Kaiurungi, People

Ka pu te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi Lead the People & Culture team's Te Tiriti journey, shaping AUT's transformation towards true Tiriti partnershipBe the inaugural Kaiurungi of People & CultureThis is a permanent, full-time position based at AUT's City CampusEnjoy flexible working arrangementsAuckland University of Technology (AUT) is a university of opportunity, committed to creating an environment where kaimahi Maori can thrive and lead. With more than 27,000 students and 4,000 kaimahi across our Auckland campuses, AUT is driven to bring equity, cultural safety, and te ao Maori into every aspect of the university.
Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned Te Tiriti expert to take AUT further on its journey of embedding Te Tiriti across the organisation. As the inaugural Kaiurungi, you'll step into a senior role where AUT's leadership is not only on board but ready to back this kaupapa fully. The focus is clear—making sure Te Tiriti obligations are embedded in a meaningful way, with tikanga woven into the core work of AUT, including within People & Culture.
You'll be joining a People & Culture team that's not just talking the talk but fully committed to making this happen. Alongside you, a dedicated Maori recruiter will also be brought on board, reporting to you and working alongside to drive AUT's Te Ao Maori strategy in recruitment and hiring. You'll ensure Maori are at the heart of AUT's workforce, sitting at the decision-making tables, with the mahi being genuinely impactful and mana-enhancing at every step.
Key focus areas include:
Embedding Te Tiriti into AUT's core practices—ensuring that AUT's obligations translate into real action, with tikanga and te ao Maori deeply embedded in the culture and operations of the university.Leading cultural capability initiatives across the P&C team - embedding Te Ao Maori and tikanga into day-to-day mahi.Building strong, mana-enhancing partnerships across AUT, helping leadership and teams bring Te Tiriti to life in their own work.Working alongside the Tiriti Strategist and senior leaders to make sure AUT stays true to its strategic vision, with Te Aronui firmly steering the waka.Supporting the success and wellbeing of kaimahi Maori, ensuring AUT is a place where Maori talent can thrive.He korero mou | About you We're looking for someone who's ready to hit the ground running—someone with deep experience and knowledge of te ao Maori, tikanga, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. You know how to lead with integrity and embed tikanga into the fabric of an organisation. Whether your background is in HR, strategy, or another sector, what matters is your ability to influence and lead in a way that makes a real difference for Maori.
Your skills in building trust, fostering collaboration, and creating safe spaces for kaimahi to grow will be critical. This role isn't for someone who wants to stay behind the scenes—it's for someone ready to step up and lead AUT into this next phase.
You will also have:
Experience providing cultural advisory and embedding Maori values within organisational processes.Proficiency in te reo Maori (fluency highly desirable).Lived experience and deep knowledge of te ao Maori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.Experience working with Maori stakeholders, including mana whenua, iwi, and community groups.An understanding of equity and diversity issues in New Zealand, particularly as they relate to kaimahi Maori.The skill and experience to navigate both Maori and tau iwi worlds, fostering collaboration and understanding across different perspectives.Nga ahuatanga kei a matou | What we offer AUT is committed to your growth and development, offering a supportive and empowering environment where kaimahi Maori can thrive. 
We offer:
A Maori staff leadership programmeAn annual professional development fund of $1,000Free study at AUT (with tuition fees waived for almost all courses)An environment that's committed and ready to back the mahi you'll leadMe pehea te tuku tono | How to apply To apply, please do so via SEEK. For any patai or a confidential korero, contact Junelle Kunin at (email protected).