Job Description
Shape tomorrow in Rotorua: Your career starts here!
Ready to make a lasting impact? Te Kaunihera o ngā Roto o Rotorua | Rotorua Lakes Council is your platform for meaningful change. With a team of over 400 staff, we're committed to forging a better tomorrow for the Rotorua community. In the heart of this thriving city, you'll find yourself immersed in natural wonders like geothermal pools and ngāwha | geysers, while enjoying the exhilarating mountain biking scene. Join a council that thrives on collaboration with Te Arawa, our local iwi, and embraces biculturalism at its core. From the Rotorua Lakefront Redevelopment to hosting the world-renowned Crankworx festival, you'll play a vital role in shaping our city's future. Start your journey with us today!
Kei ā koe te toki, kei ā koe te kuru, whaoa te anamata! You have the chisel, you have the mallet! Join us and carve the future today!
Help shape meaningful partnerships that create lasting outcomes for Māori and our community.
As the heart of the Te Arawa region, Rotorua is a uniquely bicultural city where Māori make up approximately 40% of the population. This rich cultural heritage shapes our identity and provides an opportunity to work in an environment where Te Ao Māori, partnership and community aspirations are genuinely valued.
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Policy Advisor – Māori Partnerships to join our Te Amorangi Unit. This is a pivotal role that will help strengthen relationships with mana whenua, hapū, iwi and Māori organisations while ensuring Council's policies, plans and decision-making reflect our commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and support positive outcomes for Māori.
Reporting to the Kaiwhakatere - Te Amorangi Manager, you will lead the development of high-quality policy advice, undertake complex research and analysis, and provide trusted strategic guidance to Council leaders and elected members. You will play a key role in shaping organisational approaches to Māori partnerships, supporting significant projects and helping to embed Te Ao Māori perspectives into Council's work.
Success in this position will be built on your ability to foster respectful and enduring relationships. You will work closely with mana whenua, Māori land trusts, post-settlement governance entities and a wide range of community and organisational stakeholders. Through your expertise and influence, you will help ensure Māori aspirations and perspectives are understood, valued and integrated into Council planning and decision-making processes.
We are looking for someone with significant policy experience, ideally gained within local or central government, and a strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within the public sector. Your experience working alongside iwi, hapū and Māori organisations will be matched by excellent analytical skills, sound judgement and the ability to translate complex issues into clear and practical advice. You will be confident preparing reports, submissions and recommendations and presenting to senior leaders and governance groups.
Knowledge of Te Ao Māori, tikanga, kawa and mātauranga Māori will be highly valued, along with an understanding of local government legislation and processes. Most importantly, you will bring cultural competence, strategic thinking, initiative and a genuine commitment to building strong partnerships that deliver meaningful outcomes.
If you are passionate about policy, partnership and creating positive change through authentic engagement with Māori, we would love to hear from you.
Join us and help shape a stronger future for Rotorua through partnership, insight and leadership.
Please click this link to view the position description
Te Kaunihera o nga Roto o Rotorua (Rotorua Lakes Council) is committed to working in partnership with Te Arawa, our local iwi. We aspire to being a bicultural organisation and we value staff who speak te reo Maori, have an appreciation of Maori values, and a working knowledge of tikanga Maori.
Sound like you? Click the Apply button.
