NIWA is a dynamic research organisation and New Zealand’s largest and pre-eminent provider of climate, freshwater and marine science. Our core purpose is to enhance the economic value and sustainable management of New Zealand’s aquatic resources and environments, to provide an understanding of climate and the atmosphere, and increase resilience to weather and climate hazards to improve safety and wellbeing of New Zealanders.

Our Te Kūwaha team is a key resource within NIWA, providing expertise in environmental research with a strong Māori focus. The vision of Te Kūwaha is to position NIWA as Āotearoa’s leading and trusted science provider of innovative water and atmospheric research solutions in collaborative partnerships that benefit hapū, iwi, Māori communities and Māori business.

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic cultural practitioner to join the team as a Pou Ārahi – Māori Development Leader. While this position will be based in Christchurch, the appointee will work closely with two other Pou Ārahi already based in Hamilton and Wellington respectively and will engage with NIWA staff throughout the country as well as at their base location. You must therefore be willing and able to undertake business travel around New Zealand.

As the Pou Ārahi – Māori Development Leader, you will build and continuously strengthen our strategic relationships with hapū, iwi, Māori communities and Māori business in order to respond to Māori research priorities and aspirations. The second key responsibility is to strengthen and reinvigorate NIWA’s bicultural organisational capability and capacity to enable staff to engage with hapū, iwi, Māori communities and Māori business with confidence.

What you will bring :

  • A cultural practitioner of Te reo Māori and tikanga Māori
  • Experience in managing multiple key strategic relationships proactively and effectively alongside conflict resolution experience
  • Extensive experience in facilitating engagement, liaising and working with whānau, hapū, iwi, Māori organisations and Māori communities
  • A tertiary qualification (Bachelor’s level or above) in a relevant scientific discipline, environmental sciences, environmental management, Māori Development and/or social sciences
  • Successful experience of leading organisational policy development and implementation
  • Experience in leading, planning and implementing bicultural organisational development activities within mainstream organisations
  • Extensive knowledge of Te Ao Māori and the natural environment
  • It would be an advantage if you have (1) extensive networks and relationships with hapū, iwi, Māori communities, and Māori businesses in the South Island, and (2) previous experience of working in a research and/or science environment.

    We don’t expect perfection in our candidates – if you think you have what it takes, but don’t meet every point referenced in the position description, please still get in touch!

    NIWA offers flexible working options (e.g., part-time, flexible start and finish times). We are happy to discuss potential flexible options for this position at the interview stage.

    NIWA promotes the importance and value of an inclusive and diverse workforce, including the Rainbow Community, and pride ourselves on being a family-friendly and supportive workplace.

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