General Manager Finance

He Herenga Kura; Wellington; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Kaimahi wellbeing

Learning & development

Tikanga Māori training

Birthday leave

Matariki celebrations

Study leave

Job summary

He Herenga Kura seeks a General Manager Finance to lead the financial health of the Trust and its subsidiaries, Poua Ki Raro and Tātai Mokopuna. This hands-on executive role spans strategic advisory and day-to-day financial operations, reporting to the CEO and Board to ensure sustainability and positive whānau outcomes.

The role requires extensive senior finance leadership, Te Tiriti o Waitangi application, and a track record in governance and risk management within the not-for-profit sector; NZ

Qualifications

• At least five years’ experience in a CFO, GM Finance or equivalent senior leadership position.
• At least ten years’ experience in the finance sector in Aotearoa.
• Ability to apply Te Tiriti o Waitangi in work policies and practice.
• Knowledge of WAI 2750 Housing Policy and MAIHI Ka Ora and the National Māori Housing Strategy is desirable.
• Experience building high-performing teams in a multifaceted environment.
• Knowledge of NZ Government Procurement Rules and kaupapa Māori procurement approaches is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial advice to the Chief Executive and Board, and lead budgeting and forecasting.
• Lead finance operations including payroll, accounting, audit and controls.
• Assess financial viability across projects, programmes and acquisitions; manage investments and financial risk.
• Provide governance assurance through reporting, compliance and risk management.
• Lead and develop a high-performing finance team and align mahi with whānau outcomes.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Financial governance

Budgeting & forecasting

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Finance or Accounting

Chartered Accountant (desirable)

Job description

"A sacred connection that unites the people and binds us to the land."

We are looking for a General Manager Finance to lead the financial health of He Herenga Kura Trust and its subsidiaries, Poua Ki Raro and Tātai Mokopuna.

This is a hands‑on executive leadership role spanning strategic financial advice and day‑to‑day financial systems and operations. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will advise the Chief Executive and Board, strengthen financial performance and assurance, and ensure finance supports informed decisions, organisational sustainability and positive outcomes for whānau.

Key responsibilities and outcomes include:

• Provide strategic financial and investment advice to the Chief Executive and Board, and lead budgeting and forecasting.
• Lead finance operations and maintain strong, accurate payroll, accounting, audit and financial control systems.
• Assess financial viability across projects, programmes, property and commercial acquisitions, and manage investments, assets and financial risk.
• Provide governance assurance through high-quality financial reporting, regulatory compliance, robust records and proactive risk management.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing finance team and create clear line of sight between their mahi, organisational priorities and whānau outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with the Board, government agencies, iwi, hapū, marae, funders and other stakeholders.
• Oversee contracting and procurement activity to support affordability and value for money.
• Apply Te Tiriti o Waitangi in finance policy, practice and decision‑making.

Strong financial stewardship enables He Herenga Kura to sustain housing and social support services, invest responsibly and direct resources where they can make the greatest difference for whānau. This role contributes to all four whānau outcomes:

• Whānau live in safe, healthy and affordable homes.
• Whānau confidently uptake pathways to secure and sustainable living.
• Whānau living options meet their individual, collective and cultural needs.
• Whānau are actively involved in community life.

Ko wai koe | About you

You will be a senior finance leader who combines strong technical and commercial capability with sound judgement, integrity and a practical, hands‑on approach. You will understand that good financial leadership in He Herenga Kura is ultimately about enabling sustainable outcomes for whānau.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• At least five years’ experience in a CFO, GM Finance or equivalent senior leadership position and at least ten years’ experience in the finance sector in Aotearoa.
• Proven senior finance experience across financial compliance, budgeting and strategic planning.
• Ability to apply Te Tiriti o Waitangi in work policies and practice.
• Understanding of WAI 2750 Housing Policy and Services Kaupapa Inquiry and MAIHI Ka Ora - the National Māori Housing Strategy.
• Experience building high‑performing teams in a multifaceted and demanding environment.
• Sound knowledge of government direction and policy priorities, particularly housing and social responsibility, and the ability to apply these in a not‑for‑profit context.
• Political astuteness and well‑developed senior networks.
• Knowledge of New Zealand Government Procurement Rules, sector purchasing principles and kaupapa Māori procurement approaches is desirable.
• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting or a related field. Chartered Accountant registration, or progress towards registration, is desirable.

At He Herenga Kura our purpose is to ensure whānau in Te Whanganui ā Tara have a safe place to call home and the support they need to thrive.

We are a kaupapa Māori organisation with over 50 years of service to our communities. Our mahi is grounded in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, kotahitanga and rangatiratanga. These uara guide how we work with one another and how we walk alongside whānau - strengthening connections, supporting wellbeing and helping create flourishing futures.

We provide a wide range of housing and social support services tailored to the needs of whānau and rangatahi. Māori and non‑Māori whānau can access our support.

When you join He Herenga Kura, you will be part of an organisation that invests in its kaimahi and the mahi they do for whānau. Our offer includes:

• Flexible working arrangements, where the requirements of the role allow.
• A strong focus on kaimahi hauora and wellbeing.
• Dedicated learning and development for all kaimahi.
• Opportunities to strengthen capability in tikanga Māori, te reo Māori and kaupapa Māori practice.
• A workplace where the connection between your mahi and outcomes for whānau matters.
• Birthday leave.
• Matariki and Te Wiki o te Reo Māori celebrations.
• Study and learning and development leave.

Our recruitment process

We will review and shortlist applications as they are received and may interview suitable candidates throughout the advertising period. He Herenga Kura reserves the right to appoint to this role before the advertised closing date, so we encourage you to apply early.

Our recruitment process

He Herenga Kura is committed to a fair, accessible and evidence‑based attraction and selection process. If you require an adjustment or support to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

Appointment will be subject to satisfactory pre‑employment checks relevant to this senior financial leadership role, including identity and right‑to‑work verification, references, qualification verification, conflict of interest declarations, and other approved financial probity and role‑related integrity checks.