_{25th September, 2026}

Strengthening Education

Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | The Ministry of Education (Te Tāhuhu) plays a critical role in shaping New Zealand's education system to deliver equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners. We are reshaping how Te Tāhuhu is organised to sharpen our focus on core priorities, be outward-facing and evidence-led, and build a strong organisational culture. We are seeking exceptional leaders who can navigate complexity, lead change, and deliver meaningful outcomes for learners and educators nationally.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

The General Manager, Systems Stewardship and Performance contributes to the collective leadership and governance of Te Tāhuhu, helping to deliver our purpose and embed the strategic vision. You will be responsible for strengthening system integrity, visibility and trust by ensuring Māori learner outcomes, investment decisions and partnerships are aligned, transparent and continuously improving.

You will define and monitor Māori learner outcomes and system performance, integrating data, insights and evidence to inform decisions and improvement, and maintaining a system-wide view of performance across regions, portfolios and services. You will provide integrated stewardship of investment, strategic relationships with iwi and Māori partners, Te Tiriti o Waitangi | the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti) settlement commitments, and flagship programmes including the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships, ensuring these collectively shape system direction, delivery and outcomes for Māori learners.

As a General Manager, you will support the organisation to build workforce capability, create a safe, positive and inclusive workplace, and strengthen the Māori-Crown relationship by role modelling authentic practice, developing partnerships and collaborating with stakeholders across the public sector and education system to shape priorities and deliver outcomes for the sector.

About you | Mōhou ake

You are a senior leader with strong strategic, analytical and conceptual thinking, with an understanding of Māori education provision - te reo, tikanga and mātauranga Māori, and the credibility to steward investment, partnerships and Te Tiriti commitments across a complex, whole-of-system environment.

You will bring:

• Experience in a senior role with a high level of strategic, analytical and conceptual thinking in a complex environment
• Respected leader with an understanding of te reo, tikanga and mātauranga Māori
• Practitioner who possesses the ability and experience of operating through an ao Māori lens
• Experience developing and delivering integrated strategic and operational plans and budgets
• Experience leading the implementation, monitoring and improvement of organisational systems, frameworks and processes
• Demonstrated ability to comprehend and navigate complex environments, analysing the broader ‘whole-of-system’ impact
• Proven ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities, and to inform system-level decision making
• A proven track record of building and maintaining trusted relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, Māori and iwi, and Ministers
• Sound machinery of government knowledge, with a proven ability to navigate ambiguity in a complex environment.

  
About the group | Mātau rōpū ake

This role sits within Te Pou Tuarongo | Māori Education, the business group responsible for strengthening system integrity, visibility and trust across Māori Education. As part of the senior leadership team, you will help ensure Māori learner outcomes, investment and partnerships are aligned and continuously improving.

Ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

If you're a senior leader who can turn complex, whole-of-system data into clear direction, and steward investment and partnerships that improve outcomes for Māori learners, this is your chance to shape systems stewardship and performance across Aotearoa's education system.

This recruitment is managed exclusively by Rothley. Please contact info@rothley.co.nz for a position description or call Kirsty Brown on 021 660 757 or Hannah Anderson on 027 637 1382 for a confidential conversation.
  
Please apply with an up-to-date CV and cover letter.  Applications close 14 October.
  
  
  
We want our candidates to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

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