Te Tari Whakatau, the Office of Treaty Settlements and Takutai Moana, exists to complete Treaty of Waitangi settlements and administer the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011. A departmental agency hosted by the Ministry of Justice, Te Tari Whakatau operates at the heart of the Crown–Māori relationship, guided by the values of Mahi Tahi, Pono ki te kaupapa and Atawhaitia.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, the Deputy Chief Executive, Takutai Moana & Legal Services provides strategic oversight of the Takutai Moana work programme including both Crown engagement and court pathways. This role holds executive accountability for the leadership, performance and operating model for the legal function of Te Tari Whakatau.

We are seeking an experienced leader who will take an enterprise view first, without losing sight of portfolio delivery.  They will bring clarity and discipline to a regime with system-wide implications, while maintaining strong relationships across a Crown-Māori context.

Key responsibilities include:

You will be a seasoned executive leader with significant legal leadership experience, a strong track record of delivery, political judgement and a track record of leading in complex, high-stakes environments. You will bring experience building trusted relationships with Ministers, government agencies, hapū, iwi and Māori. An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, together with capability in te ao Māori and tikanga Māori, will enable you to operate effectively in the Crown–Māori context in which Te Tari Whakatau works.