Senior Forestry & Operations Manager - Northland

Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust

Location: Tai Tokerau / Northland

Employment type: Full-time, fixed term for 12 months with potential for the role to become permanent

Ko mātou | About us 

Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust is responsible for the stewardship and development of the Trust assets and whenua. Our kaupapa is grounded in kaitiakitanga, intergenerational wellbeing, and delivering sustainable economic, environmental and cultural outcomes for our owners and uri.

We are entering a new phase of growth and are creating a senior leadership role to strengthen our operational delivery, environmental performance and health and safety culture across the Trust.

Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust is an Ahu Whenua Trust with lands of approximately 6,000 hectares centred alongside the rural towns of Moerewa and Kawakawa, and offices in Whangārei and Moerewa. The Trust has over 6,000 registered owners represented by seven Trustees who govern the Trust under the authority of a Trust Order pursuant to Section 244 of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993. The Trust has substantial interests in forest leases, Sungold G3 kiwifruit orchards in Kerikeri, a manuka honey and pollination operation, dairy farms, carbon crops and a natives nursery. Wealth creation through these and other interests has seen the Trust assets grow in value over time. The Trust continues to diversify its interests for environmental, economic, cultural and social outcomes.

Te Tūranga | The position

We are seeking an experienced and values-driven Senior Forestry & Operations Manager to lead the operational delivery of our forestry assets and provide oversight across the Trust’s wider land-based operations.

This is a newly created role that supports the protection and enhancement of our whenua, our people, and intergenerational outcomes. Forestry is the core focus of the role, alongside operational oversight of the Trust’s kiwifruit orchards, honey operations, farming activities, and native plant nursery.

The Trust is currently engaged as a subcontractor to an external forest manager. Over time, Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust intends to strengthen its internal operational capability and systems to support more active involvement in the management of its forest assets. This role will contribute to that capability by ensuring forestry operations, safety systems, environmental compliance, and contractor management frameworks are robust, consistent, and fit for purpose.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will provide steady, practical leadership across diverse operational environments, working closely with contractors, whānau, trustees, and partners.

Te Pūtake o te Tūranga | Why This Role Matters

This role is central to instilling confidence — with trustees, whānau, contractors, and external partners — that Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust operates to a high standard across safety, compliance, and operational delivery. For a senior professional, this is an opportunity to help strengthen systems, lift capability, and support sound governance, while contributing to long-term outcomes for whenua and future generations.

Ngā Kawenga Matua | Key Responsibilities

• Lead forestry operations delivered through current contracting arrangements

• Manage and support a small team to deliver work safely, efficiently and on time. This includes workforce planning, training, supervising performance, coordinating schedules, and ensuring compliance with all relevant safety, environmental and regulatory requirements

• Strengthen operational systems and processes that support effective forest asset management

• Contribute to the development of documentation and frameworks required for future procurement and contracting opportunities

• Provide operational oversight across Trust activities including kiwifruit orchards, honey, farming, and native nursery operations

• Oversee contractor performance, compliance, and relationships across all operational areas

• Lead all health, safety, and wellbeing systems for the Trust, ensuring legislative compliance and best practice

• Champion a strong, consistent safety culture across diverse land-based environments

• Ensure environmental compliance and stewardship of whenua across all Trust activities

• Identify and manage operational risks and support continuous improvement

• Provide clear, timely reporting to the Chief Executive and Trustees

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

You are a senior forestry or operations professional who values doing things properly and understands the importance of strong foundations. You are comfortable working within established arrangements while contributing to longer-term capability building. Ideally, you will bring:

• Proven extensive experience in forestry operations management (harvest and/or forest management)

• Demonstrated leadership in health and safety systems and culture

• Experience developing or improving operational, safety, and environmental systems

• Strong understanding of environmental compliance and resource management in Aotearoa

• Experience managing staff, contractors, budgets and complex operational programmes

• Sound planning, documentation, and reporting skills

• The ability to build trust and work effectively with governance, contractors, and communities

• An understanding of, or commitment to learning about te ao Māori and tikanga Māori

• Flexibility to pitch in across the Trust's activities where required to help get a job done

• Alignment with kaupapa-driven, intergenerational outcomes

Nga Painga | What we offer

• A senior operational role with real influence and scope

• The opportunity to strengthen systems and capability across a diverse land-based portfolio

• A values-led organisation grounded in whenua, whānau, and future generations

• Supportive governance and leadership

• Competitive remuneration aligned with experience, skills and qualifications

Me pēhea te tono | How to apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the role to Heidi Mackey by email: heidi@ngatihine.maori.nz.

Applications close at 5pm on Monday 2 March 2026.

Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust welcomes applications from all backgrounds and encourages those who align with our values and kaupapa to apply.