Principal Advisor - Engagement and Relationships (Wellington)

• Do you have the ability to engage & effectively communicate with people?
• Become an integral part of an engaged, dynamic and supportive team
• Full time permanent role + 5 weeks' annual leave and insurance benefits

E ngā mana e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

Ina noho koe ki te rohe o Te Manawatū me Te Tai Hauāuru rānei, tēnā tukuna mai tō tononga mō tēnei tūnga ki Kāinga Ora. Kua mātua koe ki te mahi ki te taha o ngā iwi me ngā hapū o te motu, me ngā roopu Māori. Ka mahi takitahi koe, ā, ka whatoro o ringa awhina ki ō hoa mahi kia eke kairangi koutou hei tira kotahi. Ka tauiratia ai koe i ngā āhuatanga Māori ara ko te manaakitanga, te mahi tahi, me te whanake. 

Te whiwhinga mahi - Our opportunity

In this role, you'll support the Te Kurutao Director Kaupapa Māori – Operations with developing and fostering key Māori partner relationships within the Greater Wellington region.

This will include coordinating and performing actions required to positively strengthen the relationships between Kāinga Ora and iwi/rōpū Māori, including providing advice and guidance to the regional team and supporting Māori engagement with our colleagues across the business. 

This role will also require providing cover in other areas, including 1–2 weeks of nationwide travel each month.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu - What you will bring

• You'll have a wealth of experience working with iwi and rōpū Māori at a regional/national level
• Knowledge and understanding of contemporary dynamics of Māori housing, with experience working with Māori in housing or similar settings, is advantageous but not essential
• You'll be competent in tikanga Māori, and confident operating in a wide range of Māori environments. Ideally you will be a fluent or native speaker of Te Reo Māori
• You will be adept at growing the organisation's cultural competence to deliver impactful outcomes in partnership with Māori
• You will understand the machinery of Government and local government
• Naturally, you'll have an inherent understanding of the implications of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and its respective interpretations by iwi/hapū.
• A current full clean NZ driver's licence

Nōu te rourou - What's in it for you?  

We offer competitive salaries, five weeks' annual leave and a benefits package including a range of insurances, flexible working arrangements and career development. These benefits are described in more detail here https://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz/a-great-place-to-work/benefits

As a Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities employee, we want to make sure that you have all the tools and support you need. We want to ensure you are healthy and have work-life balance. We also want to support and grow your personal and career development through on-the-job learning, training courses, secondments and study opportunities. 

Mō mātou - Our Organisation

At Kāinga Ora, our mahi sits at the heart of Aotearoa’s housing system. Every day, we help shape how our customers live today and into the future. It’s meaningful mahi, and we’re transforming how we work so we can deliver even better outcomes.

Our transformation focuses on three things:

• Our future – building a high performing organisation that delivers quality housing for generations.
• Our tenants – warm, dry, well maintained homes and the right support to help people live well.
• Our people – simple processes, modern technology and opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.

Guided by our values, we work together, put customers at the centre and continually challenge ourselves to be better.

Kāinga Ora is a place where people feel valued and supported. You’ll find opportunities to grow your skills and build a career you’re proud of, with fair pay and flexible ways of working that support both our people and our customers.

Ō tātou uara - Our values

Our values were developed by us, for us. They unite us as an organisation and guide how we work every day. Our values are:

• Manaakitanga – People at the Heart
• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Whanake – Be Bold

Tūhono mai - Join us

To view the position description and apply for this role, please follow the online process via https://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz. Please note: all applicants, including existing employees, need to follow this process. If you have any questions about this role, please contact [email protected].

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may progress suitable candidates prior to the closing date. This helps us ensure a timely and streamlined recruitment process and supports prompt feedback for all applicants.

Applications close on Wednesday, 1 April 2026 at 11:55pm.

We value diversity and are committed to working with each other and our customers in an inclusive and respectful way. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and appreciate the richness of experience that your point of difference brings to the organisation.

If you don’t tick all the boxes in this listing but think that you could be a great fit based on your unique background and skillset, we would welcome an application from you. Don’t hesitate, as we may review applications as they are received and reserve the right to close advertising early.