14th October, 2026
Mō Te Puni Kōkiri | About Te Puni Kōkiri
Te Puni Kōkiri is the Government’s principal policy advisor on Māori wellbeing and iwi and Māori relationships with the Crown whilst working to advance the aspirations of whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori.
Guided by our vision of Thriving Whānau - recognising that when whānau thrive, so too do communities, hapū, iwi and Aotearoa - this is an exciting time to join Te Puni Kōkiri and help shape the Ministry’s future influence, impact and contribution to outcomes for Māori.
Mō te tūranga | About the role
Reporting directly to the Secretary for Māori Development, you will act as a key conduit between Te Puni Kōkiri, the Minister for Māori Development, Ministers' offices, central agencies and senior public sector leaders, helping ensure Te Puni Kōkiri is well positioned to deliver its priorities and maximise its impact for whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori.
The Chief of Staff will often represent the Secretary in meetings, discussions and engagements, carrying their authority, trust and confidence and helping advance the agency’s priorities and strategic objectives. This includes engaging with Ministers, senior public sector leaders, Māori leaders and other key stakeholders on the Secretary's behalf when required. Success requires someone with the judgement, integrity and political acuity to know when to act, when to challenge, and when to escalate.
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will help connect people, priorities and information across the organisation, coordinate responses to complex and sensitive issues, and ensure critical decisions are translated into action.
Key aspects of the role include:
- Acting as a trusted adviser and sounding board to the Secretary for Māori Development.
- Providing strategic advice on complex organisational, political and system issues.
- Supporting and enhancing the effectiveness of the Executive Leadership Team.
- Leading and coordinating cross-organisational priorities and sensitive issues.
- Supporting the Secretary’s relationships and influence across government and Māori settings.
- Contributing to the stewardship, performance and future direction of Te Puni Kōkiri.
Mōu | About you You will be a seasoned public sector leader, with the credibility and confidence to operate effectively in complex, high-trust environments.
With a deep understanding of the machinery of government and the political landscape, you will have a proven track record advising Chief Executives, Ministers and senior decision-makers.
You will bring credibility with Māori leaders, iwi, Māori organisations and communities, underpinned by a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges shaping Māori social, economic and cultural development. Grounded in te Ao Māori, you will build trusted relationships and operate confidently across both government and Māori settings.
As the successful candidate, you will bring:
- Significant senior leadership experience within the public sector or a similarly complex environment.
- Deep knowledge of the machinery of government and the political operating environment.
- Outstanding strategic thinking and analytical capability.
- Exceptional relationship management, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and confidence operating within Te Ao Māori and tikanga Māori environments.
- The confidence to challenge thinking, test assumptions and provide robust advice, while maintaining trusted relationships and collective ownership of decisions.
- A reputation for integrity, discretion and sound judgement.
Me pēhea te tono | To apply To request an information pack, or for a confidential discussion regarding the role, please contact:
Carl Church, Kaiwhakahaere Matua | Managing Director, Niche Recruitment
021 166 6441 | carl.church@nicherecruitment.co.nz
Moana Temel, Kaiwhakahaere | Director, Niche Recruitment
021 499 902 | moana.temel@nicherecruitment.co.nz
Applications close at 9am Monday 2 November 2026.
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