Senior Advisor Kaitohutohu Matua - Iwi/Maori Communications & Engagement

• Fixed term parental leave cover through until June 2026
• Support communications and engagement in our Māori partnerships team nationally
• Based in Wellington or Auckland with flexible working encouraged

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity   

In this role you will support the coordination, development and roll out of Māori and key stakeholder engagement across the motu, working in a small but agile national engagement team that liaises daily with our regional offices, Te Mātangi Māori partnerships team and transport specialist teams to encourage best practice.

You will have a strong background in communications and engagement planning and delivery at advisor or senior advisor level, preferably in transport, construction, safety, kaupapa Māori, planning or other related policy and infrastructure fields, and have the ability to understand and implement activities that not only meet but exceed our legislative and statutory commitments for engagement and consultation.

You’ll also be a natural at building relationships and trust, both internally and externally, and care deeply about supporting our focus on improving outcomes, partnerships, diversity and inclusion. You’ll have excellent project management skills that will help us to develop and implement new ways to streamline our engagement processes, translation practices, collateral production, and online tools.

We’re incredibly proud of our track record championing best practice engagement. This role will really suit someone who is motivated to continue improving and innovating in our field of practice, love teamwork, have an understanding of locally led and nationally supported approaches and are keen to help mentor and grow others.

You will find out more about the role here Position Description

We are seeking to appoint at a salary between $110,000 - $150,000 commensurate to skills and experience.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

• At least 5-10 years’ experience in Māori, partner, stakeholder or community engagement roles, including leading or mentoring other team members
• Excellent writing and editing skills and experience presenting complex information clearly and simply, and in different languages and formats
• Sound knowledge of communications and engagement planning, methods, tools, techniques and channels, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvements in our field
• Other specialist skills i.e. marketing, public relations, change communications, kaupapa Māori
• Proven ability to build relationships with people at all levels
• Previous exposure to successfully working in a collaborative/matrix environment
• Demonstrated knowledge and proven application of te ao Māori and tikanga in our field, with fluency in te reo Māori an advantage
• Knowledge and proven application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and our commitments as they apply in the public sector
• A tertiary qualification in communications or a related discipline. Training or qualification in IAP2 is desirable but not essential

Mō mātou | About Us

Te Waka Kōtuia Engagement and Partnerships Group supports the success of NZTA | Waka Kotahi by strengthening relationships with our central and local government partners, communities, and industry.

We do this by telling great stories about the work NZTA | Waka Kotahi does. Our diverse work spans a range of partners and stakeholders - we support Ministers, coordinate collaboration across central government, lead relationships with our local government partners, and engage directly with the New Zealand public.

Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Flexible working arrangements, including remote/hybrid options
• Along with our other benefits we also have 5 weeks annual leave and an Income Protection and Critical illness Insurance scheme available for all permanent employees. 

If you are ready to bring your comms and engagement skills to this awesome role, we would love to hear from you!

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply: 

Please click apply to upload your CV and cover letter detailing your suitability for the role.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

For further information, email: [email protected]

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.