Principal Advisor, Communications

Tau Mai (Tribe Group); Wellington; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Tau Mai (Tribe Group) in Wellington seeks a Principal Advisor, Communications to shape messaging that resonates with Māori communities and public sector audiences. You will work with senior leaders to deliver strategic communications for priority work, while maintaining momentum under pressure and ensuring consistency across all channels.

The role requires strong editorial writing, media engagement, and solid understanding of government context, with te ao Māori capability and Te Tiriti

Qualifications

• Demonstrated Principal Advisor experience with a strong strategic lens.
• Strong editorial writing skills, including speeches and briefs.
• Experience in communications planning and media engagement.
• Public sector experience and understanding of government context.
• Relationship management across senior stakeholders including iwi and Māori organisations.
• Confidence working within te ao Māori with te reo 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

Editorial writing

Strategic communications

Media engagement

Stakeholder management

Te reo Māori

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.

Tau Mai (Tribe Group) – Wellington, North Island

Permanent

16h ago , from Ahu Jobs - Connecting Māori to opportunity

• 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
  

Principal Advisor, Communications

• 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 apply 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!