Adviser, Indigenous Forestry

**Indigenous Forestry Adviser**

**Role type**: Permanent, full-time

**Location**: Rotorua

**Salary Band & range**:General Salary Range F:$76,463 to $89,215

**About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga**

We are seeking an Indigenous Forestry Adviser to join our Forestry Operations team in Rotorua. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the sustainable management of Aotearoa's indigenous forests and support the implementation of the Forests Act 1949.

You'll work directly with landowners, iwi, and stakeholders to provide technical forestry advice, ensure compliance with the Forests Act, and support the development of indigenous forest management opportunities. As a warranted Forestry Officer, you'll play a key role in field-based compliance and enforcement and collaborate with MPI's Compliance and Prosecution teams where required.

This role also involves cross-agency coordination and policy development at a more senior level.

Key responsibilities include:

- Implementing the Forests Act 1949 provisions relating to indigenous forest management
- Conducting field-based auditing, compliance and enforcement as a warranted Forestry Officer
- Providing technical forestry advice to landowners and stakeholders to support sustainable forest management
- Supporting policy development and operational input into broader land management initiatives
- Building and maintaining relationships with iwi, Maori organisations, government agencies, and other stakeholders
- Maintaining a high level of physical fitness to undertake fieldwork in challenging terrain

**About You - Mou**

You are passionate about indigenous forestry and committed to protecting and enhancing Aotearoa's native forest resources. You bring strong technical knowledge, excellent relationship management skills, and a collaborative approach to working with a diverse range of stakeholders.

You will bring:

- A tertiary qualification in forestry, ecology, plant biology, environmental science or equivalent experience
- Experience working in field-based roles, including in remote and rugged terrain
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills
- Experience engaging with Maori organisations and tangata whenua

You must have a current full New Zealand driver licence (not temporary, learner, or restricted) or equivalent full foreign drivers' licence, and any endorsements required for the type of driving you'll be doing

Please note this role requires frequent travel, including some overnight trips.

**About the Team - Mo to matou Ropu**

This role sits within Te Uru Rakau - New Zealand Forest Service, part of the Forestry Operations Directorate. Our team is focused on delivering regulatory and operational functions that support sustainable forest management and indigenous forestry development across Aotearoa.

**About MPI - Mo te Manatu Ahu Matua**

We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki - guardianship of our natural resources.

**Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua**
- Additional MPI leave days
- Annual wellness payment
- Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to corrective lenses/frames

**Low level Security Clearance**
- most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has **resided continuously in New Zealand**for at least the last **five (5) years**, OR
- is a citizen of, **and/or has resided continuously** in one or more of the following countries for the last **five (5) years**: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); **and** has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
- click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.
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**Drug and Alcohol Screening -**Whakamatau Whakapoauau me te Waipiro**

**Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi whaitake?**

In your cover letter, tell us about your values, motivations, and the strengths and perspectives you bring to this role.

**Applications close at 11:59pm Sunday 2 November 2025.**

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