Team Lead Turoa Mahi (Operations) | Ngā Whenua Rāhui

Department of Conservation; Opotiki; On-site; NZD 94,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Conservation (DOC) invites you to lead Tuora Mahi (Operations) in Ōpōtiki, providing operational leadership, coordination and oversight of conservation activities across the Central and Northern regions. You will head a team delivering Ngā Whenua Rāhui kawenata agreements and ensure high-quality conservation outcomes on Māori land.

This is a people leadership role focused on planning, risk management and relationship building with Māori landowners, whānau, hapū and iwi.

Qualifications

• Proven experience inspiring, leading and developing high-performing teams, with a strong drive for results through collaboration.
• Proven ability to coordinate operational programmes across geographically dispersed locations, supported by strong planning, prioritisation and problem-solving skills.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience in conservation management, including biodiversity protection, natural and cultural heritage, Māori landowner aspirations, and pest management programmes.
• Exceptional relationship management and communication skills, with experience engaging and influencing iwi, hapū, whānau, Māori landowners, community groups and other stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, confidence working within tikanga Māori, and the ability to build meaningful Treaty partnerships and value exchange opportunities.
• A current full New Zealand driver license.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and support a regional team delivering conservation programmes and projects.
• Provide operational oversight of conservation activities undertaken across Ngā Whenua Rāhui kawenata areas in the Central and Northern regions.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with Māori landowners, whānau, hapū and iwi.
• Ensure conservation work programmes are planned, delivered and monitored effectively.
• Manage resources, priorities and risks to achieve organisational objectives.
• Support a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and high performance.
• Contribute to strategic planning and operational decision-making within Ngā Whenua Rāhui.
• Champion health, safety and wellbeing across field-based operations.

Skills

Leadership

Team coordination

Conservation management

Stakeholder engagement

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Driver license

Job description

Bring your effective operational leadership, coordination, and oversight to this roleLead conservation outcomes protecting Māori-owned whenua and biodiversity

Full time, permanent role based in ŌpōtikiSalary Range: $93,656 - $118,510, depending on skills and experience

Support our kaupapa of protecting the natural integrity of Māori land and preserving mātauranga Māori

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Ngā Whenua Rāhui serves to encourage the voluntary protection of indigenous biodiversity on Māori owned land with special emphasis to recognise the cultural and spiritual values of those lands, while recognising the rights guaranteed to Māori Landowners under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. To learn more about Ngā Whenua Rāhui, visit Ngā Whenua Rāhui

About the role

As Team Lead Tuora Mahi (Operations), you will provide operational leadership, coordination and oversight of conservation activities delivered across the Central and Northern regions. You will lead a team of passionate conservation professionals responsible for managing and supporting Ngā Whenua Rāhui kawenata agreements and ensuring high-quality delivery of conservation outcomes. This is a people leadership position focused on operational excellence, relationship management, and the successful delivery of conservation initiatives on protected Māori-owned land.

• Lead, motivate and support a regional team delivering conservation programmes and projects.
• Provide operational oversight of conservation activities undertaken across Ngā Whenua Rāhui kawenata areas in the Central and Northern regions.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with Māori landowners, whānau, hapū and iwi.
• Ensure conservation work programmes are planned, delivered and monitored effectively.
• Manage resources, priorities and risks to achieve organisational objectives.
• Support a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and high performance.
• Contribute to strategic planning and operational decision-making within Ngā Whenua Rāhui.
• Champion health, safety and wellbeing across field-based operations.

Skills and experience

• Proven experience inspiring, leading and developing high-performing teams, with a strong drive for results through collaboration.
• Proven ability to coordinate operational programmes across geographically dispersed locations, supported by strong planning, prioritisation and problem-solving skills.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience in conservation management, including biodiversity protection, natural and cultural heritage, Māori landowner aspirations, and pest management programmes involving predator, ungulate and plant pest control.
• Exceptional relationship management and communication skills, with experience engaging and influencing iwi, hapū, whānau, Māori landowners, community groups and other stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, confidence working within tikanga Māori, and the ability to build meaningful Treaty partnerships and value exchange opportunities.
• A current full New Zealand driver license.
• The successful applicant will need to demonstrate their ability to network and connect with whanāu/hapū/iwi across the Ngā Whenua Rāhui Central and North regional operational role.

What’s in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we'll try to accommodate.

Salary: $93,656 - $118,510, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment. Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Applications close

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 15th November. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly.

For further enquiries about this role, please contact Whakarae Henare, Pou Ngā Whenua Rāhui, [e-mail]. Please note, we're unable to accept applications via email or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.