are full time, permanent opportunities.

The Iwi and Māori Relations team is responsible for providing advice to government and working with Iwi and Māori to support and enhance the Māori Crown relationship. We contribute to the wider government’s effective management of the Māori Crown relationship by providing advice and guidance across Te Puni Kōkiri on how to manage relationships with key stakeholders in the Treaty sector, including supporting engagement with iwi, contributing to key forums and events, and delivering high-quality strategic advice.

Te whai wāhitanga | The opportunity

The Senior Advisor is a rare opportunity to work at the interface between the Crown and Iwi, particularly in the post-settlement space. In this role you will be responsible for shaping and delivering strategic and operational advice to Ministers and Senior Leaders, including briefings, correspondence, work across other government agencies and across our regional teams, support Crown engagement with iwi and key partners, including involvement in forums and key events such as Waitangi Day and the National Iwi Chairs forum.

The role works across changing priorities and evolving contexts, requiring the use of sound judgement, the ability to navigate ambiguity, and a focus on delivering high-quality outcomes as part of a collaborative team environment.

The likely appointment range is $105,100 - $116,777 based on skills and experience. The full grade for this role is $105,100 - $140,132 with a mid-point of $116,777.

For more information about the skills and experience required for this position, please see the job description below.

Mōu | About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

Strong writing skills, the ability to produce clear, concise written advice for Ministers and/or senior leaders

Relationship management experience and exceptional interpersonal awareness

The ability to navigate sensitive conversations with diplomacy and tact

Understanding of machinery of government, including how Ministers, Cabinet and public sector processes operate

Strong critical thinking skills, including identifying issues, risks and providing considered recommendations

A strong interest in navigating Crown-Māori policy perspectives and frameworks

The willingness to understand the Treaty Settlement policy framework

The ability or desire to translate Māori perspectives into organisational goals

Highly adaptable and delivery-focused, able to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and perform in a fast-paced environment

Exercises sound judgement and initiative, working effectively through ambiguity to deliver high-quality outcomes at pace

Tāu e whai ai | What you will get in return

Te Puni Kōkiri is a diverse and rewarding working environment full of passionate kaimahi focused on creating solutions that will help our communities. We are guided by our values of te wero, manaakitanga, he toa takitini and ture tangata.

There is more to life than just work and we encourage our kaimahi to maintain the right balance between mahi and their personal lives. Your whānau is just as important as you, so we're committed to providing incentives and opportunities that help our kaimahi and their whānau to thrive, including:

A range of allowances including childcare, optical, hauora/wellbeing and te reo Māori proficiency

Medical insurance discounts

Flexible working options

In house te reo Māori training

Kaimahi development and career options, including study assistance

Enhanced parental leave provisions

Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development

We are committed to our vision of 'Thriving Whānau' - when whānau are thriving, so do their communities, hapū, iwi and all of Aotearoa. Te Puni Kōkiri leads policy advice to the Government on Māori development, and Iwi and Māori relations with the Crown. Our people are at the heart of the work we do – using our approaches to improve outcomes to, for and with Māori, and to drive our efforts to build an Aotearoa where whānau can all stand, thrive and belong.

Find out more about Our Story

We invite applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We believe that diversity fuels innovation and enriches our collective strength. Your unique perspectives, skills, and heritage contribute to our mission of advancing Māori aspirations and well-being.

Tono mai | Apply Now!

Ka aukati ngā tono hei te Rātapu 5 Hōngongoi 2026 ā te 11.55pm | Applications close on Sunday 5 July 2026 at 11.55pm.

Tukuna mai tau tono ā-ipurangi | Please submit your application online.

Nau mai rā ko ngā tononga i te reo Māori, te reo Pākehā, te reorua rānei | We welcome applications in te reo Māori, English, or both.

Īmēratia ***email_hidden*** me he pātai āu | Email ***email_hidden*** with any pātai.

We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing: ***email_hidden***

Job Details

Reference # 17836

Closes on 05 Jul 2026 23:55

Location(s) Wellington

Expertise Advisor

Job level(s) Senior Advisor

Work type(s) Permanent full-time