Manager - Community Engagement and Partnerships

New Zealand Government; Auckland; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks' annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Career development

Job summary

Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities is seeking a Manager – Community Engagement and Partnerships to lead a high-performing team that strengthens relationships with communities and key regional stakeholders across the Auckland region. You will guide regional engagement, community development, and placemaking strategies, ensuring alignment with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and sector governance.

Based in one of our South Auckland offices, the role requires travel around the Auckland region and

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading highly skilled management teams in a demanding environment.
• Extensive engagement with Auckland communities and regional stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in engagement, community development or similar roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team delivering regional engagement and community development strategies.
• Provide strategic advice to identify and prioritise key regional relationships.
• Collaborate with multiple Kāinga Ora teams and external partners to improve engagement effectiveness.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Emotional intelligence

Education

IAP2 or equivalent engagement qualification

Tools

NZ Public Sector governance

Job description

Te whiwhinga mahi - Our opportunity

• Empower communities by shaping meaningful relationships and local partnership
• Provide strategic support to identify and prioritise key regional relationships
• Immediate start, permanent position

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the way we connect with communities on a strategic level, and to influence our programmes through your depth of regional knowledge and understanding. As Manager – Community Engagement and Partnerships, you will lead a high performing team dedicated to strengthening relationships with communities and key regional stakeholders. In this role, you'll lead a team that engages with community stakeholders to better understand their needs and aspirations, and supports key Kāinga Ora engagement and community development activities. Working closely with the Regional Director, you’ll provide strategic advice to identify and prioritise key regional relationships, ensure risks and opportunities are well managed, and contribute to the creation of Regional Plans that genuinely reflect community needs and aspirations. You’ll oversee the delivery of regional engagement, community development and placemaking strategies, while monitoring and continuously improving engagement effectiveness in partnership with national subject matter experts. You will also collaborate with Te Kurutao Regional Managers to ensure an integrated approach to iwi and hapū engagement, and offer valuable insight to support housing supply planning. Success in this role will rely on your ability to build strong relationships across Kāinga Ora teams—including Customer Operations, Communications, and Housing Delivery—while engaging confidently with local and central government, NGOs, and community groups. Based in one of our South Auckland offices, this role will be working across multiple offices (and includes Newmarket, Mangere, Otara, Manukau and Takanini).

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu - What you will bring

• A wealth of experience leading highly skilled, high performing and engaged management and professional teams in a multi-faceted and demanding environment
• Knowledge and experience working collaboratively with the wider Auckland community, coming from a position of mana and with existing networks in place and a sound understanding of the region
• Engagement qualifications such as IAP2 or equivalent, together with demonstrated experience in engagement, community development or a similar role
• A sound understanding of Aotearoa's social housing and property sectors, coupled with an interest in public sector structure, governance, processes and systems
• You'll role model our partnership obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and demonstrate a high emotional intelligence with empathy, courage and resilience.
• As this role requires travel around the Auckland region, you'll hold a full and current New Zealand driver licence

Nōu te rourou - What's in it for you?

We offer competitive salaries, five weeks' annual leave and a benefits package including a range of insurances, flexible working arrangements and career development. These benefits are described in more detail here https://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz/a-great-place-to-work/benefits. As a Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities employee, we want to make sure you have all the tools and support you need. We want to ensure you are healthy and have work-life balance. We also want to support and grow your personal and career development through on-the-job learning, training courses, secondments and study opportunities.

Mō mātou - Our Organisation

At Kāinga Ora, ours is the important responsibility of transforming New Zealand’s housing choices, outcomes and the entire housing sector by creating homes and communities that allow New Zealanders to thrive. What is exciting about working for Kāinga Ora is getting the chance to make a real and positive impact on New Zealanders’ lives. With skills, planning and purposeful action, our people are creating the homes and neighbourhoods that will build the future of Aotearoa. We are passionate about transforming New Zealand for the better. That includes being a trusted partner for Māori and iwi, protecting and enabling their rights, interests and aspirations under the guidance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Ō tātou uara - Our values

• Manaakitanga – People at the Heart
• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Whanake – Be Bold

Applications close on Wednesday 16 September 2026 at 11:55pm.

We value diversity and are committed to working with each other and our customers in an inclusive and respectful way. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and appreciate the richness of experience that your point of difference brings to the organisation.