Principal Advisor, Māori Capability - Wellington

Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga - The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) leads Aotearoa | New Zealand's housing and urban development work programme. 
 
Everybody should have a place to live that is warm, dry, safe, stable and affordable, with access to the support they need to live healthy, successful lives. 

 
Mō te tūnga | About the role 
 
We know there are critical gaps for whānau Māori in the housing system, and that placing whānau at the heart of what we do is critical to creating a more equitable housing system. We also know that to fulfil this kaupapa, our people need to develop and grow their capability to work in ways that strengthen the Māori-Crown relationship. We have made good progress in building this capability, but there is more for us to do. We are focusing on building a more enduring and tailored approach to organisational learning and development. We want to refresh our approach to building Māori capability to fit within this approach. 

We’re looking for a Principal Advisor, Māori Capability, who can bring the thought leadership and technical expertise needed to help us drive this focus. This is a newly established permanent role, reporting to the General Manager, People & Community, and your work will include: 

• Leading the development and operational delivery of our Whāinga Amorangi work programme, identifying role-based Māori capability needs and the right L&D solutions to meet those needs 

• Leading and facilitating activity so people can build their knowledge and understanding of Māori-Crown Relations including Te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi and topics important to Māori, and apply these perspectives in their work 

• Leading activity to help maintain an organisational culture that reflects Matauranga Māori, including tikanga practices and through awareness campaigns for te ao Māori events and celebrations. 

You’ll work with leaders and people across the organisation, and connect with the Ministry’s Māori-Crown Relations team to ensure our Whāinga Amorangi programme is working in support of Our Kaupapa | Our Strategic Framework. 

Ō wheako, ō pukenga | About you 
 
We are looking for someone who has: 

• Depth of expertise in developing and delivering learning and development work programmes focused on building capability and culture to strengthen the Māori-Crown relationship; including lifting understanding of te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and topics important to Māori 

• Proficiency in te reo Māori with a grounded understanding of tikanga, and confidence in te ao Māori 

• Strong knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi, and Māori-Crown relations in the public service 

• Working knowledge of learning design and delivery  

• Sound business acumen, with experience contributing to the development and delivery of strategic and operational plans and processes, and driving change 

• Proven experience leading and contributing to organisational initiatives 

• Strong relationship and communication skills 

• A natural instinct to use data and insights, and good judgement when developing fit-for-purpose approaches and solutions. 

Mō mātou | About us 
 
Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga reflects the intention of ‘the foundation for a treasured home'. The name comes from the Māori whakatauki (proverb) ‘he kurakāinga e hokia, he kuratangata e kore e hokia', - ‘a treasured home will endure, not so a treasured person'. It carries with it a strong connection to our purpose: he kāingaora, he haporiora - thriving communities where everyone has a place to call home. 
 
The importance of ensuring the wellbeing of people within the home, and our connection with the land - acknowledges the generations of people who have always called this place ‘home' - and affirms our commitment to delivering for future generations of New Zealanders. 

 
Ng ā  painga | What we offer 
 
The opportunity to make a meaningful difference on an issue of high importance to all New Zealanders. 

• Flexible working to give work/life balance  

• Engaging employee-led people networks that celebrate diversity, provide safe spaces, and encourage thought-leadership  

• Close to the railway station, modern office space and cloud -based technology that allows for joined up, cohesive collaboration  

• Wellbeing initiatives, tools and courses, and a discounted health insurance scheme  

• Open minds - we aren't afraid of change and encourage fresh approaches and ideas from people who want to make a difference  

• Salaries automatically move up a step on an annual basis.  
   
   

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply 
 
Please click on the APPLY button to be directed to the application page, from here you can upload your CV and cover letter. Please note, while applications close on 5pm Friday, 4 July 2025, we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position. 
 
Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process. 
 
For tracking and evaluation purposes, all applications must be submitted via our online process. You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be eligible for this position. 
 
For further inquiries please contact recruitment@hud.govt.nz