Kaitohutohu Mātāmua | Principal Advisor - Māori Strategy and Performance, Tūmatakōkiri | Flexible

Fixed-term or secondment opportunity to 30 June 2026 (covering a secondment)

Mō te tūranga mahi - About the role

Tūmatakōkiri leads and provides strategic advice to embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi and strong Māori-Crown relationships into all aspects of the Ministry.

The Māori Strategy and Performance team sits within the Tūmatakōkiri business group and provides advice on strategic risk and system performance grounded in Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti. This includes monitoring and reporting on Ministry Treaty settlement commitments while supporting statutory weighting and Māori relationship management in the context of the reform of the resource management system.

We are looking for an experienced Principal Advisor to work closely with the Manager to lead and deliver the work programme and ensure alignment and integration across related functions.

You will have strong technical expertise in Treaty settlements, a deep understanding of the resource management system and confident delivering high-quality advice.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako - Skills and experience

• Brings a strong te ao Māori perspective and a practical understanding of the Māori-Crown relationship, with the ability to apply both meaningfully within policy and performance framework

• Ability to identify and assess strategic and system-level risks, with a focus on Treaty obligations in the Environment Management and Planning systems

• Has a strong working knowledge of the Resource Management Act (RMA), reform processes, and related statutory frameworks

• Can demonstrate experience in providing practical solutions that enable improvements in system performance this includes, but is not limited to, Treaty settlement commitments

• Proven ability to lead complex cross-governmental policy development and/or implementation programmes

• Skilled in delivering high-quality, strategy-led, evidence-informed, and performance-driven advice to decision makers, with exceptional written and oral communication abilities

• Experienced in briefing Ministers and senior officials for engagements with iwi and PSGE

• Deep understanding of the Government's priorities and the relevant political context that shapes decision making

• Adept at mentoring and coaching junior team members, leading complex projects and offering thought leadership through advanced expertise and experience

Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau - Salary range

Salary range for this role is $142,185 to $172,853 pa.  Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.

Ngā hua ka puta i te mahi ki MfE - Benefits of working at MfE

• a flexible working approach to embrace a healthy work-life blend

• agile ways of working, allowing you variety and challenges across the organisation as we work as 'One MfE'

• active employee networks including Māori Rōpū, Asian Network, Neurodivergent and Disability Networks, Women's Network, Tagata Moana (Pacific Peoples' Network), and Rainbow Network

• opportunities for development and education. 

Check out other benefits of joining us and hear what our people say about Working at MfE | Ministry for the Environment.

Tono ināianei - Apply now

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and cover letter.  Note: your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.  

If you require further information about this position please contact Ngaire.howes@mfe.govt.nz. The position description is available via our careers centre www.mfe.govt.nz/jobs.

The location for this role is flexible which means you can work anywhere in New Zealand and there is an option to work from home. As a flexible friendly employer, we are happy to discuss solutions that may work for you and the business.  We value and care about enabling our people to work in a way that means they can work at their best. 

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and actively strive to be a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture.  We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.  We are proud to be a Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick certified organisation and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

We want to ensure any accessibility needs you may have are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all.  Therefore, please let us know if there are any adjustments or support we can offer to make the recruitment process more accessible to you.  Please contact us at vacancy@mfe.govt.nz if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs you may have.

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.

Note: for internal permanent kaimahi who are applying for a secondment, you must speak with your Manager before submitting your application.

Rā Katinga - Applications close: Tuesday, 30 September 2025