Principal Advisor – Māori Relations

HRConsult Ltd; Whangarei; Hybrid; NZD 60,000 - 75,000; Part time

Job summary

Northland Waters is seeking a Principal Advisor - Māori Relations to shape our partnerships with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations as we establish a new regional water services entity. This is a 9-month contract with a 20-hour week, working in a hybrid arrangement across Te Tai Tokerau.

The role focuses on early, well-coordinated engagement that respects tikanga, builds enduring relationships and provides strategic guidance to governance and programme teams.

Qualifications

• Significant experience engaging with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations.
• Strong understanding of Te Ao Māori and tikanga in governance.
• Credibility advising senior leaders, governance and technical staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice on hapū and iwi engagement.
• Plan, facilitate and document hui, workshops and engagement activities.
• Ensure engagement respects tikanga and strengthens relationships with Māori communities.
• Provide timely cultural and strategic advice to governance and programme leaders.
• Identify opportunities to build trust and Māori participation in decision-making.
• Maintain visibility of engagement activity, commitments and risks.

Skills

Māori engagement

Stakeholder management

Strategic advisory

Relationship building

Job description

9-month Contract - 20 hours per week| Hybrid Role | September 2026 Start

Northland Waters is building something new for Te Tai Tokerau - a future-focused organisation designed to deliver better water outcomes for our communities, our environment and our region. As we move through the establishment phase, we're bringing together talented people who thrive in complexity, pace and purpose.

We are now seeking a Principal Advisor - Māori Relations to help shape how we partner with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations as we build our future operating model.

This is a strategic, relationship focused role that supports genuine, enduring and accountable engagement across the region.

About the role

As Principal Advisor - Māori Relations, you will act as a connector between Northland Waters, hapū, iwi, Māori organisations and shareholder councils. You'll provide cultural, relationship and strategic advice to ensure engagement is early, well-coordinated and undertaken in a way that respects tikanga.

You'll help the organisation understand existing relationships, agreements, rohe-based interests and Māori aspirations for drinking water and wastewater services. You'll also support hui, workshops and engagement activities, ensuring appropriate tikanga, resourcing and follow-up are in place.

This role sits within the Customer and Stakeholder Engagement workstream and works collaboratively across all parts of the establishment programme.

Key responsibilities

Provide strategic advice on hapū and iwi engagement, supporting positive and enduring relationships.

Plan, facilitate and document hui, workshops and engagement activities.

Ensure engagement that recognises the importance of respectful and effective relationships with iwi, hapū and Māori communities.

Provide timely cultural and strategic advice to governance, programme leaders and technical specialists.

Identify opportunities to strengthen trust, build organisational capability and support Māori participation in decision-making.

Maintain visibility of engagement activity, commitments, risks, sensitivities and follow-up actions.

About you

You will bring:

Significant experience engaging with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations.

Strong understanding of Te Ao Māori, with the judgement and experience to support respectful and effective relationships with iwi, hapū and Māori communities.

Credibility and confidence advising senior leaders, governance and technical specialists.

Experience working in complex, multi-agency or fast-moving programme environments.

Sound judgement, political awareness and the ability to navigate sensitive issues respectfully.

Excellent relationship management and communication skills.

This is a 9 month contract and the role requires 20 hours per week.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape a new regional water services entity from the ground up. You'll play a pivotal role in establishing the foundations for enduring relationships with hapū, iwi and Māori communities across Tai Tokerau.

Applications close on September 21st at 5pm.