Kaumātua Whakaruruhau

Tēnā koe. Nau mai ki te Kuratini Tuwhera.

Lower Hutt campus.

Part time (0.4 FTE)

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As Kaumātua – Whakaruruhau, you will provide cultural leadership, support, and spiritual guidance across the organisation. Working within Te Kura Wānanga, our Māori cultural resource centre, you will ensure Mātauranga Māori, tikanga Māori, te reo Māori, and Māori worldviews are authentically embedded in our programmes and practices.

You will:

• Offer expert guidance on tikanga, kawa, te reo, and kaupapa Māori for organisational activities and events.
• Lead or co-lead pōwhiri, whakatau, hui Māori, and other culturally significant occasions.
• Strengthen relationships with mana whenua, iwi, hapū, and hapori to embed Māori perspectives and enhance outcomes for ākonga Māori.
• Collaborate with Pou Tūhono roles to ensure integrity in Māori engagement.
• Provide advice on sensitive cultural and wellbeing matters

Ngā hua o tō tomo mai ki a mātou | Why you should join our team

• Play a pivotal role in shaping cultural capability across the organisation.
• Work in a collaborative environment committed to equity, health, wellbeing, and vocational education excellence

At Open Polytechnic, we're proud to make a meaningful difference in people's lives through accessible education. Here are just a few reasons our team enjoys working here:

• A purpose-driven organisation that transforms lives through learning
• A culture that values work-life balance and wellbeing
• Free on-site car parking
• Subsidised school holiday programmes for your tamariki
• Free fitness classes to support your health and wellbeing
• Great coffee at our on-site café

Ngā pūkenga mo te tūnga | What you will bring to the role

• Recognised standing as a Kaumātua within Māori communities.
• Extensive experience in cultural leadership and guidance, ideally within an academic setting.
• Proficiency in te reo Māori and commitment to ongoing development.
• Strong relationships with mana whenua, iwi, hapū, and hapori Māori.
• Expertise in facilitating pōwhiri, whakatau, hui Māori, and wānanga.
• Degree in Māori Studies, Education, Indigenous Knowledge, or equivalent experience.
• Deep understanding of Mātauranga Māori, tikanga Māori, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Excellent communication skills, including Whaikōrero

Mō mātou | About us

The Kuratini Tuwhera is Aotearoa New Zealand's leading provider of distance and online learning. We specialise in bringing education to our students, supporting the success of approximately 30,000 learners each year.

At Open Polytechnic, you'll be part of an organisation where your work truly makes a difference.

We offer a wide range of programmes—from Real Estate to Social Work, Construction, and Education. Whether you're part of our Academic Staff or our Student Journey Centre, our ākonga are at the heart of everything we do.

We're proud of our kaimahi and deeply value the contributions of every team member.

Tono mai | Apply now

If this role sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Applications must be submitted online via our career's website. For any questions about the role, contact

Applications close 11 pm on 27 November 2025.

Noho ora mai. Tēnā koe.

• Reference:

36433
- Posted:

13 Nov 2025
- Closes:

27 Nov :00
- Expertise:

Māori Services
- Work type:

Part Time
- Location:

Lower Hutt