Aporei | Principal Advisor, Investments at Te Puni Kōkiri - Ministry of Māori Development, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Te Puni Kōkiri leads policy advice to the Government on Māori development, and Iwi and Māori relations with the Crown. To do this effectively we must position ourselves to elevate our monitoring and mentoring responsibilities and emphasise our role in holding other agencies to account for delivery of public services to, for and with Māori.

Our Investments tīma is looking for an Aporei, Te Haumitanga | Principal Advisor, Investments. This role is full time, permanent and reports to the Kaiārahi, Haumitanga | Manager, Investments.

Te whai wāhitanga | The opportunity

The Investments team is an exciting, interesting and fast-paced environment where what we do, has a positive impact on whānau Māori. Our team is made up of capable and experienced kaimahi who are ready for you to help shape how we work together.

The Principal Advisor, Investments role offers the opportunity to lead, and play a significant role in, the delivery of investment projects and outcomes. You will collaborate with other agencies, build strong relationships, and contribute to shaping strategy through the provision of advice on investment priorities, while working as part of a team to deliver effective investments across a portfolio of investment funds.

You will manage and maintain a network across Te Puni Kōkiri, and work closely with stakeholders, including the recipients of our investments. You will work across the enterprise to monitor the performance of both the outcomes achieved by investment partners, and the investment funds.

The likely appointment range is $128,798 - $142,500, based on skills and experience.

For more information about the skills and experience required for this position, please see the job description below.

Mōu | About you

To succeed in this role, you’ll be confident working independently while mentoring others. You’ll bring strong writing skills to craft clear, compelling Ministerial briefings and official correspondence, and apply critical thinking and analytical expertise to develop practical solutions for complex and ambiguous challenges. Government grants and investment experience would be advantageous.

You will be comfortable working in a te ao Māori environment and have a high level of understanding of the machinery of Government, public service and public sector processes that ensure the impartiality of Public Servants. You will also have an understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti ō Waitangi and recognise the importance of the Treaty/Tiriti from both Māori and Crown perspectives.

Tāu e whai ai | What you will get in return

Te Puni Kōkiri is a diverse and rewarding working environment full of passionate kaimahi focused on creating solutions that will help our communities. We are guided by our values of te wero, manaakitanga, he toa takitini and ture tangata.  

There is more to life than just work and we encourage our kaimahi to maintain the right balance between mahi and their personal lives. Your whānau is just as important as you, so we're committed to providing incentives and opportunities that help our kaimahi and their whānau to thrive, including:

• A range of allowances including childcare, optical, hauora/wellbeing and te reo Māori proficiency
• Medical insurance discounts
• Flexible working options
• In house te reo Māori training
• Kaimahi development and career options, including study assistance 
• Enhanced parental leave provisions

Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development

Te Puni Kōkiri is committed to our vision of 'Whānau Taurikura' - 'Thriving Whānau'. We consider that when whānau are thriving, so do their communities, hapū, iwi and all of Aotearoa. This underpins everything we do. 

Our people are at the heart of achieving this vision and it is our people who contribute to supporting Māori collective success. They do this by creating and maintaining relationships with iwi, hapū and whānau Māori and government at both a local and national level. It is this that enables Māori participation and success as Māori, and it is our people who will create a future where all whānau can thrive.  

We invite applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We believe that diversity fuels innovation and enriches our collective strength. Your unique perspectives, skills, and heritage contribute to our mission of advancing Māori aspirations and well-being. 

Tono mai | Apply Now! 

Ka akiākina koe kia tukuna mai tō tononga i tēnei rangi tonu, kia whakapāngia rānei tētahi Ringa Taritari e kōrero ai mō ngā painga o tēnei whai wāhitanga, me tōna hāngai ki ō whāinga ā-umanga. Nau mai rā ko ngā tononga i te reo Māori, te reo Pākehā, te reorua rānei.

We encourage you to apply today or get in touch with one of our Recruitment Partners to discuss how this great opportunity will fit with your career goals. We welcome applications in te reo Māori, English, or both.

Tukuna mai tau tono ā-ipurangi | Please submit your application online.

Īmēratia vacancy@tpk.govt.nz me he pātai āu | Please email vacancy@tpk.govt.nz with any pātai.

We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing: vacancy@tpk.govt.nz

Ka aukati ngā tono hei te 25 Kohitātea 2026 ā te 11.55pm | Applications close on 25 January 2026 at 11.55pm.