Aukaha - Te Hiringa, Toi, He Reo Kairangi, He Waka Hiringa

Mō mātou | About us

As a proudly kaupapa Māori tertiary educator, 'tauira success' is our mission and 'whānau transformation through education' is our vision, guiding our commitment to delivering quality education programmes underpinned by Māori culture and values.

Our kaimahi (employees) enjoy a whānau-friendly workplace and a great range of benefits to support their wellbeing and that of their whānau:

• Free Southern Cross health insurance and life insurance.
• Four extra leave days each year to celebrate Matariki and Christmas, plus special leave available for those involved in cultural or sporting events.
• Flexible work hours for non-rostered positions and work-from-home options for positions that can be performed away from the office.
• Free car parking at our main campuses.

Mō tēnei mahi | About this job

We are seeking an exceptional academic leader to serve as Aukaha for Te Hiringa, Toi, He Reo Kairangi, and He Waka Hiringa, responsible for advancing excellence in Indigenous knowledge education, te reo Māori, creative practice, and educational scholarship.

This is a pivotal senior academic leadership position that will shape the strategic direction of our most culturally significant programmes. This whare encompasses Indigenous Knowledge, Te Reo Māori, Education, and Creative Practice degree and postgraduate programmes – all of which are central to our mission of strengthening mātauranga Māori and advancing Māori language revitalisation.

As Aukaha, you will provide visionary academic leadership that privileges mātauranga Māori, champions te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, and advances research excellence grounded in kaupapa Māori methodologies. You will lead programme innovation, foster creative and scholarly excellence, and continue to position these programmes as exemplars of Indigenous education nationally and internationally.

Your leadership will encompass strategic oversight, academic quality assurance and rangahau advancement across disciplines that are foundational to whānau transformation.

This position is permanent, fulltime (37.5 hours per week), based at any one of our sites in Aotearoa.

Mōu | About you

As the Aukaha, you will demonstrate your ability to drive strategic vision for your Whare, champion rangahau excellence and lead cultural guardianship.

You will have:

• PhD in a relevant field related to your portfolio of responsibility or equivalent practice based experience in the field, academic leadership experience and a strong rangahau portfolio
• 10+ years' experience in academic leadership in tertiary education and/or tertiary level rangahau environment
• 10+ years' teaching experience in a tertiary education environment
• Advanced proficiency in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, with demonstrated ability to operate confidently in Māori-medium environments, lead in te reo Māori, and provide cultural and linguistic guidance
• Deep understanding of mātauranga Māori frameworks and their application in contemporary education, with ability to position Indigenous knowledge systems as foundational to scholarship and practice
• Strong commitment to te reo Māori revitalisation and understanding of language planning, language pedagogy, and the role of tertiary education in language revitalisation efforts
• Strategic vision and capability to lead the development and implementation of academic strategy across Indigenous knowledge, te reo Māori, education, and creative practice programmes
• Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships with Māori communities, iwi, hapū, educational institutions, creative sector organisations, and other stakeholders to advance programme excellence and tauira outcomes
• Strong capability in academic quality assurance, including curriculum development, programme review, and maintaining excellence standards across diverse disciplines
• Experience in multidisciplinary academic leadership, with ability to foster collaboration and innovation across Indigenous knowledge, language, education, and creative practice
• Recognition as a respected voice in Indigenous education and scholarship, with credibility and influence in academic and Māori community contexts
• Expertise in one or more of: Indigenous knowledge systems, te reo Māori linguistics or pedagogy, Māori education theory and practice, or Māori creative practice
• International connections with Indigenous education and language revitalisation networks
• Understanding of contemporary debates in Indigenous education policy and practice

Kua whati te tai, tono mai | Apply today

If we've outlined a role that matches your capabilities and aspirations, and a workplace that appeals, apply today as applications will close as soon as we have a suitable shortlist.

A position description is available on our career's website.

For any other queries or for a confidential kōrero email Rebecca Kiddle (Paemanu (Director) Ranghau (Te Manawahoukura), Degree and Postgraduate Delivery)

Position description Apply now

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