Partnership Delivery Lead

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is seeking a senior specialist to lead the organisation-wide implementation of its new guide for engaging with Māori in project delivery, maintenance and operations. You will drive strategy, support contractors, and ensure compliance with Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.

You will provide trusted advice to senior leaders, embed Te Kete National Standard, and help NZTA partner effectively with mana whenua across multiple regions.

Qualifications

• Strong stakeholder engagement and advisory capabilities required.
• Understanding of infrastructure development, asset management, maintenance and operations.
• Deep knowledge of Te Ao Māori and fluent te reo Māori communication.
• Proven ability to develop effective partnerships with Māori and navigate Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.

Responsibilities

• Lead organisation-wide implementation of NZTA’s guide for engaging with Māori in project delivery and operations.
• Support delivery to meet legislative and Te Tiriti obligations; provide strategic advice to senior leaders.
• Develop and embed a standardised engagement framework (Te Kete National Standard) and measure benefits.
• Represent NZTA in hui and kōrero with iwi and hapū and translate national direction into practice.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Advisory skills

Infrastructure knowledge

Te Ao Māori knowledge

Te reo Māori fluency

Partnership building

Te Tiriti o Waitangi understanding

Change leadership

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

• Lead the organisation-wide implementation of NZTA’s new guide for engaging with Māori in project delivery, maintenance and operations
• Support NZTA and its contractors to deliver on its legislative and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations
• Permanent opportunity based in Auckland / Wellington / Hamilton / Palmerston North / Christchurch

The purpose of this role is to lead and support NZTA’s delivery and asset management business group to deliver their work in a way that meets NZTA’s legal and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, supports the delivery of NZTA’s strategy, and builds enduring relationships with mana whenua.

You will lead the implementation and embedding of a standardised approach to project and programme iwi engagement (Te Kete National Standard), developing the forward work programme, supporting tools and a high-quality change approach that strengthens organisational capability. You will also provide trusted strategic advice to senior leaders, help incorporate Te Kete into relevant transport standards and guidance, and measure and report on the benefits being achieved.

Representing NZTA in hui and kōrero with iwi and hapū will be an important part of the role. Your focus will be on providing clear national direction and ensuring our people are well equipped through a standardised and effective framework to engage and partner effectively with Māori, rather than supporting individual infrastructure projects.

Click here to view the position description.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

To Be Successful In This Role, You Will Bring

• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and advisory skills, with the ability to provide trusted and pragmatic advice to senior leaders.
• An understanding of infrastructure development and delivery, asset management, maintenance and operational environments.
• Strong knowledge of Te Ao Māori along with the ability to fluently communicate in te reo Māori to a broad audience.
• Expertise in developing effective, best-practice partnerships with Māori.
• A strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Crown obligations, Treaty settlement commitments and relevant legislative requirements
• Experience embedding standardised practice at an organisational or system level within a large or complex environment.
• Change leadership experience would be advantageous.

You will also hold a relevant tertiary qualification, or bring equivalent demonstrated experience and expertise gained through professional, iwi, hapū or community leadership pathways.

Ko wai mātou | About us

Te Mātangi – Māori Partnerships is part of Te Waka Kōtuia – Engagement and Partnerships. The team is responsible for supporting the delivery of Te Ara Kotahi | Our Māori Strategy, helping the wider organisation engage effectively with Māori, and building the capability needed to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes for Māori and NZTA.

Rā Katinga | Applications close

4 October 2026

For further information, email: [e-mail]

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.