This is a rare and exciting opportunity to become the inaugural Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Raukūmara Pae Maunga and lead one of the most significant ecological and cultural restoration programmes in Aotearoa.

Raukūmara Pae Maunga is addressing decades of neglect and taking decisive action to restore the mauri of Raukūmara - a mountain to sea forest ecosystem on the East Coast of the North Island, a region of environmental and economic importance, cultural revitalisation and incredible community resilience. As a newly registered charity, the organisation is at a transformational stage of its journey. Guided by the kaupapa “Kia haumanu te mauri o te Raukūmara”, the Trust is seeking an agile, values-driven leader to achieve ecological and cultural restoration and revitalisation through strong operational delivery, partnership with iwi and communities, securing sustainable funding and alignment to the Trust’s governance strategy:

• Toitū Te Raukūmara – Raukūmara Restoration
• Rangatiratanga – Agile Leadership and Systems Thinking
• Oranga Tangata – People Restoration

  

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership for Raukūmara Pae Maunga and be responsible for a specialist team implementing large-scale ecosystem recovery initiatives. 

• Overall management and leadership of kaimahi
• Full operational oversight, fostering innovative systems and workflows
• Financial stewardship, including sustainability, commercial outcomes and fund generation
• Leadership of large-scale ecological restoration operations (including pest control, monitoring and restoration programmes)
• Community, iwi and stakeholder relationship development and engagement
• Representation and liaison with central and local government, the Department of Conservation and funders (including at sector and international environmental forums)
• Strategic input and implementation of the Trust’s strategic directives
• Building a cohesive and agile leadership team and a strong organisational culture
• Oversight of HR systems, processes and legal compliance
• Leadership of a health and safety-focused workforce and operation
• Driving innovation in conservation practice, restoration methods, technology and iwi-led environmental enterprise

  

You will be an experienced leader with a strong operational and financial capability and a proven ability to deliver complex programmes.

• 3–5+ years’ leadership experience in conservation, land restoration, environmental management or primary industries
• Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary teams
• Strong financial and operational management capability, including fundraising experience
• Experience engaging with government agencies and funders
• Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with iwi and hapū and uphold tikanga
• Experience leading an iwi-based organisation or kaupapa Māori entity (preferred and highly advantageous)
• Experience working across both Māori and mainstream organisations, including international organisations (preferred)
• Experience managing complex mahi programmes and large-scale operations
• Strong relationship-building, communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• A values-driven, agile and systems-thinking leadership style

  

This role attracts a competitive remuneration package including a work vehicle, reflecting the seniority, responsibility and strategic importance of the position.

• The opportunity to lead a nationally significant ecological and cultural restoration initiative, with international relevance
• A high-impact, legacy leadership role with an intergenerational kaupapa
• The ability to shape and grow a new organisation from the ground up
• Strong governance support from an engaged Board of Trustees
• A values-driven organisational kaupapa and strong iwi partnerships
• Professional autonomy and influence at a national level with international aspirations

Could you be the first CEO of this unique and leading organisation?

This is a legacy leadership role for a person who wants to shape and scale one of New Zealand’s most important ecological and cultural restoration initiatives and leave a lasting impact for future generations.  The location of the key office of the Chief Executive Officer is negotiable, with a preference of being located within the Eastern Bay of Plenty or Tairawhiti confirmed. 

All applications must be submitted via our online application portal.

For further information, including a detailed position description, please contact Tammy-Lee Holmes: 

jobs@peoplehq.nz 

0800 4 PPLHQ 

The successful candidate must be able to meet the requirements of background checks and have the right to work in New Zealand.

Applications close: Thursday 26 February 2026