Lead Advisor Whānau Engagement

Help shape the future of Education

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our ākonga in our education system.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

• Secondment or Fixed-Term, Full-time Lead Adviser – Whanau Engagement for 6 months
• Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast region

The Lead Adviser will engage, facilitate, and broker the support of Iwi Rūnanga entities, so that:

• Māori learners and whānau are aware of the range and scale of education and wellbeing services that are available to them (including skills training and employment pathways) and know how to request them.
• Māori learners and whānau are supported to engage/re-engage with local education services and access education and wellbeing support to apply an equity lens to support Māori learners and whanau.
• Local education services are prompted and supported to engage Māori learners and whānau and provide high quality services to them and have a solution focused practice in place if Māori learners and whānau are not able to access services and entitlements that they seek.

Salary range: $100,296 - $121,490 per annum + KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the Job description here.

About you | Mōhou ake

To be successful in this role you will have the following experience:

• Experience in a complex organisation
• Experience in building relationships and partnerships to achieve shared outcomes.
• Experience and understanding of the NZ education system and relevant legislation
• Understanding of the process of Government policy.
• Understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi, and its implications for the work of the Ministry of Education, especially in matters relating to Māori development and the partnership values that flow from the Treaty.
• Experience in engagement with Māori groups, communities, iwi, and whānau.

You will also offer:

• A track record of bringing people together and leading, facilitating, coaching, and mentoring others to achieve outcomes.
• A proven ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, to influence and guide organisational and system-level decision making.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills across multiple settings.
• In-depth understanding of Ka Hikitia and the implications for the education sector
• Advanced ability to work collaboratively with Iwi Rūnaka and Māori organisations to develop local solutions.
• A commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.
• Solution focused and problem solver – strategic and creative thinking, focus on Māori potential and supporting real and sustainable change.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The Education Services Group provides well-designed, integrated education services that support the impactful and effective operation of education settings to support student achievement and participation. The services help to remove barriers to participation and learning and provide regulatory advice, support and oversight to early learning providers, schools and kura.

The Group has three key priorities for Education Services:

• Practice & Guidance: Managing practice and guidance to improve national coordination and consistency, whilst enabling regional autonomy for education service delivery.
• Integration & Delivery: Providing education support directly to education settings via integrated regional and national services. This includes intervening when necessary to ensure a high standard of operation to support student outcomes and owning key stakeholder relationships to support schooling improvement and stronger outcomes for learners.
• Monitoring & Improvement: Monitoring and advising on improvements to the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of services for achievement and progression, and attendance and participation. This includes monitoring education provider performance against regulations and intervening as required.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

For further information, please contact Megan Hannigan, Manager, Practice and Performance at Megan.Hannigan@education.govt.nz

Applications close Midnight – Wednesday, 22 July 2026.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.