Development Manager | Kaiwhakawhanake Hononga

This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a kaupapa grounded in kotahitanga, restoration, Te Tiriti partnership and collective impact. The role will lead fundraising and development activity that supports both immediate revenue priorities and longer-term investment in Kotahitanga mō te Taiao’s vision:

For extraordinary natural heritage to flourish, restored over large areas including where people live, and for people and communities to live, care for and benefit from the environment in ways that strengthen ecology and community wellbeing.

The Development Manager will lead fundraising strategy and delivery for KMTT.

The role’s key priority is to clarify and implement the fundraising approaches most likely to deliver immediate revenue goals, while also building a stronger foundation for long-term investment. This includes shaping compelling cases for support, developing strong donor and funder relationships, and working closely with project leads, iwi partners, the Communications Manager and the wider team.

This role requires someone who can combine strategic judgement with practical delivery, and who can take a relationships-first approach in a complex network of nine iwi, six council partners and three government agencies, and the broader community.

What you’ll do

You will:

• clarify fundraising strategy and prioritise the methods most likely to deliver both short-term and long-term results

• develop and execute a practical fundraising plan

• co-develop a compelling case for support and broader funding narrative for Kotahitanga mō te Taiao

• work with project leads and teams to shape strong funding asks and demonstrate impact clearly

• develop funding from a mix of sources, including:

  • philanthropy and foundations

  • government and institutional funding

  • Māori funding opportunities

  • corporate and collaborative funding approaches

  • emerging and innovative financing opportunities

• build and nurture strong donor and funder relationships

• help align fundraising across projects, partners and wider priorities

• work in participative, co-design ways that build trust, shared ownership and strong long-term relationships

What we’re looking for

We’d love to hear from people who bring:

• strong experience in fundraising, development, partnerships or strategic investment

• success securing funding from a range of sources

• the ability to assess opportunities critically and turn strategy into action

• strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills

• experience working in complex, multi-partner environments

• the ability to shape compelling proposals, cases for support and investment narratives

• confidence working in a Te Ao Māori context, including understanding the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi

• a collaborative, humble and values-led approach

• experience in facilitation, co-design, or collaborative planning is highly valued

Why this role matters

This role is about more than fundraising. It is about helping create the conditions for long-term restoration by building the resourcing, partnerships and shared commitment needed to support transformational work for te taiao.

It is also an opportunity to help shape a genuinely equity-first, Te Tiriti-grounded and collaborative way of working within a developing organisational structure.

Apply

Please send a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience, qualifications and availability, along with your CV.

If this role speaks to you, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every requirement listed.