Job Description

• Champion kaupapa Māori approaches to systems change
• Advance equitable health and wellbeing outcomes for Māori whānau
• Build influential partnerships across iwi, government and communities

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

We have an exciting full-time, fixed-term opportunity until 30 June 2027 for a Senior Strategist Kaupapa Māori to join Healthy Families South Auckland. Working alongside the Healthy Families Manager, this influential role ensures Māori perspectives, values and approaches shape health prevention and systems transformation. As a specialist in Māori health promotion and systems change, the position will strengthen relationships with mana whenua, mataawaka, Māori leaders, whānau and key stakeholders while identifying opportunities grounded in te ao Māori that advance health, wellbeing and equity. As part of a wider network of kaupapa Māori leaders across Auckland Council and the Healthy Families NZ Te Kāhui Māori collective, this role will elevate mātauranga Māori, Māori voices and Māori-led solutions to create the conditions for whānau to thrive.

In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership to design and deliver flagship initiatives that strengthen the capability, influence and leadership of Māori health system stakeholders and embed indigenous knowledge systems into sustainable health and wellbeing solutions.
• Lead the development and implementation of Healthy Families South Auckland’s Whāia te Pae Tawhiti systems strategy, while contributing to communities of leadership and practice aligned with Auckland Council’s Māori Outcomes Strategy.
• Develop, test and refine theories of change informed by te ao Māori, mātauranga Māori and the lived experiences of whānau, applying an equity focus and the Six Conditions of Systems Change to support lasting transformation.
• Capture and translate place-based and system-level insights into strategic advice, compelling stories and practical recommendations that influence policy and practice across the Auckland Council whānau, government, private sector and community organisations.
• Strengthen collective learning through the Manawataki evaluation and insights model, documenting and sharing progress while building the capability of Māori-led partners and wider system stakeholders to act on emerging evidence and opportunities.

Click this link to access the Position Description

He kōrero mōu: About you

We’re looking for a strategic and innovative kaupapa Māori practitioner who can navigate complexity, respond confidently to changing circumstances and turn emerging opportunities into meaningful action. A strong understanding of tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori and kaupapa Māori systems-change approaches will be central to success, alongside empathy for communities experiencing inequity and discrimination. This role calls for a credible and collaborative leader with political acumen, excellent facilitation and communication skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships with iwi, urban Māori authorities, central government and community organisations. A leadership style grounded in sharing power, inspiring others and bringing people together around collective outcomes will be highly valued.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A bachelor’s degree in public health, Māori health, Māori systems or another relevant discipline.
• At least seven to ten years’ relevant experience delivering complex, fast-paced projects with a strong strategic component, including the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated experience in mātauranga Māori-led innovation, kaupapa Māori systems-thinking methodologies, Māori health and community-led development.
• Confidence and capability across te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, together with experience working within central or local government.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

Auckland Council is one of the largest local authorities in the South Pacific providing essential services and facilities to more than 1.6 million people. We are progressive socially, culturally and environmentally while we work towards creating change having an impact on our journey to becoming a city we are proud of for our ratepayers and residents.

Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini My success is not mine alone, but the success of many.

In return for your hard work, you will be rewarded with a competitive salary and be a part of a friendly and collaborative team that is dedicated to our customers. You will receive dedicated training and development to help build your career and on top of this, as part of our Auckland Council Group, you will gain access to many benefits and discounts. Click link to find out more about our employee benefits package.

If you have any questions about this role, please email me kennedy.sua@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Me Tono Ināianei!: Apply Now!

Applications close Tuesday, 22 September 2026

#workingforauckland

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.