Chief Advisor Quality Assurance - Matauranga Maori

NZ Qualifications Authority; Wellington; On-site; NZD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Generous leave entitlements

Job summary

NZQA seeks a Chief Advisor Quality Assurance - Matauranga Maori to provide strategic leadership in embedding matauranga Māori and Te Ao Māori across our tertiary quality assurance practice. The role works with the Deputy Chief Executive and QA Division leadership to shape regulatory policy, design and delivery with a Māori perspective.

It focuses on equity, akonga Māori, and partnerships with iwi and Maori education organisations.

Qualifications

• Experience in or around the tertiary and vocational education sector with a quality assurance lens.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and specialist thought leadership to embed matauranga Māori across NZQA's tertiary quality assurance practice.
• Advise on regulatory model development to reflect Te Ao Māori perspectives and Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments.
• Lead or support embedding matauranga Māori in quality assurance policy, design, and delivery across NZQA's regulatory landscape.

Skills

Mātauranga Māori

Quality assurance

Regulatory policy

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Chief Advisor Quality Assurance - Matauranga MaoriPoutohutohu Whakau Kounga - Matauranga MaoriProvide strategic and specialist thought leadership to further embed matauranga Maori | te Ao Maori across NZQA's tertiary quality assurance practiceWork in close partnership with existing leaders to advance the embedding of matauranga Maori across the Quality Assurance DivisionProvide advice on the development and evolution of quality assurance models to reflect changing practices, utilising your specific matauranga Maori lens.Whakatairangatia nga kete o te matauranga ki te ao marama! E te tai whakarunga, e te tai whakararo, nau piki mai, nau kake mai ki te Mana Tohu Matauranga o AotearoaMay the baskets of knowledge be brought into the world of light. We welcome one and all to join us at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.NZQA is proud to play a critical role in ensuring New Zealand qualifications are trusted, credible and recognised nationally and internationally. We are seeking an experienced and pragmatic thought leader to join our Quality Assurance Division as Chief Advisor Quality Assurance - Matauranga Maori.Working directly to the Deputy Chief Executive, and part of the Quality Assurance Division leadership team, this is an exciting new opportunity to shape how matauranga Maori and Te Ao Maori perspectives are reflected across regulatory policy, design, and delivery of quality assurance across New Zealand's tertiary education landscape.Drawing on your deep experience in or around the tertiary and vocational education sector (preferably with a quality assurance lens) and the concepts in Te Hono o Te Kahurangi (our Maori quality assurance framework), this is a unique opportunity at the intersection of matauranga maori and the regulatory world. You will support our organisation to implement regulatory activities that strengthen tauira Maori (Maori students) success, enhance the protection and promotion of matauranga Maori across qualifications, and grow relationships with Maori stakeholders, whanau, hapu, and iwi.This is a permanent Wellington-based opportunityMo te turanga | About the roleAs a senior leader, working alongside our Quality Assurance Maori operational team, you'll help to shape and implement quality assurance strategy, translating strategic priorities into coordinated and practical action across the Division; and see great opportunity for further development of Te Hono o Te Kahurangi (our Maori Quality Assurance framework). The role supports system stewardship, influencing settings, standards, and quality assurance approaches so that Maori perspectives on quality education are embedded by design.A core focus is strengthening culturally-responsive quality assurance practices, ensuring equity considerations remain integral to quality assurance policy and implementation, with particular attention to akonga me tauira Maori and in Maori-medium contexts.Connected to our Office of the DCE Maori, a key part of the role in Quality Assurance Division is building trusted relationships across the education sector, including with wananga, iwi, Maori education organisations and other sector partners, ensuring Maori perspectives inform quality assurance. You will use your established networks to broker opportunities for NZQA and Maori to work together to improve outcomes for whanau, iwi and akonga | tauira.In this role on any given day you might be:Providing authoritative, system level advice on the design and performance of matauranga Maori qualifications and quality assurance, to improve outcomes for tauira | Maori studentsWorking in partnership with the Manager, Quality Assurance Maori to lead the integration of matauranga Maori and te ao Maori perspectives across tertiary quality assurance policies, products and services ensuring alignment with NZQA's Te Tiriti o Waitangi statementSourcing and applying both international quality assurance research and indigenous quality assurance practice to understand issues occurring across our wider regulatory responsibilitiesRepresenting NZQA and/or the DCE (as delegated) in internal and external forums and hui, maintaining continuity of kaupapa, strengthening strategic relationships and ensuring consistent leadership presence and messaging.About the teamAs the regulator, NZQA monitors and assures quality of programmes across all non-university tertiary education organisations, and administers the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners that supports the wellbeing and safety of learners across New Zealand.The Quality Assurance Division (QAD) is responsible for maintaining the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF), and setting the regulatory rules that ensure the quality of qualifications and credentials listed on the framework. The NZQCF advances matauranga Maori by recognising Maori knowledge systems within New Zealand's qualifications architecture.We are a small, focused regulatory team. You will have autonomy, but will not work alone - supported by the wider organisation, and in particular connected to the Office of the DCE Maori, the Chief Advisor Matauranga Maori (Assessment) and our Maori staff network | Te Kahui Maori.Why join NZQA?You'll join an organisation committed to professional growth, continuous learning, and building capability across our people. Some of the benefits available to NZQA employees include:Meaningful work - contribute to a trusted and high-quality tertiary education system that supports learners, providers and communities.Flexible working arrangements - including options for working from home and flexible hours.Leave - In addition to the annual leave entitlement, NZQA provides three NZQA Holiday days each year between Christmas and New YearApply nowIf you're an experienced education professional or public service operator, steeped in Matauranga Maori who enjoys working with complex information, influencing quality outcomes, and contributing to important kaupapa, we'd love to hear from you.Applications close 5pm Friday 20 November 2026. We will review applications as they are received and may interview suitable candidates before the closing date.If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Jerry Grafton on: [e-mail] must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand to apply for this role.NZQA is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.