Senior Advisor | Kaitohutohu Matua, Whakamana

Te Puni Kōkiri - Ministry of Māori Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare allowances

Optical discounts

Hauora/wellbeing support and te reo Mā

Te reo Māori training

Job summary

Te Puni Kōkiri, Ministry of Māori Development, in Wellington, seeks a Senior Advisor to lead and contribute to post-settlement workstreams. You will deliver timely, accurate advice to senior leaders and Ministers, supporting Cabinet processes and Crown relations initiatives.

You will build relationships with post-settlement entities, navigate political environments, and help shape outcomes across Māori Crown policy.

Qualifications

• Experience in negotiations of Treaty settlements and brokering resolution of post-settlement issues between Crown and post-settlement governance entities is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Knowledge of the Crown's He Korowai Whakamana framework for Crown accountability in Treaty settlements is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Having legal experience is advantageous but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality advice to senior officials and Ministers, support Cabinet and legislative processes, and help shape outcomes across the Treaty and Māori Crown relations sector.
• Lead and contribute to the development of timely, accurate advice on a variety of complex issues related to Māori Crown relations workstreams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with post‑settlement government entities and stakeholders, navigating sensitive and political environments.
• Respond to ministerial correspondence and identify key issues to support decision-making.

Skills

Negotiations of Treaty settlements

He Korowai Whakamana framework

Excellent written and verbal comms

Legal experience advantageous

Job description

The Opportunity

Lead and contribute to a priority workstream Provide high-quality advice to senior leaders and Ministers Full Time, Permanent opportunity based in Te Tari Matua, Pōneke | National Office, Wellington

Our Whakamana – Post settlement team is looking for a Kaitohutohu Matua | Senior Advisor.

The Senior Advisor, Whakamana will support the achievement of team objectives by leading and contributing to the development of timely, accurate advice on a variety of complex issues related to Māori Crown relations workstreams.

In this role, you'll provide high-quality advice to senior officials and Ministers, support Cabinet and legislative processes, and help shape impactful outcomes across the Treaty and Māori Crown relations sector.

You will build and maintain strong relationships with post-settlement government entities and stakeholders, navigating sensitive and politically nuanced environments with confidence and care.

Your ability to deliver timely, high-quality work, respond to ministerial correspondence, and identify key issues will be essential to your success.

The likely appointment range is$105,100 - $116,777, based on skills and experience. The full grade for this role is $105,100 - $140,132 with a mid-point of $116,777.

Ko wai koe – About you

You will join a close-knit team where you will have an opportunity to broaden your knowledge and experience by wearing multiple hats

• Experience in the negotiations of Treaty settlements and brokering the resolution of post-settlement issues that arise between the Crown and post-settlement governance entities is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Knowledge of the Crown's He Korowai Whakamana framework for achieving Crown accountability for Treaty settlements is advantageous but not mandatory.
• You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Having legal experience is advantageous but not mandatory.

What you will get in return

Te Puni Kōkiri is a diverse and rewarding working environment full of passionate kaimahi focused on creating solutions that will help our communities. We are guided by our values of Te Wero, Manaakitanga, He Toa Takitini and Ture Tangata.

• A range of allowances including childcare, optical, hauora/wellbeing and te reo Māori proficiency
• Medical insurance discounts
• Flexible working options
• In house te reo Māori training
• Kaimahi development and career options, including study assistance
• Enhanced parental leave provisions

Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development

We are committed to our vision of 'Thriving Whānau' - when whānau are thriving, so do their communities, hapū, iwi and all of Aotearoa. Te Puni Kōkiri leads policy advice to the Government on Māori development, and Iwi and Māori relations with the Crown. Our people are at the heart of the work we do – using our approaches to improve outcomes to, for and with Māori, and to drive our efforts to build an Aotearoa where whānau can all stand, thrive and belong.Find out more about Our Story

We invite applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We believe that diversity fuels innovation and enriches our collective strength. Your unique perspectives, skills, and heritage contribute to our mission of advancing Māori aspirations and well-being.