Kaitohutohu | Advisor, Iwi and Māori Relations

At Te Puni Kōkiri, we’re proud to support our kaimahi to grow and, due to some exciting internal progressions in our Iwi and Māori Relations tīma, we are looking for 2 x Kaitohutohu | Advisors. These roles are permanent, full-time opportunities.
Te whai wāhitanga | The opportunity
The Iwi and Māori Relations team is responsible for providing advice to set and monitor the strategic direction of the Māori Crown relationship. We contribute to the wider government’s effective management of the Māori Crown relationship by providing advice and guidance across Te Puni Kōkiri on how to manage relationships with key stakeholders in the Treaty sector.
The Advisor role is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by having a leading hand in the coordination and delivery of Iwi-Crown Accords mahi and overseeing the monitoring, delivery, and reporting of actions agreed upon between the Crown and Iwi. Working in this space is hugely relevant and will position you well for a future in this field. This tīma is also responsible for the convening function and some reporting aspects of the National Iwi Chairs Forum and support the delivery of the annual Ahuwhenua Māori Farming Award and, as such, you may be involved in this mahi too.
The Iwi and Māori Relations team is a supportive environment where we want to see you grow and thrive.
The likely appointment range is $76,785 - $85,316 based on skills and experience. The full grade for this role is $76,785 - $102, with a mid-point of $85,316.
For more information about the skills and experience required for this position, please see the job description below.
Mōu | About you
We are looking for candidates with a solid foundation in professional writing and the ability to articulate your ideas on paper. You will be proactive by nature, have a good attitude, excellent communication skills and be willing to learn by stepping into new areas.
You will be comfortable working in a te ao Māori environment and have a high level of understanding of the machinery of Government, public service and public sector processes that ensure the impartiality of Public Servants. You will also have an understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti ō Waitangi and recognise the importance of the Treaty/Tiriti from both Māori and Crown perspectives.
Tāu e whai ai | What you will get in return Te Puni Kōkiri is a diverse and rewarding working environment full of passionate kaimahi focused on creating solutions that will help our communities. We are guided by our values of te wero, manaakitanga, he toa takitini and ture tangata. There is more to life than just work and we encourage our kaimahi to maintain the right balance between mahi and their personal lives. Your whānau is just as important as you, so we're committed to providing incentives and opportunities that help our kaimahi and their whānau to thrive, including: * A range of allowances including childcare, optical, hauora/wellbeing and te reo Māori proficiency * Medical insurance discounts * Flexible working options * In house te reo Māori training * Kaimahi development and career options, including study assistance * Enhanced parental leave provisions Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development We are committed to our vision of 'Thriving Whānau' - when whānau are thriving, so do their communities, hapū, iwi and all of Aotearoa. Te Puni Kōkiri leads policy advice to the Government on Māori development, and Iwi and Māori relations with the Crown. Our people are at the heart of the work we do – using our approaches to improve outcomes to, for and with Māori, and to drive our efforts to build an Aotearoa where whānau can all stand, thrive and belong.
Find out more about Our Story
We invite applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We believe that diversity fuels innovation and enriches our collective strength. Your unique perspectives, skills, and heritage contribute to our mission of advancing Māori aspirations and well-being.  Tono mai | Apply Now!  Ka aukati ngā tono hei te Rātapu 23 Ākuhata 2026 ā te 11.55pm | Applications close on Sunday 23 August 2026 at 11.55pm.   Tukuna mai tau tono ā-ipurangi | Please submit your application online. Nau mai rā ko ngā tononga i te reo Māori, te reo Pākehā, te reorua rānei | We welcome applications in te reo Māori, English, or both. Īmēratia [email protected] me he pātai āu | Email [email protected] with any pātai. We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing: [email protected]