Principal Advisor – Māori Crown Relations Capability | Kaitohutohu Mātāmua - Pūmanawa Hononga Māori Karauna
Statistics NZ
- Permanent, full-time role based in Wellington
- Help shape how Stats NZ grows its capability to work effectively with, for and alongside Māori.
The role | Te tūnga
As our Principal Advisor - Māori Crown Relations Capability, you will provide strategic and technical leadership to strengthen organisational capability and support delivery of Stats NZ's Māori Crown Relations responsibilities and commitments. You will lead enterprise-wide capability initiatives and learning programmes aligned with Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te Puni Kōkiri's Māori Crown Relations Capability Framework, and Maihi Karauna.
Working closely with the Kaihautū, senior leaders, and key internal and external stakeholders, you will help shape where capability investment is focused and how capability is lifted across the organisation. Your work will support the meaningful integration of te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori perspectives into the way Stats NZ works.
You'll join our highly collaborative and inclusive People Experience & Capability team, a passionate group focused on leadership, learning, organisational development, employee engagement, and capability uplift across Stats NZ. You'll also lead and coach our Senior Trainer - Māori Capability, helping grow our organisational capability while providing day-to-day leadership and support.
Why this role?
This is an opportunity to influence capability at an enterprise level and help shape how Stats NZ delivers for Māori, Māori data, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. You'll have the chance to work across all parts of the organisation, partner with senior leaders, and contribute to meaningful organisational change in a role that combines strategy, relationship leadership, and practical delivery.
What you bring | Nōu te rourou
We’re looking for someone who brings:
- Proficiency in te reo Māori, including the ability to communicate confidently and build credibility in Māori settings
- Strong knowledge and practical application of tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori
- Expert understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Crown responsibilities and Māori Crown relations in a public-sector context
- At least five years’ experience in a senior capability, people or talent role, including delivering Māori capability initiatives to adult learners
- Experience developing and leading strategic capability programmes across online and in-person learning environments
- A proven ability to provide high-level strategic advice and influence senior leaders in a complex organisation
- Experience working collaboratively with Māori, iwi, hapū and other Tiriti partners
- Strong programme, change and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to deliver sustainable outcomes on time and within budget
- Strategic and systems thinking, with the judgement to identify priorities, manage risks and focus investment where it will have the greatest impact
- The ability to operate impartially and effectively within the public service while maintaining a strong commitment to improved outcomes for Māori
- A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience, with Te Taura Whiri Level Finder assessment or relevant kaumātua endorsement considered beneficial
We recognise that valuable skills can come from a range of industries, including unpaid work. We welcome and value all forms of transferable skills. Please bring your full unique self to your application.
For all our roles, we’re looking for people who:
- Act with integrity, take responsibility, and do what’s right even when it’s hard.
- Understand the ‘why’ behind their work and focus on delivering real value.
- Stay curious and open to learning, seeing challenges as chances to grow.
- Build respectful and inclusive relationships, grounded in care for others.
- Work collaboratively across boundaries and contribute to collective outcomes.
We don’t expect you to know everything. What matters is your genuine interest, commitment, and readiness to grow with us. Tell us about yourself in your cover letter, what attracted you to this role, and what you would bring to Stats NZ.
About Us | Ko mātou
Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa is the National Statistics Office, leading the way in data and insights. While this is our focus, it’s our people who are central to everything we do. We value diverse perspectives and experiences, recognising that our work is strengthened by the people behind it.
The data and insights we produce help shape decisions across government, communities, and businesses, and plays an important role in telling the story of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our mahi supports informed decision making at both national and local levels, helping improve outcomes for people, the economy, and the environment.
We’re proud of the role we play in guiding and strengthening the data system, with a goal of delivering high quality data with equitable access for all.
Before applying, we encourage you to watch our Life at Stats NZ video. It offers a glimpse into who we are, what we value, and the diverse perspectives and experiences that make Stats NZ a great place to work.
What’s in it for you? | Ngā hua ka riro ki a koe
Take a look at our Stats NZ careers site to learn more about our organisational values: He pēwhea ā tātou tikanga mahi | The way we work.
Some key benefits include:
- 37.5 hour work week
- 15 days sick leave allowance (to be used for yourself or people under your care)
- 3 extra leave days (taken during end-of-year office closure)
- Flu vaccines, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), visual/hearing health benefits and corporate rates for a variety of services and products
- Opportunities for career development and progression
Salary: $119,795 - $140,935 + KiwiSaver
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
If this sounds like you, click on the Apply now button to be redirected to the application page on our careers site. The position description is located on the right-hand side of the page.
Our process is to screen applications as we receive them, so we move to interview stage quickly. You may be asked to complete a pre-interview screen via phone or video. The job may close before the advertised closing date depending on application numbers.
Please let us know in your application if we need to make any specific accommodations during our process.
Please reach out to recruitment@stats.govt.nz if you have any questions.
You must have a valid work permit or visa to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand. Background and various pre-employment checks are part of our recruitment process.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: unsolicited CVs will not be accepted.
