Head of Amorangi Maaori

He angituutanga: The opportunity 

Reporting to the General Manager – Partnerships, Communication and Maaori, you’ll lead the team responsible for Council’s relationships and engagement with iwi, mana whenua, maataawaka and the wider Maaori community. You’ll provide senior-level cultural and strategic advice, apply maatauranga Maaori to decision-making, and help Council meet its responsibilities to Maaori across key legislation and commitments.

This is a highly visible, front-facing leadership role—working across Council and with elected members—requiring strong political acumen, calm leadership in complex situations, and the ability to build and maintain trust in high-stakes environments.

Your day‑to‑day mahi will involve:

Te Ao Maaori leadership

• Lead implementation of Council’s maatauranga Maaori framework.
• Lead cultural expectations and ensure cultural support is available for key events and activities, including events significant to Maaori in Hamilton city.
• Promote Council’s direction and delivery on He Pou Manawa Ora strategy.

Relationships and communications

• Lead relationships with Waikato-Tainui, mana whenua and Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa, and support engagement with the Office of the Maaori Queen alongside Council’s Kaumaatua.
• Provide negotiation, facilitation and dispute resolution support across iwi, mana whenua, maataawaka and internal stakeholders.
• Lead high-level communications on culturally significant issues, including risk management, media sensitivity and crisis communications, with clear reporting to senior leaders.
• Support the co-governance relationship for Hamilton City in the Waikato-Tainui Hamilton City Council Co-Governance Forum.

Leading cultural capability development across Council

• Lead staff initiatives including te reo Maaori training, and the planning and delivery of commemorations and activities recognising significant Maaori events and kaupapa.
• Promote and develop the cultural capability and capacity of elected members and staff.
• Deliver the He Pou Manawa Ora Strategy action plan and report on progress and outcomes.
• Embed engagement processes and competencies with iwi, mana whenua and maataawaka into the way we work.
• Lead the development, review and performance reporting on He Pou Manawa Ora and other key documents and provide high-level cultural advice to the Mayor and elected members on significant issues.