Lead Secondary Advisor Te Ao Maori

Ministry of Education; Wellington; On-site; NZD 101,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Education in Wellington is seeking a permanent, full-time Lead Secondary Advisor Te Ao Māori to join the Qualifications team within Curriculum, Learning and Qualifications. The role drives Te Ao Māori curriculum work across NZC and NCEA, coordinating with stakeholders and ensuring resources are fit for purpose.

You will collaborate with the Principal Advisor Te Ao Māori and other LSAs, lead Mō tēnei tūranga initiatives, and contribute to ministerials, reports, and sector queries.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and mentoring to achieve outcomes.
• Ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Support qualifications work including NCEA and curriculum projects.
• Develop plans to complete work efficiently and on time.
• May produce products/resources or coordinate contracts with external providers.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Mentoring

Data-driven decision making

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Policy interpretation

Te Ao Māori knowledge

Collaboration

Job description

Help shape the future of education in New ZealandHelp shape the future of Education.We work toshapeaneducationsystem that deliversequitableandexcellent outcomes.Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

About this role

Mō tēnei tūranga Permanent, full-time position Wellington-based.

The Lead Secondary Advisor (LSA) Te Ao Māori will be part of the Qualifications team in the Curriculum, Learning and Qualifications group. You will work closely with the Principal Advisor Te Ao Māori, the other LSA Te Ao Māori, other LSAs from the Qualifications team, and the team's Portfolio Lead. The role will take responsibility for a range of TMoA wāhanga ako and NZC kaupapa ako Māori subjects as part of the secondary qualifications Review and Maintenance Process (RAMP) to update and amend product and resources, so they are fit for purpose.

Key requirements of this role include:

• Support wider qualifications work, including NCEA, and Phase | Tūārere 5 curriculum work involving liaison and collaboration with other Ministry groups, external subject matter experts, peak bodies, and NZQA.
• Develop and carry out plans to complete this mahi in an efficient and timely manner.
• This may mean working on products and resources yourself (in many cases) or helping organize and supervise contracts for other providers where necessary.
• Work closely with other members of the team on the best approach to address the mahi.
• Work constructively with other LSAs and Senior Technical Writers to ensure consistency of products and resources.
• Provide advice to other team members on Te Ao Māori related matters including NZC and TMoA products and resources.
• Assist with the writing of Ministerials, reports, speeches, sector, and public queries etc.

Salary range: $101,296- $122,490 per annum + kiwi saver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here.

About you

To be successful in this role you will have the following capabilities and competencies:

• Demonstrated experience of bringing people together and leading, coaching, and mentoring others to achieve outcomes
• A proven ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, to influence and guide organisational and system-level decision making
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to write clearly for a variety of audiences and communicate complex information simply
• Sound political awareness and ability to navigate government processes and navigate ambiguity in a complex environment
• A commitment to ongoing personal and professional development
• Strong facilitation, leadership, and management skills
• Deep understanding of current pedagogical practice and senior secondary assessment practice, including NCEA, in one or more TMoA wāhanga ako or kaupapa ako Māori NZC subjects.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team

The purpose of Te Poutāhū is to lead the national curricula for Aotearoa New Zealand and associated systems and processes of assessment and aromatawai. We design, develop, and provide curriculum services for teachers, kaiako, leaders, ākonga, their whānau and communities that reflect their identities, languages, and cultures. We bring together curriculum, teaching expertise and evidence for the development, support and review of inclusive curricula, assessment, and NCEA. Our strengths are across te reo Māori, mātauranga Māori, disability, inclusive learning support, and culturally relevant content so that Te Mahau supports learning that is inclusive for all ākonga. The Qualifications team works collaboratively with other Ministry groups, sector leaders, education agencies and providers on secondary qualifications and assessments more broadly to support improvement and changes. This will include drawing on your knowledge of what works for teaching professionals to tailor and customise products, resources, and operational policy to meet the needs of ākonga experiencing the refreshed

Are you ready to make a difference?

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, or anything else you'd like to share. We're keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

For further information, please contact MeganMiller, Manager, NCEA at [e-mail]

Applications close Midnight - Sunday, 15 November 2026.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.