Te Akura Lead

Waikato Tainui; Ngaruawahia; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Values-driven environment

Job summary

Waikato-Tainui invites an experienced investment, business development and capability-building professional to join our Heritage & Identity team as Te Akura Lead. You will navigate funding pathways, support investment readiness and help Marae and tribal members realise their aspirations with practical tools and governance guidance.

You will engage with Marae and Paakihi, assess opportunities, develop investment-ready proposals and deliver workshops to build capability and confidence for

Qualifications

• At least 10 years' experience in investment, business development or related field.
• Experience supporting investment readiness and governance practices.
• Strong financial analysis including budgets, forecasts and cashflow modelling.

Responsibilities

• Lead relationships with Marae, Paakihi and tribal members seeking investment and development opportunities.
• Assess opportunities and triage them to Te Akura objectives.
• Support business case development, feasibility studies and funding applications.
• Design capability-building programmes and investment readiness training.
• Coordinate the Te Akura lifecycle from enquiry through assessment and approval.
• Provide balanced commercial, social and cultural investment advice.

Skills

Investment experience

Business development

Relationship management

Financial analysis

Workshop facilitation

Stakeholder engagement

Māori development understanding

Education

Tertiary qualification in Commerce, Finance, Business, Economics, Accounting, Māo Māori Development

Job description

Waikato-Tainui is a tribal organisation responsible for developing and implementing initiatives which improve iwi outcomes in the areas of education and training, employment, tribal preservation, marae development, health and wellbeing, environmental and resource management.

We exist to continually build the foundations which support every tribal member to exercise their mana motuhake and grow their confidence and capacity to shape and create their own prosperous futures.

Moo te tuunga | About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced investment, business development and capability-building professional to join our Heritage & Identity team as Te Akura Lead.

Reporting to the GM Heritage & Identity, this newly established position will play a critical role in supporting Waikato-Tainui Marae, Paakihi and tribal members to access and navigate the Te Akura Fund. Acting as the primary relationship lead, you will work alongside applicants to strengthen their capability, develop investment-ready proposals, and connect them with the expertise and resources needed to bring their aspirations to life.

This role sits at the intersection of community development, investment advisory and capability building. You will facilitate workshops, provide strategic advice, assess opportunities, support business case development, and help applicants navigate funding, investment and approval pathways. You will also contribute valuable market and sector insights that support informed decision-making and increase the quality and success of Te Akura applications.

As part of this role, you will:

Lead relationships with Waikato-Tainui Marae, Paakihi and tribal members seeking investment and development opportunities.

Identify, assess and triage opportunities, ensuring alignment with Te Akura objectives and strategic aspirations.

Support the preparation and review of business cases, investment proposals, feasibility studies and funding applications.

Assist applicants to develop realistic financial forecasts, budgets and cashflow plans.

Design and deliver capability-building programmes, workshops and investment readiness training.

Coordinate the Te Akura application lifecycle, from initial enquiry through to assessment and approval.

Develop practical tools, templates and resources that improve application quality and governance capability.

Conduct market research and sector analysis to identify emerging opportunities, risks and trends.

Provide balanced commercial, social and cultural investment advice to support sustainable decision-making.

Build and maintain positive relationships with internal teams, funders, government agencies, investors, financial institutions and other strategic partners.

You will be an experienced relationship builder, trusted advisor and commercially minded professional who is passionate about empowering Marae and Paakihi to achieve their aspirations.

Ideally, you will bring:

At least 10 years' experience in investment, business development, commercial advisory, banking, economic development or a related field.

Demonstrated experience supporting business start-ups, scale-ups and community enterprise development.

Experience assessing investment proposals, business cases and commercial opportunities.

Strong financial analysis capability, including budgets, financial forecasts and cashflow modelling.

Experience facilitating workshops, training programmes and capability-building initiatives.

Knowledge of funding, lending, investment and government approval processes.

Strong understanding of investment readiness, governance practices and financial decision-making frameworks.

Experience conducting market research and sector analysis to inform investment opportunities.

Understanding of Maaori economic development and the wider investment ecosystem.

Experience working with Marae trusts, incorporations, charitable entities, Paakihi Maaori or iwi organisations.

Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.

Tertiary qualification in Commerce, Finance, Business, Economics, Accounting, Maaori Development or a related discipline.

You will be someone who:

Builds trusted and meaningful relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Can translate complex commercial and financial concepts into practical advice.

Balances commercial outcomes with cultural, social and intergenerational aspirations.

Is proactive, solutions focused and comfortable working in an evolving environment.

Demonstrates strong judgement, integrity and professionalism.

Embodies the values and aspirations of Waikato-Tainui and works in a mana-enhancing way.

Noou te rourou | What's in it for you

This is a rare opportunity to shape a new role and make a meaningful contribution to growing the capability, confidence and prosperity of Waikato-Tainui Marae, Paakihi and whaanau.

You will work alongside passionate professionals committed to delivering transformational outcomes for the iwi while helping unlock sustainable investment opportunities that support future generations.

Our kaimahi enjoy flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities and a values-driven environment where people are supported to thrive.

This is a permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week) position based in Hopuhopu, Ngaaruawahia.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Aotearoa New Zealand.