Tumuaki Maori

Senior Maori leadership role with strategic and operational influence
- Build strong partnerships and cultural capability across the organisation
- Develop internal systems and procedures that support staff to engage effectively with iwi
- Support planning and infrastructure programmes to achieve Te Mana o te Wai

This is a permanent opportunity for you to increase tikanga Maori and organisation cultural capabilities during a period of reset on how water services in our region are delivered.

**The opportunity**

We are seeking a skilled and respected Te Ao Maori leader to join our team as Tumuaki Maori - Principal Maori Advisor. This is a permanent, senior-level opportunity to strengthen the organisation's capability in Te Ao Maori and support the successful delivery of our strategic outcomes across water infrastructure, planning, and service delivery.

This position offers a rewarding mix of strategic leadership, systemic capability building, iwi relationship management, and cultural advice. You will report directly to the Chief Executive and play a visible and valued role in influencing our strategic direction and major programmes of work. You will represent the CE/Board Chair at important hui if they are unable to attend.

With changes to how water services are delivered within the Wellington region, this is your opportunity to make a difference by improving our internal systems and supporting the successful delivery of our strategic outcomes across water infrastructure, planning, and service delivery.

**About you**

**To be successful in this role you will**:

- have comprehensive understanding of Te ao Maori, tikanga Maori and the principals of Te Mana o te Wai
- have experience building cultural frameworks specifically related to Te ao Maori practices and capability development
- provide high-quality cultural and strategic advice to the Chief Executive, ELT and Board
- strengthen our systems and processes and lead our relationships with iwi
- support and influence the operations, capital and planning programmes to give effect to Te Mana o Te Wai
- work across the organisation to embed tikanga Maori, Te Reo and Te Ao Maori perspectives
- lead and develop a small, high-performing team delivering Maori engagement and capability improvement initiatives

**Benefits**

At Wellington Water, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.

**Our benefits include the following**:

- Flexible working arrangements including up to two days working from home per week
- Comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annually
- Formal and informal professional development opportunities
- Five weeks annual leave accrual will be available following two years of continual service

For a full list of our employee benefits: click here.

**About us**

Wellington Water is the professional water services provider across Greater Wellington and South Wairarapa. Our job is to provide safe and healthy drinking water, collect and treat wastewater, and ensure the stormwater network is well managed. We're a multi-council owned entity, tasked to manage the infrastructure and deliver water services to our communities.

The value of water (a precious taonga) sits at our organisational heart. Our people are passionate about providing waters services for our communities and environment which is reflective in our values; Tangata Tiaki, Whanau and Mana.

**Applications close: Sunday, 3 August 2025.**

**How to apply**

To view a copy of the position description: click here.

Please note this position is a safety-sensitive role and will require you to undertake a pre-employment drug and alcohol screen. You must also be legally entitled to work in New Zealand long term to be considered.