Iwi Strategy & Partnerships Architect

DOC; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 126,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Supportive team environment

Job summary

DOC is seeking an Iwi Strategy and Partnerships Business Partner in Wellington to strengthen engagement with Māori across Aotearoa and support strategic partnerships delivering shared conservation outcomes.

You will advise on Treaty partnerships, help design engagement strategies, and work with iwi, Māori enterprises and networks to build trust and effective collaboration across government and communities.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Crown-Māori relationships, Treaty settlements, and their practical application.
• Demonstrated success building and sustaining strategic partnerships that deliver shared outcomes.
• The ability to move confidently between strategy and delivery, providing advice while also helping teams put plans into practice.
• Commercial awareness and experience working with iwi organisations, Māori businesses or other partnership-based initiatives.
• Experience in communications, engagement, partnership development or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of te ao Māori, tikanga Māori, and mātauranga Māori.
• Excellent strategic advisory, analytical, and written communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building, facilitation, and influencing skills.
• An understanding of government processes, machinery of government, and the broader Māori-Crown relationship context.
• The ability to influence senior leaders, navigate complexity, and build trust across diverse stakeholders.
• Sound judgement, cultural awareness, and a commitment to mana-enhancing engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice on Treaty partnerships, Māori engagement and stakeholder relationships.
• Support leaders to develop and maintain trusted relationships and strategic partnerships with iwi, Māori enterprises, Māori networks and philanthropic organisations.
• Advise on communications and engagement approaches that resonate with Treaty partners, Māori communities and broader audiences across Aotearoa.
• Support the design and delivery of engagement strategies that strengthen trust, credibility and long-term relationships.
• Support honourable Treaty partnerships through constructive engagement, early issue resolution and mana-enhancing ways of working.
• Provide analysis and advice on Treaty implications, risks, opportunities and emerging issues within Public Affairs programmes and initiatives.
• Designing and delivering workshops, coaching and capability-building activities that help our people engage confidently and effectively with Māori audiences.
• Acting as a conduit between Public Affairs and Iwi Strategy & Partnerships to ensure consistent, high-quality advice and practice.

Skills

Te Tiriti o Waitangi understanding

Strategic partnerships

Advisory and influencing

Māori engagement

Job description

DOC is seeking an Iwi Strategy and Partnerships Business Partner in Wellington to strengthen engagement with Māori across Aotearoa and support strategic partnerships delivering shared conservation outcomes.

You will advise on Treaty partnerships, help design engagement strategies, and work with iwi, Māori enterprises and networks to build trust and effective collaboration across government and communities.