This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join Raukūmara Pae Maunga as an Operations Lead / Mana Hautū a pivotal leadership role based in Te Kaha that sits at the heart of 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. Guided by the kaupapa "Kia haumanu te mauri o te Raukūmara", the Trust is building a specialist team to implement large-scale ecosystem recovery at a landscape scale.

Reporting to the Pou Whakatamore (Chief Executive Officer), the Mana Hautū is responsible for leading and coordinating site-based operations at Te Kaha to ensure effective delivery of environmental restoration, pest control and community engagement activities. This role is also the key outward-facing representative for Raukūmara Pae Maunga operations at site, fostering and maintaining strong local relationships with iwi, hapū, stakeholders and the wider community.

This is a collaborative, hands-on operational leadership role that requires a person who can provide unified direction on the ground while maintaining strong alignment with the wider organisation.

• Accountable for day-to-day site operations, including delivery of pest control, monitoring, planting and community engagement activities.
• Providing unified direction for programme planning in conjunction with Team Leads.
• Implementing and maintaining Health & Safety measures across all site activities.
• Acting as the key outward-facing representative for site operations in collaboration with iwi, hapū, relevant stakeholders and trustees.
• Budget holder responsibilities as delegated by the Pou Whakatamore, including preparing site budgets and monitoring expenditure.
• Leading kaimahi in a way that inspires trust, respect and continuous improvement, including setting expectations, monitoring performance and supporting development.
• Contributing to annual planning, operational forecasting and strategic priorities.
• Coordinating and collaborating with the other Mana Hautū to ensure continuity of leadership, coverage and consistent decision-making across operational areas.

  

You will be an experienced operational leader with a proven ability to deliver complex field-based programmes, strong relationship management skills, and a genuine commitment to kaupapa Māori values and kaitiakitanga.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Demonstrated leadership experience in conservation, land restoration, environmental management, biodiversity operations, or related primary industry sectors.
• Proven experience leading teams and coordinating field-based or operational work programmes.
• Strong operational planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise across multiple workstreams.
• Sound financial literacy and experience managing or contributing to budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with iwi/hapū and uphold tikanga and kaupapa Māori values in operational delivery.
• Experience engaging effectively with stakeholders including landowners, community groups, contractors and public agencies.
• Working knowledge of Health & Safety obligations within field-based environments.

  

The following experience will be advantageous:

• Formal qualification in management, environmental science, conservation, forestry, natural resource management, or a related discipline.
• Leadership experience within Māori organisations or kaupapa Māori environments.
• Experience in pest control, monitoring systems, GIS/mapping, restoration planning, or environmental programme delivery.

  

This role offers a competitive salaried remuneration package, reflecting the seniority and operational importance of the position.

Additional benefits include:

• The opportunity to be part of a nationally significant ecological and cultural restoration initiative.
• A values-driven organisational kaupapa with strong iwi partnerships.
• The ability to lead meaningful, place-based mahi with genuine community impact.
• A supportive leadership team and a collaborative, inclusive workplace culture.

  

Are you ready to lead at the place where the restoration begins? This is your opportunity to be part of something truly generational mahi that will leave a lasting legacy for the Raukūmara and its people.

The location of this role is Te Kaha.

All applications must be submitted via our online application portal. For further information, including a detailed position description, please contact PeopleHQ:

Email:  jobs@peoplehq.nz

Phone:  0800 4 PPLHQ

The successful candidate must be able to meet the requirements of background checks, including a police vetting check, validated identity, reference checks and hold a full drivers licence. The successful candidate must also have the right to work in New Zealand.

Applications close:  Friday 10 June 2026 (Matariki)