_{05th May, 2026}

The Crown Forestry Rental Trust (the Trust) is an independent organisation established to provide funding that supports Māori claimants to participate effectively in Waitangi Tribunal inquiries and Treaty settlement negotiations involving Crown forest licensed land.
While the Trust is a sunset organisation, currently expected to operate until at least 2035, it continues to carry significant operational responsibilities - managing substantial funding flows, complex client relationships, and periods of heightened activity as iwi progress through settlement processes.
We are now seeking a new Chief Executive to lead the Trust through its next phase of maturity: maintaining continuity, confidence and credibility, while ensuring the Trust remains resilient, principled and fit‑for‑purpose for the remainder of its mandate.

He angitūtanga | The opportunity

This is a hands‑on, stewardship‑focused executive role at the centre of a small, deeply experienced organisation, operating in complex Treaty, Iwi and Crown environments where judgement, calm leadership and reliability matter.
As Chief Executive, you will:

• Provide grounded executive leadership across the Trust’s operations, funding functions, financial stewardship and people leadership,
• Act as a trusted conduit between Trustees, staff, clients and stakeholders,
• Hold and directly manage a defined portfolio of client, funding and operational work,
• Ensure high‑quality board papers, disciplined governance processes, and clear risk reporting are delivered consistently,
• Lead organisational resilience: actively reducing key‑person risk, strengthening documentation and capability coverage, and ensuring continuity through inevitable change and fluctuation of requirements,
• Maintain the Trust’s reputation as a principled, impartial and trusted funding body within Māori, Iwi and Crown contexts.

The role may be appointed full‑time, or on a flexible / reduced hours basis (no less than 0.8 FTE) for the right candidate - with emphasis placed on availability, judgement and impact.

He kōrero mōu ake | About you

You are a senior leader with strong operational capability, able to lead a small, highly capable team and exercise sound judgement over significant assets and complex arrangements.
You bring:

• Proven experience working closely with Boards and Trustees, with strong governance literacy and confidence preparing and presenting complex decision papers.
• Deep understanding of the Treaty sector, including Waitangi Tribunal processes, settlement negotiations, and the broader machinery of government.
• Strong financial acumen, with the ability to understand risk, forecasting and counterparty exposure, and to lead calmly through periods of uncertainty.
• Experience managing funding, contracts and client relationships where decisions are material, sensitive and require careful, well‑reasoned judgement.
• Cultural intelligence and confidence working in Māori contexts, with sound understanding of tikanga, te reo Māori, and iwi dynamics.
• Leadership grounded in judgement and respect, knowing when to lead from the front and when to support from behind, always maintaining strong relationships, staff wellbeing and institutional integrity.

You are motivated by responsibility and service, committed to leading well over time and ensuring that people, resources and relationships are managed with care, consistency and integrity.

Tono mai | Apply

If you are interested in leading a respected Treaty‑sector organisation through its next phase with clarity, care and composure, we welcome your application.
For a confidential kōrero or a copy of the position description, please contact:

Carl Church
Waea: 021 166 6441
Īmēra: carl.church@nicherecruitment.co.nz

Applications close on: 25 May 2026

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