Kaitohutohu Mātāmua | Principal Advisor - Treaty-based Relationships | Flexible

Fixed-term or Secondment opportunity to June 2026

This role is a fixed term position in response to increased demand within our high priority work programmes. We are surging in people and resources in response to these priorities.

Mō te tūranga mahi | About the role

Our Treaty-based Relationships team is looking for an experienced Kaitohutohu Mātāmua/Principal Advisor.

The team works to maintain relationships with PSGEs, yet-to-settle groups and other groups with Treaty-related agreements. The team's main focus is working with these groups on implications for their arrangements, including how those arrangements are given effect to through policy development and regulatory reform processes.

Responsibilities of the role include:

• Supporting the Ministry to plan for and deliver engagement with Treaty partners on resource management reform and other work across the Ministry.

• Leading engagement with Treaty partners that helps to build relationships and support the Māori Crown relationship.

• Developing specialist advice for Ministers on approaches to engagement and relationships with Māori within wider policy decision-making across the Ministry's work programme.

• Working alongside the Upholding Treaty settlements and Māori rights and interests team to ensure that post-settlement governance entities (PSGEs) and other groups views on upholding settlements and broader Treaty matters are considered in the policy process.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

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

• Proven ability to provide practical policy advice to solve/address problems.

• Experience providing high quality written and oral briefings to Ministers for meetings with iwi.

• Excellent communication skills that foster and maintain relationships including with Treaty partners.

• Highly developed knowledge and practical skills and experience in:

• Te Tiriti o Waitangi

• Treaty settlements and other arrangements, the Treaty settlement process and historical context

• the Māori Crown relationship context

• Demonstrated knowledge of te ao Māori perspectives and Māori rights and interests.

• Possesses a deep understanding of the machinery of government, exceptional written and oral communication skills, and proficiency in policy development.

• 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 Anna Galvin at Anna.Galvin@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: Sunday, 18 January 2026