Tumuaki Pae Whaitake Tiriti, Deputy Director

Are you a strategic leader with deep experience in Treaty partnerships, te ao Māori, and public sector leadership?
- Join DOC’s Senior Leadership Team and help shape the future of conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Wellington location. Permanent full time.

**Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa**

The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.

Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.

**Mō te tūranga | About the role**

He tūranga nui tēnei hei whakatinana i te hononga Tiriti i runga i te ngākau Māori. Mā tēnei mahi e whakakaha ai te rangapū pono ki ngā whānau, hapū, me ngā iwi puta noa i Aotearoa, ā, ka ū hoki ki ngā mātāpono o te ao Māori. Hei wāhanga o te Tira Tumuaki Matua, ka ārahi te Tumuaki Pae Whaitake Tiritii te whakaūnga o te rautaki a Te Papa Atawhai, te whakawhanake i te mātauranga ahurea o te tari, me te whakahaere i ngā kaupapa matua e ahu mai ana i te ao Māori. Ka āta tirotiro hoki i ngā kawenga Tiriti, ā, ka whakarite kia tū pakari te whakahaere i raro i te maru o te Tiriti o Waitangi. He mahi e whakahonore ana i te mana o te ao Māori, ā, e whakatairanga ana i te kotahitanga o ngā tikanga, ngā wawata, me te tirohanga Māori i roto i ngā mahi a te kāwanatanga.

This is a significant role in realising Treaty partnerships through a Māori lens. It strengthens genuine relationships with whānau, hapū, and iwi across Aotearoa, grounded in the values and principles of te ao Māori. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, the Deputy Director-General will lead the implementation of DOC’s strategy, build the organisation’s cultural knowledge, and oversee key programmes rooted in te ao Māori. The role also ensures oversight of Treaty obligations, helping to ensure the organisation stands strong under the framework of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This is work that honours the mana of te ao Māori and uplifts the unification of Māori worldviews, aspirations, and tikanga within government practice.

You will:

- Drive DOC’s strategic Treaty partnership approach
- Lead the development of enduring relationships with iwi, hapū and whānau, including those in settlement negotiations.
- Oversee Ngā Whenua Rāhui, enhancing biodiversity on whenua Māori.
- Champion the integration of mātauranga Māori and kaupapa Māori methodologies into DOC’s conservation practices.
- Provide assurance and oversight of DOC’s Treaty settlement obligations and performance.
- Convene and support Māori staff networks and capability development across DOC.

**Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience**

To be successful in this role, you will bring a unique blend of strategic leadership, cultural fluency, and deep understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. You will be an experienced executive who can navigate complexity, build trust with iwi and Māori partners, and lead transformational change within a large public sector organisation.

We are looking for someone who has the following skills and experience;
- In-depth knowledge of Māori-Crown relations, kaupapa Māori frameworks, and mātauranga Māori relevant to conservation.
- Executive leadership experience in a large, complex organisation, with a track record of leading change and delivering results.
- Strong people leadership, with the ability to coach, mentor, and inspire senior teams.
- Astute decision-making and strategic reasoning, with the ability to navigate complex systems and high-stakes environments.
- Collaborative leadership, fostering trust and alignment across DOC and with external partners.
- Deep understanding of Treaty settlements, government systems, and public sector processes.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills, able to influence across iwi, government, and international fora.
- Commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing risk and negotiating complex agreements.
- Outstanding communication skills, able to engage sensitively and clearly with diverse audiences.

**He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?**

DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow.

**Our Values**

At The Department of Conservation, everyone’s journey is unique. This is a place where nature thrives because people do. Where your growth fuels our purpose. We are guided by values that matter:

- **Integrity**, because trust and honesty are non-negotiable.
- **Empowerment**, because when we lift each other, we all rise higher.
- **Connection**, because collaboration sparks progress.
- **Achievement**, because results mean more when they create real impact.

The fixed package salary range for this role is between $276,250 - $357,500. Actual appointment will reflect relevant skills and experience.

You must have the right to work in New Zealand and be able to obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearance.

**Rā