Senior Advisor Kaitohutohu Matua - Iwi/Maori Communications & Engagement

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Advisor Kaitohutohu Matua - Iwi/Maori Communications & Engagement

🔹 Company: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

🔹 Location: Auckland, Wellington

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Government Administration

🔹 Date Posted: May 2, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Wellington or Auckland with flexible working encouraged)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Supporting communications and engagement in our Māori partnerships team nationally
• Coordinating, developing, and rolling out Māori and key stakeholder engagement activities
• Working in a small but agile national engagement team
• Liaising with regional offices, Te Mātangi Māori partnerships team, and transport specialist teams
• Improving engagement processes, translation practices, collateral production, and online tools

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication skills, experience in engagement planning and delivery, and an understanding of Māori culture and tikanga.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Supporting the coordination, development, and roll out of Māori and key stakeholder engagement activities nationally

✅ Working in a small but agile national engagement team that liaises daily with regional offices, Te Mātangi Māori partnerships team, and transport specialist teams

✅ Encouraging best practice in engagement and consultation activities

✅ Developing and implementing new ways to streamline engagement processes, translation practices, collateral production, and online tools

✅ Building relationships and trust both internally and externally

✅ Mentoring and growing others in the team

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of collaboration and project management, with a focus on improving engagement processes and outcomes.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: A tertiary qualification in communications or a related discipline. Training or qualification in IAP2 is desirable but not essential.

Experience: At least 5-10 years’ experience in Māori, partner, stakeholder, or community engagement roles, including leading or mentoring other team members.

Required Skills:

• Excellent writing and editing skills and experience presenting complex information clearly and simply, and in different languages and formats
• Sound knowledge of communications and engagement planning, methods, tools, techniques, and channels, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvements in our field
• Proven ability to build relationships with people at all levels
• Previous exposure to successfully working in a collaborative/matrix environment
• Demonstrated knowledge and proven application of te ao Māori and tikanga in our field, with fluency in te reo Māori an advantage
• Knowledge and proven application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and our commitments as they apply in the public sector

Preferred Skills:

• Other specialist skills i.e. marketing, public relations, change communications, kaupapa Māori

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in communications and engagement planning and delivery, with a focus on Māori partnerships and engagement.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: NZ$110,000 - NZ$150,000 commensurate to skills and experience.

Benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements, including remote/hybrid options
• 5 weeks annual leave
• Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance scheme available for all permanent employees

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements encouraged.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the information given in the job listing and is subject to change based on the candidate's skills and experience.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Government Administration, specifically focused on land transport networks, state highways, driver licenses, road safety, vehicle registrations, and freight efficiency.

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a large and diverse work environment.

Founded: 2008, with a history of working to provide an integrated land transport system that helps people get the most out of life and supports business.

Company Description:

• A great journey is easy, safe, and connected. The Transport Agency is focused on providing one integrated land transport system that helps people get the most out of life and supports business.
• We look after the national transport system with our partners, today and for the future. We’re innovating to make sure the system is efficient and sustainable, unlocking opportunity and keeping New Zealand moving.
• We’re working to deliver our customer promise – great journeys to keep New Zealand moving.

Company Specialties:

• Land transport network
• State highway network
• Driver licenses
• Road safety
• Vehicle registrations
• Vehicle certification
• Driver testing services
• Road user charges and tolls
• Land transport research
• Education programmes
• Freight efficiency

Company Website: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/

ASSUMPTION: The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is a government agency focused on providing an integrated land transport system that supports the people and businesses of New Zealand.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Advisor, indicating a high level of responsibility and experience in the field.

Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Manager, Māori Partnerships and Engagement, and works closely with regional offices, Te Mātangi Māori partnerships team, and transport specialist teams.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with the option to work from Wellington or Auckland offices and flexible working arrangements encouraged.

Growth Opportunities:

• Mentoring and growing others in the team
• Continuous learning and improvements in the field of communications and engagement
• Potential career progression within the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi or related organizations

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development, as well as the chance to make a significant impact on New Zealand's transport system.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid, with the option to work from Wellington or Auckland offices.

Office Location(s): 44 Bowen Street, Wellington, WGN 6011, NZ and 29 Customs Street West, Level 5, AMP Centre, Auckland, 1140, NZ

Geographic Context:

• Wellington: The capital city of New Zealand, known for its vibrant arts scene, political hub, and natural beauty
• Auckland: The largest city in New Zealand, known for its diverse culture, economic hub, and coastal lifestyle

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements encouraged.

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a flexible work-life balance, while the office locations provide access to vibrant urban environments.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• Face-to-face or video interview with the hiring manager
• Reference checks
• Job offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills, both written and verbal
• Understanding of Māori culture and tikanga
• Experience in engagement planning and delivery
• Problem-solving and project management skills
• Cultural fit with the organization

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
• Provide specific examples of your communication and engagement experience
• Demonstrate your understanding of Māori culture and tikanga
• Showcase your problem-solving and project management skills

ATS Keywords: Māori engagement, stakeholder communication, engagement planning, project management, tikanga, te ao Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, government administration

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, so it's essential to tailor your application materials to highlight your relevant experience and skills.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., email, instant messaging, video conferencing)
• Design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva) for creating engagement materials

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for government administration and communication roles.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Manaakitanga: Hospitality, respect, and care for others
• Whanaungatanga: Building and maintaining relationships
• Wairuatanga: Spirituality and connection to the land and people
• Rangatiratanga: Leadership and decision-making
• Kaitiakitanga: Guardianship and responsibility for the environment

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and responsive to changing priorities
• Committed to continuous learning and improvement
• Culturally sensitive and aware of the importance of Māori engagement

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you demonstrate manaakitanga in your work?
• Can you provide an example of how you have built and maintained relationships with Māori stakeholders?
• How do you ensure that your work is aligned with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi?

ASSUMPTION: Cultural fit is essential for this role, as it involves working closely with Māori partners and stakeholders. Applicants should be familiar with Māori culture, tikanga, and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple priorities and deadlines
• Working with diverse stakeholders, including Māori partners and government agencies
• Navigating a large and complex organization
• Adapting to changes in government policy and priorities

ASSUMPTION: These challenges are common in government administration roles and can be overcome with strong project management skills, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other senior advisor or communications manager positions in government administration, but with a specific focus on Māori engagement and partnerships
• Industry-specific context: The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is responsible for the national transport system, including land transport networks, state highways, driver licenses, road safety, vehicle registrations, and freight efficiency
• Career path comparison: This role can lead to career progression within the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi or related organizations, with potential opportunities in management or specialist positions

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to specialize in Māori engagement and partnerships within the government administration sector.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a national Māori engagement strategy for a major transport infrastructure project
• Coordinating and delivering a series of regional workshops to gather feedback on proposed changes to driver licensing regulations
• Creating a suite of engagement materials, including brochures, posters, and online content, to promote road safety initiatives targeted at Māori communities

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and required skills for this role, with a focus on Māori engagement and partnerships.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within it?
• How does the organization support the professional development of its employees?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does the organization measure the success of its engagement and communication initiatives?
• What is the organization's approach to work-life balance and flexible working arrangements?

ASSUMPTION: These questions will help applicants better understand the role, the team, and the organization, allowing them to make an informed decision about whether the position is the right fit for them.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills, with a focus on communication, engagement, and Māori culture
• Prepare for the interview by researching the organization, its values, and the role's requirements
• Follow up with the hiring manager within a week of submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.