Kaitohu Matua | Senior Advisor, Public Sector Monitoring 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 achieve this, we must position ourselves as system leaders—elevating our monitoring and mentoring functions while reinforcing our mandate to hold agencies accountable for delivering public services to, for and with Māori'

Our Public Service Monitoring tīma is looking for a Kaitohu Matua | Senior Advisor, Public Sector Monitoring. This role is permanent, full-time and reports to the Manager, Public Sector Monitoring.

Te whai wāhitanga | The opportunity

Joining the Public Sector Monitoring team offers a unique chance to shape better outcomes for Māori. As the government’s sole Māori-focused policy advisor, our work is highly relevant and impactful—ideal for someone passionate about making a difference.

As a Senior Advisor, you’ll lead complex monitoring and advisory projects, manage relationships with lead agencies, and influence accountability settings. You’ll also provide strategic policy advice to the Secretary for Māori Development and our Executive Leadership Team, while mentoring colleagues and supporting managers to build team capability

The likely appointment range is $104,317 - $115,907 based on skills and experience. The full grade for this role is $104,317 - $139,088 with a mid-point of $115,907.

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

We are also recruiting for 3 x Principal Advisors and 2x Advisors to join the Public Sector Monitoring teams - take a look at our careers website for these job listings.

Mōu | About you

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Strong writing skills and experience writing for a Minister
• Experience monitoring outcomes for Māori
• Demonstrable knowledge of machinery of government and public sector mechanisms to influence strategic planning, prioritisation, and design of services for Māori
• Strong analysis and performance monitoring background in the public sector in the context of policy and programmes
• Understanding of the relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi to the work being undertaken

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 Rāmere 30 Kohitātea 2026 ā te 11.55pm | Applications close on Friday 30 January 2026 at 11.55pm.