Māori Programming Specialist

Rare opportunity to explore and innovate in the design and development of kaupapa that can make a difference for Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau
Join a team that looks for opportunities within systems and values the contribution of mātauranga Māori and mātauranga o te ao huirhuri
Bring your passion, commitment and innovative thinking to a space that aspires to elevate positive outcomes for Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau

He kōrero mōu | About you

Te Waka Kerewai – The Māori Outcomes Delivery Unit is casting a net out to capture the interest of individuals who are passionate about and experienced in the design and bringing to life of kaupapa that uplift Māori and can add value to our city's whānau and hapori as a Māori Programming Specialists.

We are looking for individuals that:
Have a reasonably good command of Te Reo Māori
Have knowledge of tikanga and kawa Māori in a diverse range of settings
Can showcase their lived experience within Te Ao Māori or Te Taiao
Can bring a growth-mindset and good level of resilience to the mahi
Are able to engage in strategic thinking and bring kaupapa to life
Can provide evidence of co-design and collaboration skills
Have experience in designing, developing, and implementing innovative kaupapa

Advantageous skills and experiences:
Knowledge and experience of systems change
Experience with Māori-centric frameworks and evaluation
Event and/or project management
Ability to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders
Have existing connections and relationships into hapori Māori within Tāmaki Makaurau

He kōrero whakamārama | About the role

As a member of the Māori Service Innovation Team, you will report to the Manager Māori Service Innovation and will lead a portfolio of innovative Māori service design and development. Your portfolio will be made up of kaupapa that responsed to Māori community needs within a local board area, region and/or our department, Community Wellbeing (libraries, hubs, art centres, community development and community centres) across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Your key drivers will be:
Co-designing and developing innovative kaupapa ensuring they are fit-for-purpose and meet the needs of whānau Māori in Tāmaki Makarau
Māori participation is increased across all local places in Tāmaki Makaurau
Tāmaki Ora strategic outcomes are met as they serve whānau Māori
Community Wellbeing teams and local boards engage with Te Ao Māori confidently and authentically
Māori community aspirations are embedded in the design and development of innovative kaupapa across Tāmaki Makaurau
Exploring and being able to identify systems change opportunities that benefit iwi, hapū, hapori and whānau Māori

He kōrero mō mātou | About us

Nau mai, eke mai rā ki runga o Te Waka Kerewai, toro atu rā ki te hoe, hoea, hoea, hoea rā.

Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau offer an exciting opportunity to join Te Waka Kerewai, our Māori Outcomes Delivery unit in the Community Wellbeing department.
This is an exciting time to join our unit which has a focus on contributing to the implementation of some of the key strategic outcomes within ‘Tāmaki Ora’, the recently refreshed Māori Outcomes Performance Measurement Framework.

We have a broad remit for our mahi which means the exploration of opportunities to shift the systems and prototype innovative kaupapa is vast and varied, but is grounded in our explicit focus on creating value and transformational change for whānau Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

Te Waka Kerewai provides a working environment that brings the strengths and values of Te Ao Māori together with those from the non-Māori world so that we can maximise the benefit and value for our whānau Māori.

Our current team is energetic, open-minded and deeply committed to continuous improvement. You would be joining a team of kaimahi Māori who are growing, learning and exploring together.

There are multiple development and career pathway opportunities within Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau, and the Te Waka Kerewai leadership are strong supporters of professional and personal development. Ko te piko o te mahuri, koia te tupu o te rākau.

This role is an opportunity to make a difference for Māori by exploring innovative ways of engaging with and igniting the untapped potential of so many Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau. This is a genuine opportunity to contribute to important kaupapa as we work together to create a Tāmaki Makaurau that elevates the holistic wellbeing and aspirations of whānau Māori.

For the Position Description please click here.

Salary range: $75k - $85k


Hūkeretia tō hoe ki te paewai o Hinemoana!: Apply Now!
Applications Close: Sunday 10th August 2025

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.

Employees in receipt of salary protection and/or on the predecessor Council terms and conditions of employment, please note that the salary protection and/or predecessor Council terms and conditions, including relocation, apply to your current position. Should you change to a new position (other than any secondment) you will be issued with a new employment letter of offer with current Auckland Council terms and conditions. Read more