Senior Advisor - Maori Economic Development

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Support Māori economic development and prosperity
• Lead strategic policy and partnership work across government and with Māori stakeholders
• 12-month fixed-term opportunity based in Wellington
• Salary range: $110,098 - $138,028 plus KiwiSaver and wellness benefits

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga:

Te Kupenga, Māori Economic Policy and Strategic Partnerships, is focused on supporting Māori economic success, wellbeing and prosperity.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Advisor to join our team on a fixed term basis and contribute to the delivery of the Activating Capital (Māori) Programme, a significant cross-agency initiative aimed at improving access to capital and supporting Māori economic development.

In this role, you will lead complex policy and strategic work programmes, provide high-quality advice to senior leaders, and build trusted relationships across government agencies, iwi, Māori organisations and key stakeholders. You will work on challenging and often ambiguous issues, applying strategic thinking and sound judgement to develop practical solutions that support Māori economic aspirations and outcomes.

You will  play an important role in supporting Te Kupenga's broader work programme, contributing research, analysis and advice that informs decision-making at both operational and strategic levels. This is a varied and rewarding position that will see you working across multiple portfolios, building partnerships, leading pieces of work, and helping deliver outcomes that support thriving Māori communities and a stronger Aotearoa New Zealand economy.

Te Kupenga (Māori Economic Advisory & Strategic Partnerships) sits within Strategy & Assurance, contributing to MBIE's strategic policy, system leadership, and partnerships that support sustainable economic growth and positive outcomes for Māori and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

We are looking for someone who brings one or more of the following:

• Experience in policy, strategy, advisory, programme, or partnership roles.
• Experience working with iwi, hapū, Māori organisations, or Māori policy issues.
• An understanding of te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, alongside an appreciation of government systems, public sector processes, and decision-making.
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Well-developed analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience developing high-quality advice, briefings, or policy products.
• The ability to work through ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and deliver results

About MBIE - Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE:

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia – Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahunga roa o ngā iwi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapa kua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

How to Apply - Me pēhea te tono:

Click here to view a position description. 

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Email jane.ransfield@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/19853 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 4 August 2026