Kaiarahi Matua

Are you passionate about building strong relationships and creating lasting impact?
- Are you ready to lead partnership work that makes a difference for people and place?
- Lead iwi engagement across our Auckland Inner Islands District
- Understand and deliver on treaty settlement obligations across the Auckland Inner Islands
- Salary ranges from $80,054 to $101,142 depending on skills and experience
- Permanent full-time role | based in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland

**Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Turoa**
**The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.**
**Ko ta Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora ano hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.**

**Mo te turanga | About the role**
This Kaiarahi Matua role is pivotal in strengthening Treaty partnerships and supporting the Te Papa Atawhai Department of Conservation to meet settlement commitments across the Auckland Inner Islands district.

You will lead iwi engagement for the district, with a particular focus on developing and maintaining strong, enduring relationships with Ngati Paoa and the Marutuahu Collective. You will guide iwi participation in statutory and business planning processes, support the delivery of iwi-led projects, and ensure effective reporting and coordination across teams.

You will also play a key role in implementing 'Whaia ki a Tata', a regional strategy that aims to enhance DOC's ability to give effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to work effectively alongside whanau, hapu and iwi.

The Auckland Inner Islands team manage the inner islands of the Hauraki Gulf, Hauturu-o-Toi, Kawau, Motuora, Tiritiri Matangi, Rangitoto, Te Motutapu-a-Taikehu, Te Motu-a-Ihenga (Motuihe) and Waiheke. The team delivers a range of heritage, visitor, community, treaty and biodiversity work programmes, managing a number of threatened species such as the takahe, hihi and kiwi.

The position will be focussed on:

- Lead iwi engagement across the Auckland Inner Islands District, with a focus on relationships with Ngati Paoa and the Marutuahu Collective
- Support the rollout of work scheduling and reporting for Treaty settlement commitments
- Maintain a strong understanding of relationship agreements between Auckland iwi and the Crown
- Support the implementation of the Whaia ki a Tata district strategic plan
- Facilitate regular hui and coordination with whanau, hapu and iwi
- Maintain an understanding of DOC's decision-making framework around concessions
- Support opportunities for whanau, hapu and iwi to build their internal capability as kaitiaki Keep up to date with the iwi landscape in Auckland and share insights with the Operations team

**Click here for the Role Description**

**Nga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experience**
You will bring a strong background in relationship management, engagement, and communication, and be passionate about fostering effective Treaty partnerships. You will be a natural leader with a collaborative mindset, able to build trust and credibility through authentic relationships.

Your deep understanding of te ao Maori, combined with strong self-awareness and emotional intelligence, will allow you to work confidently and respectfully with whanau, hapu and iwi.

If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:

- A strong commitment to giving effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of Treaty settlement processes and DOC obligations
- Experience in statutory processes and implementation
- High-level planning, strategic thinking and regulatory knowledge
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distil complex information clearly
- A proactive, collaborative approach to issue management and problem-solving
- Proven experience working with whanau, hapu and iwi, with sound knowledge of te ao Maori and te reo me ona tikanga
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build networks that deliver shared outcomes
- Authenticity and integrity in all interactions with our Treaty Partners Authenticity and integrity in your support and collaboration with our Treaty Partners New Zealand full drivers' licence

**He aha nga painga mou? | What's in it for you?**
DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default. You can learn more about what we offer here.

We support flexible work arrangements for our kamahi who are working in a wide variety of roles and locations across Aotearoa. Flexible options will be considered based on your role and in discussion with your leader.

If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

The salary range for this position is $80,054 to $101,142 wit