Student Support Adviser (Māori)

University of Auckland; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 64,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible employment practices

Up to 6.75% superannuation

Five weeks' annual leave

Discounted car parking

Parental leave entitlement

Job summary

The University of Auckland is seeking a compassionate, organised Student Adviser Māori to join Te Pūtahi Mātauranga in the Faculty of Arts and Education. You will provide pastoral care, guidance, and day-to-day support to tauira Māori to help them feel connected and supported throughout their university journey.

Working with the Student Support and Engagement team and wider Māori and Pacific networks, you will strengthen tauira engagement, coordinate appointments, and contribute to

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience supporting tauira Māori in education settings is beneficial.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to engage with tauira, whānau, and community stakeholders.
• Fluency or good pronunciation of Te Reo Māori is valued.
• Understanding of tikanga Māori and culturally grounded approaches.

Responsibilities

• Provide pastoral care, advice, and culturally responsive support to tauira Māori.
• Support tauira Māori engagement initiatives, orientation activities, pōwhiri, and events.
• Collaborate with the Student Support and Engagement team and wider networks.
• Coordinate appointments, respond to student enquiries, maintain records and databases.
• Assist with scholarship promotion and application.

Skills

Māori engagement

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Te Reo Māori pronunciation

Team collaboration

Education

Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience

Tools

CRM systems

Database management

Job description

Company Description

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading University. With over 6,000 academic and professional staff supporting over 46,000 students, we are one of NZ’s largest employers. We have eight academic faculties and 11 service divisions creating a diverse, dynamic and complex organisational culture that demands excellence.

Company Description

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading University. With over 6,000 academic and professional staff supporting over 46,000 students, we are one of NZ’s largest employers. We have eight academic faculties and 11 service divisions creating a diverse, dynamic and complex organisational culture that demands excellence.

Job Description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We are looking for a compassionate, organised, and culturally grounded Student Adviser Māori to join Te Pūtahi Mātauranga | The Faculty of Arts and Education.

This is a meaningful and highly rewarding role where you will work directly with tauira Māori to provide pastoral care, guidance, and day-to-day support that helps students feel connected, supported, and empowered throughout their university journey.

You will play an important role in strengthening tauira Māori engagement and supporting student success through exceptional manaakitanga and whanaungatanga. As part of a team dedicated to Māori and Pacific student success, you will contribute to faculty-wide initiatives and programmes that enhance the student experience.

This role also offers the opportunity to engage with the University’s strategic commitments through Kawea Ake, Ale o le Moana, and Taumata Teitei, with a particular focus on advancing the aspirations of Waipapa Tātai Hono and creating meaningful outcomes for tauira Māori across the faculty.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing pastoral care, advice, and culturally responsive support to tauira Māori


• Supporting tauira Māori engagement initiatives, orientation activities, pōwhiri, and events aligned to student wellbeing and success


• Working collaboratively across the Student Support and Engagement team and wider Māori and Pacific support networks to enhance tauira outcomes.


• Coordinating appointments, responding to student enquiries, maintaining accurate records, databases and supporting student-focused events and activities.


• Assisting with scholarship promotion and application

This is a role where your ability to build trust, foster connection, and create a positive student experience will truly make an impact.

This is a full-time, 37.5 hours per week permanent role. The salary range for this role is $63,600-$79,300 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You are passionate about supporting tauira and creating environments where people feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to succeed. You bring a strong appreciation of Māori and Pacific cultures, communities, and values, and understand the importance of culturally responsive student support.

You may have lived experience within Māori communities, experience working alongside these communities, or a demonstrated commitment to advancing positive outcomes for Māori and Pacific learners.

As a relationship-builder, you are comfortable engaging with tauira, whānau, and community stakeholders, and can build trust through authentic manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and service. You are highly organised, adaptable, and able to balance pastoral care with operational and administrative responsibilities.

Ngā pūkenga motuhake | Important skills and experience

• Experience working within the tertiary sector or supporting tauira Māori in education settings would be highly beneficial.


• Strong customer service experience and a genuine commitment to student support


• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build meaningful relationships


• Strong organisational and administrative capability, with confidence using databases and customer management systems


• Confidence with Te Reo Māori pronunciation, with fluency in Te Reo Māori viewed highly favourably


• Understanding of tikanga Māori and culturally grounded approaches to care and engagement


• Ability to work collaboratively and contribute positively to a team environment


• The ability to manage competing priorities in a busy and sometimes high-pressure environment.

Qualifications

Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.

Additional Information

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

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

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through the following:

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home and flexible hours)


• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme


• A competitive salary with five weeks' annual leave

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

For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz

The University is committed to achieving equitable outcomes for Māori and Pacific students. We welcome applications from candidates who bring cultural knowledge, community connections, lived experience, or demonstrated experience supporting Māori and Pacific success. People of all backgrounds who can contribute meaningfully to this kaupapa are encouraged to apply.

This approach signals that Māori and Pacific candidates may be particularly well placed for the role, while remaining inclusive and non-discriminatory. It focuses on the skills, experience, cultural capability, and community connection needed to succeed rather than ethnicity itself.