Poutoko Ture Aporei

Te Puni Kōkiri leads policy advice to the Government on Māori development, and Iwi and Māori relations with the Crown. To do this effectively we must position ourselves to elevate our monitoring and mentoring responsibilities and emphasise our role in holding other agencies to account for delivery of public services to, for and with Māori.

Our Ngā Ratonga Ture tīma | Legal Services Team is looking for a **Poutoko Ture Aporei - Te Tiriti | Principal Solicitor - Treaty.** This role sits within our Corporate puni, reports to the Kaiārahi a Ture | Manager, Legal Services and is a full-time, permanent opportunity.

** Te whai wāhitanga | The opportunity**

The Principal Solicitor - Treaty will assist the Manager, Legal Services to manage legal issues, litigation and litigation adjacent workstreams in the area of Treaty settlements, post settlement commitments and the Māori Crown Relationship.

Other areas you will also be required to advise on include:

- Ministerial powers and responsibilities
- Legal and legislative compliance
- Legislation administered by Te Puni Kōkiri
- Crown Entity monitoring
- Law reform initiatives, policy projects and programme initiatives

The likely appointment range is $133,248 - $153,235 based on skills and experience.

For more information about the skills and experience required for this position, please see the job description below.

** Mōu | About you**
- **Leadership**: 10+ years in senior management within large, complex organisations; proven strategic and operational leadership.
- **Legal Expertise**: Law degree, current practising certificate, and extensive advisory experience on Treaty settlements, post-settlement commitments, and Māori Crown relationships.
- **Māori Engagement**: Strong experience working with hapū, iwi, and Māori communities; deep understanding of te ao Māori and tikanga.
- **Stakeholder Management**: Ability to brief Ministers and senior leaders, maintain trust, and navigate political contexts.
- **Strategic Influence**: Track record leading agency strategies, representing organisations at interagency forums, and resolving complex legal issues.
- **Government Knowledge**: Excellent understanding of the machinery of government; proven ability to lead major projects from conception to completion.
- **Networks**: Established relationships across government and Māori sectors; ability to leverage networks effectively.
- **Language & Cultural Competence**: A level of competency in te reo Māori that will enable you to undertake all the requirements of this position.

**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**

Te Puni Kōkiri is committed to our vision of 'Whānau Taurikura' - 'Thriving Whānau'. We consider that when whānau are thriving, so do their communities, hapū, iwi and all of Aotearoa. This underpins everything we do.

Our people are at the heart of achieving this vision and it is our people who contribute to supporting Māori collective success. They do this by creating and maintaining relationships with iwi, hapū and whānau Māori and government at both a local and national level. It is this that enables Māori participation and success as Māori, and it is our people who will create a future where all whānau can thrive.

Ka akiākina koe kia tukuna mai tō tononga i tēnei rangi tonu, kia whakapāngia rānei tētahi Ringa Taritari e kōrero ai mō ngā painga o tēnei whai wāhitanga, me tōna hāngai ki ō whāinga ā-umanga. Nau mai rā ko ngā tononga i te reo Māori, te reo Pākehā, te reorua rānei.

Ka aukati ngā tono hei te **25 Hakihea 2025** ā te 11.55pm | Applications close on **25 December 2025**at 11.55pm.

Please note, the last day of mahi for the year for Te Puni Kōkiri kaimahi is **Rāmere 19 Hakihea / Friday 19 December.**We will be back at mahi from** Rāhina 5 Kohitātea / Monday 5 January.** We encourage you to reach out to us prior to the break if you have any questions about this role.

**Job Details**:
Reference #
- 16274Posted on
- 15 Dec 2025Closes on
- 26 Dec 2025 00:00Location(s)
- WellingtonExpertise
- LegalJob level(s)
- Senior SolicitorWork type(s)
- Permanent full-time