Principal Advisor - Communications

Tau Mai; Wellington; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Tau Mai in Wellington is seeking a Principal Advisor, Communications to shape meaningful messages for Māori communities and public sector audiences. You will work with senior leaders to deliver priority communications and maintain momentum under pressure.

You will advise on issues, risk and reputation, draft executive content including speeches, support media engagement, and lift team capability through practical tools and guidance.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated Principal Advisor experience with a strategic lens.
• Strong editorial writing, including speeches.
• Experience in communications planning and media engagement.
• Public sector experience and government context understanding.
• Ability to build relationships with senior stakeholders including iwi and Māori organisations.
• Te reo Māori capability and Te Tiriti grounding.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders to deliver communications for priority work.
• Advise on issues, risk, reputation and messaging.
• Draft executive content including speeches and key messages.
• Support media engagement and prepare responses.
• Keep content consistent across channels and collateral.
• Coach the team and quality assure high-profile work.
• Lift communications capability with practical tools and guidance.

Skills

Principal Advisor

Editorial writing

Comms planning

Media engagement

Public sector

Iwi/Māori relations

Te reo Māori

Te Tiriti knowledge

OIA/privacy

Education

Relevant degree

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

• Shape meaningful communications that support positive outcomes for Māori
• Lead high impact messaging across internal and external communications
• Permanent role based in Te Whanganui-a-tara | Wellington

Join a small, high-performing Strategy and Communications team as Principal Advisor, Communications. This role is ideal for someone who can work confidently with complex kaupapa, maintain momentum under pressure, and shape messages that resonate across Māori communities, media, and public sector audiences.

Ko te āhua o te tūranga | About the Role

Working alongside senior leaders and teams across the organisation, you will:

• Partner with leaders to deliver communications for priority work
• Advise on issues, risk, reputation and messaging
• Draft executive content including speeches and key messages
• Support media engagement and prepare responses
• Keep content consistent across channels and collateral
• Coach the team and quality assure high profile work
• Lift communications capability with practical tools and guidance

Mōu | About You

The successful candidate will bring:

• Demonstrated Principal Advisor experience, bringing a strong strategic lens
• Relevant degree and strong editorial writing, including speeches
• Communications planning and media engagement expertise
• Public sector experience and understanding of government context
• Strong relationship management across senior stakeholders, including iwi and Māori organisations
• Confidence working within te ao Māori, with te reo Māori capability, Te Tiriti grounding, and awareness of OIA and privacy obligations.

To find out more, please get in touch with Orissa Plimmer on 0272851461 for a confidential kōrero.

To apply, you must be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or hold a valid visa with the right to work in Aotearoa. We’ll be reviewing candidates as they come through, so we encourage early applications.

We are the landing place where our people can come to rest upon, a safe space.

Aplacewhereexcellenceandcultureareencouraged and ultimately recognised.

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!