Pouwhakarite | Māori Strategy Support Advisor

The University of Auckland; Auckland; On-site; NZD 77,101 - 88,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

5 weeks annual leave

Employer superannuation 6.75%

Career development programmes

Discounted car parking

Parental leave allowance

Childcare support

Job summary

The University of Auckland invites applications for a fixed-term full-time Pouwhakarite in Pūtahi Manawa. Based at Grafton Campus, the role supports the Co‑Director Māori and leadership team, coordinating Māori outreach, education, workforce development and the annual summer research programme, with travel across Aotearoa NZ and occasional after-hours work.

We seek someone with deep understanding of Te Ao Māori, strong relationship-building skills with researchers, communities and health

Qualifications

• Significant experience working with Māori stakeholders and communities.
• Strong understanding of equity issues in New Zealand for Māori.
• Thorough understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.
• Good knowledge of tikanga and te reo Māori.
• Proven project and event leadership experience.
• Ability to work autonomously and under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support Co-Director Māori and leadership team in all duties.
• Plan and coordinate Māori outreach, education and engagement activities.
• Lead the annual Māori summer research programme.
• Manage budgets and event logistics within allocated budgets.
• Build relationships with Māori stakeholders and partner organisations.
• Represent the centre at events nationwide.

Skills

Māori stakeholder engagement

Project leadership

Event planning

Relationship building

Communication

Time management

Budget awareness

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The University of Auckland — Jul 6, 2026

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We are looking for someone who is passionate about bringing our researchers, communities, whānau and rangatahi together in new and different ways to galvanise our efforts to bring equity to Māori heart health in Aotearoa. As our pouwhakarite, you will support the Centre’s Co‑Director Māori and Māori Leadership Team in all aspects of their work; plan, promote and coordinate the Centre’s Māori outreach, education, workforce development and engagement activities and lead our Maori students’ summer research programme.

You will bring with you an understanding of Te Ao Māori and experience of building relationships in Māori communities and stakeholders including researchers, students, community groups, educational organisations and health organisations.

As a national centre, Pūtahi Manawa connects researchers and communities across the whole country. The role is based at the University of Auckland Grafton Campus. It requires regular multi‑day travel around Aotearoa New Zealand and periodic engagement activities outside of normal working hours.

Key Accountabilities

• Assist the Co‑Director Māori in the implementation of Pūtahi Manawa’s Māori Strategy and initiatives as required.
• Support the development and maintenance of relationships with key stakeholders, internal and external, including Māori teams, organisations and communities that will support the CoRE’s mission of heart health equity for Māori.
• Organise and facilitate Pūtahi Manawa attendance at key events for Māori such as Waitangi Day celebrations, Polyfest and Te Matatini festival, ensuring all Māori engagement is carried out in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Manage the administration and logistics for all Pūtahi Manawa’s Māori events, programmes and engagement activities, ensuring they meet the Co‑Director Māori’s requirements and are delivered within budget.
• Lead Pūtahi Manawa’s annual Māori summer research programme through the whole life cycle of the programme and maintain relationships with graduating tauira.
• Maintain relationships with Pūtahi Manawa Māori postgraduate scholarship recipients throughout their studies, cultivating a cohort of tauira and link them to support where needed.
• Provide ongoing support for the Te Korowai Pūtahi Manawa research teams.

This is a full‑time role, 37.5 hours per week, fixed‑term role until 31 December 2028. The remuneration is $77,101–$88,900 per annum (pro‑rata), depending on skills and experience.

You’ll have the ability to quickly pick up University systems, and you’ll be comfortable working independently or with others. Innovation and initiative will be your strengths, and you’ll be confident in contributing to our aim to disrupt the status quo.

You will have:

• Significant experience working with Māori stakeholders, including researchers, students, community groups, educational organisations and health organisations and relationship building in Māori communities.
• Understanding of equity issues in New Zealand, especially in relation to Māori.
• Thorough understanding of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Good awareness and knowledge of tikanga and te reo Māori.
• Demonstrated experience in leading projects and events.
• Experience of working in and alongside teams and collaborating effectively.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft suite of programmes.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Self‑directed and able to carry out tasks with little supervision.
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines, with strong time management skills.
• A basic understanding of budgets.

Benefits and Working Conditions

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university and maintains significant computational, laboratory and analytic facilities. Auckland itself is frequently rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities.

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home, flexible hours)
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave

In addition, we also offer career development programmes, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, childcare, and several other discounts on internal and external services.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online by the closing date of 27 July 2026 to be considered. Please include your cover letter and CV highlighting how you can meet the skills and experiences detailed above. Please reach out to Linda Fotherby via [e-mail] for a confidential conversation. Please note we are happy to answer your questions, but we do not accept applications by email.