Cultural and Executive Advisor

Piki mai kake mai
Homai te waiora ki a au
Tēnā koutou rau rangatira mā
Ki ō tātou tini aituā kua whakaoneonehia haere atu haere.
Ki a tātou te hunga ora e tohe tonu ana ki te tohe oranga e mihi atu nei.

An exciting senior opportunity exists within a kaupapa Māori organisation, working closely with the Chairman of Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust in a trusted advisory and executive support capacity.

• Work directly alongside the Chairman in a high-trust, kaupapa-led role.
• Support the coordination of governance, iwi, Crown, stakeholder, and partner relationships.
• Provide culturally grounded executive support, including written communication, briefing, prioritisation, and engagement preparation.
• Be part of a whānau-based, iwi-led organisation grounded in tikanga, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, and service to Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust.

Ko wai mātou? | Who are we?

Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust (NMST) is a kaupapa Māori organisation dedicated to delivering outcomes for the iwi through governance, environmental stewardship, cultural revitalisation, and economic development. Guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and grounded in manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga, NMST works to strengthen relationships with whānau, hapū, and the wider community. The Trust exists to receive, administer, manage, protect and grow its assets to ensure the cultural, commercial, and social development of Ngāti Manuhiri for current and future generations. 

This is a unique role supporting the Chairman in the coordination of his mahi, engagements, priorities, and relationships across a busy and complex kaupapa Māori environment. The role requires a mature, energetic, and highly trusted individual who can operate with discretion, cultural confidence, and sound judgement. You will help ensure the Chairman is well prepared, well briefed, and supported to engage effectively across iwi, Crown, stakeholder, and partner settings.

The successful person will bring an understanding of te ao me ōna tikanga, particularly written reo and formal communications. You will be confident preparing high-quality correspondence, statements, briefing notes, and engagement material on behalf of the Chairman, subject to his review and approval. You will also play an important role in managing the flow of information, requests, and priorities, ensuring the Chairman has clear, concise, and timely advice to support decision-making.

NMST is grounded in whānau, whakapapa, tikanga, and collective responsibility. For this reason, the role requires someone who understands the responsibilities, expectations, and tikanga associated with supporting Māori leadership spaces. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in environments where cultural nuance, rangatiratanga, manaakitanga, and appropriate representation are central to how the Trust conducts its mahi.

Key responsibilities and skills/experience required:

• Provide high-level cultural, executive, and coordination support to the Chairman across governance, iwi, Crown, stakeholder, and partner engagements.
• Manage the Chairman’s diary, priorities, communications, briefing material, travel, and follow-up actions.
• Prepare high-quality written material, including correspondence, statements, notes, summaries, and engagement briefings, with strong attention to tone, tikanga, and accuracy.
• Support the Chairman to manage how and when stakeholders, partners, agencies, and others seek his time, input, and decision-making.
• Provide concise advice on high-priority matters, ensuring key issues, risks, decisions, and actions are clearly presented.
• Possess a strong understanding of te reo me ōna tikanga, with particular strength in written communication.
• Demonstrate maturity, energy, discretion, and the ability to keep pace with an intense and high-demand schedule.
• Work closely with the Chairman’s direct team, to support the priorities of the Chairman and Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust.
• Support selected engagements with Crown agencies and external stakeholders where appropriate, noting that iwi-to-iwi and rangatira-to-rangatira engagements remain with Ngāti Manuhiri leadership unless otherwise directed.
• Manage sensitive and confidential information with integrity, professionalism, and sound judgement.

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to work at the centre of an iwi-led organisation, supporting the Chairman of Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust in a role that blends cultural advisory, executive support, stakeholder coordination, and trusted relationship management. You will be part of a small, dedicated team where your contribution is visible, valued, and connected to kaupapa that matter for Ngāti Manuhiri.

The role will be based primarily at the HSBC building on Quay Street, Auckland CBD, with parking provided. Travel may be required from time to time, including to Warkworth and other locations. If you are a mature and experienced kaupapa Māori professional with strong executive support capability, excellent written communication skills, and the cultural confidence to support Māori leadership in a high-trust environment, we encourage you to apply.

Te tono | How to apply

Please email Heather Walker at Mana Recruitment, heather@manarecruitment.co.nz quoting the relevant reference number, to request an information kete and any additional information.

Applications will be assessed as they are submitted.

Te tono | How to apply

Please email Heather Walker at Mana Recruitment, heather@manarecruitment.co.nz quoting the relevant reference number, to request an information kete and any additional information.

Applications will be assessed as they are submitted.