Principal Advisor - Wellington
Help shape the future of Education
We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes
Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.
About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga
Opportunity for an immediate start.
Fixed term role until 30 January 2026
The role is based in our Wellington tari.
The Principal Advisor, Office of the Hautū, provides executive-level strategic advice and support to the Hautū that is specifically focused in relation to our Ministers' priorities and the Māori Education Action Plan. The role also supports the business planning and reporting for Te Pou Taurongo and the wider management as required. It provides advice, tools and training and development that strengthens our evidence-based analysis and advice across all workstreams. This role is responsible for supporting the Director to review business practices to ensure efficient and effective management contributing to an effective and focused environment. This ensures the requirements of the Hautū are met and carried out effectively and efficiently to a high standard, enabling the Hautū to provide leadership to the business group and across the organisation.
The Principal Advisor is responsible for keeping abreast of Government Priorities and developments in order to provide timely and accurate strategic advice for the Hautū. You'll also be responsible for providing advice and support for work within other parts of the Office of the Hautū where required and deputise for the Director when required. The Principal Advisor will operate with a high degree of sound judgement and understanding of complexity, managing risks to ensure all activities are delivered to a high standard, and will work flexibly across Te Pou Tuarongo and the Ministry. It is also important to develop networks at all levels of the organisation, government, and the sector. Specifically, the Principal Advisor is responsible for planning and reporting, co-ordination, and providing advice and information to the Director and Hautū on key issues that pertain to any assigned portfolio.
Salary range: $118,371 - $143,760 per annum + 3% kiwi saver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary based on their individual skills and experience.
For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here.
About you | Mōhou ake
To be successful in this secondment opportunity you will have the following experience:
Planning and Reporting expertise
Responds effectively to iwi Māori priorities for Māori Education
Consistently delivers efficient and effective services
Has a very deliberate focus on the organisation’s performance on Māori Education Action Plan priorities
Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, its principles, and their implications
A relevant tertiary qualification or related experiences
Familiarity and/or an understanding of te ao karauna and te ao Maori, te reo Māori, tikanga and mātauranga Māori, and a willingness to learn more
Integrity and leadership in advancing racial equity in the context of this role and the wider Ministry
Experience working with kaimahi, Māori stakeholders, Ministers, and Chief Executive Officers,
Understanding of the political context, the machinery of government, and the role of the Ministry in this context
Expertise in report writing and providing advice to senior leaders, and
Well-developed critical thinking and sound judgement, specifically, the ability to analyse information, develop options and think strategically.
About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake
Te Pou Tuarongo supports the Ministry’s purpose to “shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes for Māori”. It does this by operating effectively at the kāwanatanga and rangatiratanga interface. Te Pou Tuarongo enable and support our organisation to give practical effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi by providing extensive expertise in iwi relationships, Mātauranga Māori and ao Māori capability build.
The Office of the Hautū supports the Hautū for Te Pou Tuarongo by delivering high quality advice for Ministers, the Secretary for Education, and Te Pou Tokomanawa. The Office of the Hautū also provides secretariat support to the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Board and the Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group. Additional responsibilities for our team include financial and budget management and oversight of the Māori Education Action Plan. The Office of the Hautū supports and enables Te Pou Tuarongo’s work programme and supports all aspects of the business planning and reporting.
Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?
If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.
For further information, please contact Sara Hewson, Acting Director at sara.hewson@education.govt.nz
Applications close Midnight – Monday 29 September 2025.
We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.
