Tautōhito | Chief Advisor, Regions at Te Puni Kōkiri - Ministry of Māori Development, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Our Office of the Deputy Secretary, Regions is looking for an exceptional Chief Advisor. This role reports to the Deputy Secretary, Regions and is a full time, permanent opportunity.

The Office of the Deputy Secretary team provides strategic oversight of the Regions puni, leading a work programme focused on building strong relationships with key internal partners. They serve as the key link between regional insights and Te Puni Kōkiri national office.

Te Whiwhinga Mahi | The Opportunity

The Chief Advisor works closely with the Deputy Secretary and staff within the Office of Deputy Secretary, with specific responsibilities for:

• Providing intellectual and strategic leadership and advice.
• Co-ordinating the implementation and delivery of significant programmes of work.
• Working to uphold the Crown’s commitments to partnership with iwi, hapū and whānau to achieve results for Māori.
• Managing relationships with highly sensitive stakeholders including Ministers, Public Service Commission and public sector colleagues.
• Working in partnership with staff and ngā puni across Te Puni Kōkiri to deliver on enterprise-wide priorities.

The Chief Advisor will demonstrate excellent judgement and be able to set clear direction in an environment that is often ambiguous and complex.

The likely appointment range is $180,014 - $225,018 based on skills and experience.

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

Ko wai koe | About you

You will be an experienced thought leader with a demonstrated ability to deliver complex, high priority work programmes. You will be comfortable working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and able to identify and mitigate risks.

You will be an excellent communicator and able to build, and maintain, relationships with senior staff across the organisation to ensure an enterprise-wide approach to work programmes as required.

As part of the Regions Leadership Team, you will contribute to the broader work programme and developing the capability of kaimahi to deliver high quality outcomes against priority workstreams.

You will have experience advising executive leaders, ministers, and senior stakeholders.

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 

We are committed to our vision of 'Thriving Whānau' - when whānau are thriving, so do their communities, hapū, iwi and all of Aotearoa. Te Puni Kōkiri leads policy advice to the Government on Māori development, and Iwi and Māori relations with the Crown. Our people are at the heart of the work we do – using our approaches to improve outcomes to, for and with Māori, and to drive our efforts to build an Aotearoa where whānau can all stand, thrive and belong.

Find out more about Our Story

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 aukati ngā tono hei te Rātapu 14 Pipiri 2026 ā te 11.55pm | Applications close on Sunday 14 June 2026 at 11.55pm.   

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

Nau mai rā ko ngā tononga i te reo Māori, te reo Pākehā, te reorua rānei | We welcome applications in te reo Māori, English, or both. 

Īmēratia vacancy@tpk.govt.nz me he pātai āu | 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