Senior Adviser Māori Engagement

Senior Adviser Māori Engagement

• Provide advice to Ministry staff on the Ministry’s relationship with Māori
• Build stronger engagement with Māori, in support of Ministry priorities
• Ensure engagement with Māori is consistent with legislative obligations

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

The Ministry’s Houtina Division supports the Ministry’s mission to build a safer, more prosperous, and more sustainable future for New Zealand.  We work to support New Zealand’s foreign policy objectives, and the Ministry’s commitment to be an honourable Treaty partner through Māori engagement, building Mātauranga Māori capability and the provision of policy advice.

We are seeking a Senior Adviser, Māori Engagement.  As part of the Ministry’s Houtina Division, you will play a key role in strengthening MFAT’s relationships with Iwi, hapū, and Māori stakeholders.   You will support effective Ministry engagement with Māori in support of our foreign policy and broader organisational priorities.  You will play a central role in development and implementation of the Ministry’s Iwi and Māori engagement strategy and provide advice and support to the Ministry’s diplomatic network on engagement with Iwi representatives and Māori. 

Among your key functions, you will:

• Lead formulation of advice on, and delivery of, the Ministry’s engagement with Iwi and Māori in relation to our foreign policy and organisational priorities.
• Provide guidance and support to Ministry leaders and staff in their engagement with Māori, ensuring alignment with the Ministry’s overall strategic objectives to partnership with Māori.
• Work with our Trade and Economic Group to build relationships with Māori trade and economic partners in support of Government economic growth and development objectives.
• Coordinating the Ministry’s engagement with Māori in relation to our obligations in relation to Treaty of Waitangi settlements or Waitangi Tribunal outcomes.  
• Provide advice to the Ministry leadership and staff on meeting relevant legislative and policy requirements.   
• Lead collaboration between the Ministry , Iwi, mana whenua and Māori stakeholders delivery of the Ministry’s Head Office Relocation and Workplace Modernisation Programmes to reflect the Ministry’s values, relationship with Māori and Maori customs and protocols.

For more detail you can request a copy of the position description by emailing recruitment@mfat.govt.nz

The salary range for this role is $124,674 to $146,675 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution. Negotiable depending on skills and experience.

Who are we looking for? Mā‎ wai te mahi nei? 

We’d like to hear from you if you are an experienced professional with the following skills and experience:

• A proven track record of working with Iwi, and Māori.
• Experience in working in, or with, Government.
• Strong understanding of Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Crown-Māori relations.
• A proven ability to deliver on initiatives and programmes.
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Comfort working on complex matters.
• A strong understanding of Māori customs and protocols.
• Proficiency in Te Reo Māori

Why MFAT?  Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Aorere?

We are committed to a focus on leadership, talent, training and development, and flexible work options consistent with guidance from the Public Service Commission.  Check out our benefits page to find out more about why we love working here.

MFAT is Rainbow Tick accredited. We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and a sense of belonging.  We welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. 

About us - Mō mātou 

Our people represent New Zealand on and offshore, and in doing so make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous.  By building connections with and influencing other countries and international institutions, we advance New Zealand’s interests and pursue New Zealand's values.  We provide advice to the Government on the implications for New Zealand of what is happening in the world. 

To Apply/Interested? - Me pēhea te tuku tono

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

To be considered for this position you must be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident and able to obtain and maintain a NZ Government National Security clearance at Confidential level.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Confidential security clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process:

http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

Let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 24 April 2025.

Please note: This is not a Foreign Policy/diplomatic role.  This is a ‘Corporate’ role (known here as a Specialist role) based in central Wellington, NZ.  

While it is not usual for specialist staff to be ‘posted’ outside of NZ, from time to time a specialist role overseas becomes available at one of our embassies, high commissions, missions, or consulates. To be considered for one of these positions you would need to apply and be considered via a competitive recruitment process.

If you do have an interest in an MFAT foreign policy/diplomatic career, you would be welcome to apply for this either via our graduate recruitment or mid-level foreign policy recruitment campaigns.