Pou Whakahaere | Chief Executive Officer

Tribe Recruitment; Taranaki; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A representative body of an iwi is seeking a Pou Whakahaere to lead strategic operations and support governance. The role involves building relationships with various stakeholders while ensuring a deep understanding of te ao Māori and strong leadership capabilities. This is a chance to impact the well-being and future of the community significantly.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of strategy and finances is important.
• Ability to navigate complex relationships with integrity and care.
• Experience in building and maintaining trusted relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership.
• Implement the Trust’s strategic plan.
• Support governance and lead teams to ensure effective resource use.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial acumen

Relationship management

Cultural understanding of te ao Māori

Job description

Overview

• Lead with Integrity and Heart
• Champion Te Ātiawa Aspirations
• Balance Vision with Practical Delivery

Te Kotahitanga o Te Ātiawa Trust is the representative body of Te Ātiawa (Taranaki), established to manage and grow the iwi’s Treaty settlement assets for the long-term benefit of its people. Guided by values of tika, pono, whanaungatanga and manawanui, the Trust oversees a diverse group of entities spanning housing, tourism, investments, and environmental stewardship, all working toward a future where Te Ātiawa is secure, thriving, and connected.

We are seeking our next Pou Whakahaere to lead Te Kotahitanga o Te Ātiawa.

You will provide strategic and operational leadership, reporting directly to the Board of Trustees. The Pou Whakahaere has responsibility for implementing the Trust’s strategic plan, supporting governance, leading our team, and subsidiaries, and ensuring resources are used wisely for enduring cultural, social, and financial returns. A key responsibility of the Pou Whakahaere is building and maintaining trusted relationships with whānau, hapū, iwi, the Crown and community partners, while ensuring tikanga Māori is woven into every aspect of operations.

We are searching for a leader who can bring people together, inspire confidence, and lead with humility and courage. A strong understanding of strategy and finances is important, and just as vital is your ability to walk comfortably in te ao Māori, uphold the mana of Te Ātiawa, and navigate complex relationships with integrity and care. If you can balance vision with practical delivery, the Pou Whakahaere offers the chance to make a lasting contribution to the wellbeing and prosperity of generations to come.

Applications close 19 October | Me tono mai inaianei

For further information, please get in touch with Russell Spratt on 029 446 3770 OR Orissa Plimmer on 027 285 1461 for a confidential kōrero.

To apply for this vacancy, you MUST be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or have already secured the right to work in New Zealand and therefore hold a valid visa. At the appropriate stage we will request your references, we ask that you do not include them in your CV when applying.

We are the landing place where our people can come to rest upon, a safe space. A Place where excellence and culture are encouraged and ultimately recognized.

Kia tau ai te mauri tū, te mauri ora ki te katoa. Nau mai, tau mai! Vitality and well-being for all. Welcome, settle here!