Pou Tairangahau

• Ko koe te Pou Tairangahau hou i Te Papa Atawhai i te rōhe ō Whakatū?
• Lead our region's approach to sustain enduring relationships with whānau, hapū, and iwi.
• Provide strategic Māori advice and cultural leadership to deliver meaningful conservation outcomes in the region.

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.
The Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai is committed to being an honourable Treaty Partner. The Pou Tairangahau, Whakatū, will support us to enable our kaimahi to sustain authentic and meaningful relationships that support the aspirations of whānau, hapū and iwi Māori and reflect the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in conservation delivery.

Mō te tūranga | About the role
Supporting our Kaihautū Matarautaki / Operations Director for the Northern South Island region, this is an influential and strategic role that will see you influence our region's approach and engagement with whānau, hapū and Iwi from Ngāti Waewae in the west, the eight Iwi of Te Tau Ihu, Ngāti Kurī to the east and mata waka within the region.

This role will call on your mātauranga and experience of Tikanga Māori and Te Ao Māori, commitment and passion for Te Taiao, and ability to work strategically and collaboratively to influence a better future for this region.

This role will:

• Support Kaihautū Matarautaki relationships with whānau, hapū and iwi, including current collective and individual settlements in the region,
• Provide strategic Māori advice and direction to Kaihautū Matarautaki and members of regional leadership team,
• Work as a member of our regional leadership team to refine our approach to building relational understanding of the region's whanau, hapū, iwi, other Māori Authorities and provide guidance to the Kaihautū Matarautaki and senior staff,
• Provide regional leadership on the implementation of treaty settlements at place, in support of accountable managers and the Treaty Ranger role,
• Identify, relationship, support or lead opportunities to work with whanau, hapū, Iwi, Māori authorities and marae,
• Work on national priorities, systems, policies, and strategies where required by DOC's national Treaty Relationships Group, which has been agreed with the Pou Tairangahau and the Kaihatu Matarautaki,
• Hold international, national and regional relationships relevant to the region,
• Support hosting of VIP's, dignitaries and kaumātua external and internal to Aotearoa New Zealand,
• Maintain a contact database for Iwi Chairs and GMs/CEO together with Māori authorities and marae.

Travel will be required across the Northern South Island region, and from time to time around the motu.

This role is a full time, permanent position. This role is expected to work flexible hours as and when required.

He kōrero mōu | What we are looking for
You will be kaupapa driven, fluent (or progressing towards fluency) in Te Reo Māori and have a strong knowledge of tikanga and kawa. Proven relationship management experience is needed to assist you to engage and work in partnership with whanau, hapū, iwi, Māori authorities and marae.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• Proven relationship management/ governance experience to engage and work in partnership with whanau, hapū and iwi, Māori authorities, marae, kaumatua and the Hapori.
• Strong knowledge of tikanga and kawa both on and off the marae.
• Confidence in and respect for Te Ao Māori.
• Demonstrated advisory and senior-level experience.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong understanding and knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, its principles, and implications on society and conservation.
• Knowledge and experience working with iwi, businesses, government departments, and local authorities is desirable. And be available to support in Emergency Management as and when required.

It is also highly desirable to have existing relationships or understanding of the iwi landscape across the Northern South Island Region.

Click Here For The Job Description.
Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What's in it for you?
The Department of Conservation /Te Papa Atawhai 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.

Benefits
You can learn more about what we offer here.

Tono ināianei | Apply now
If you require any adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do let us know.

Apply online via the DOC Careers Centre with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai.

Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.

The salary range for this position is $104,125 to $139,500 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.

Rā katinga | Applications close
at 11:59pm on Monday 12 January 2026.

Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries
, please feel free to contact Annie Colebrook