Kaiārahi

Job Description:

Office of Treaty Partnership | UC Māori
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Full-time 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
• Permanent position
• Generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!
He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Kaiārahi Māori? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
Are you looking for a role with lots of variety, do you enjoying working with people, are you interested in an academic career? This is the role for you!

As Kaiārahi Māori for the faculty/ service Unit you will play an integral role in leading and supporting that faculty/service unit to drive strategic outputs for Māori and to embed Māori knowledge and learning content in contexts across UC. This position is also responsible for leading engagement initiatives that enhance kaimahi proficiency in bicultural competence and confidence. The role will foster and enhance the faculty's/ service unit's relationship with Ngāi Tahu and Māori communities. You will support the embedding of Tangata Tū, Tangata Ora | UC Strategy into the faculty/service unit plans and aims for development and to promote Māori achievement throughout the faculties, service units, UC and wider community.

Mōu | Who You Are
To be successful in this role you will hold a bachelor's degree (NZQA Level 7) or higher, with a minimum of 6 years' experience in a related role and evidence of:

• Demonstrated experience in professional leadership, administration and working with professionally qualified staff.
• Excellent listening, oral and written communication skills.
• Active commitment to upholding the values, tikanga, kawa and traditions as guided by mana whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and valuing te reo Māori.
• A high level of proficiency in te Reo Māori is an advantage.
• Demonstrated mentoring and coaching capability.
• Experience implementing and leading change.
• Experience in strategic planning.
• Proven experience working collaboratively and evidence of contribution to team success.
• Previous experience working in a tertiary institution (desirable).
• An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
You will work with colleagues in UC Māori, and colleagues in the wider university in your areas of responsibility. Typically, you will work closely with academic/service unit staff and serve on committees. You may also work with service units and with those staff working towards student success.

Ko tā UC Māori mahi ko te ārahi i Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha whānui, otirā me matua tautoko i te taiao ako hai whakatairanga, hai whakamana hoki i te hapori kākānorua o Aotearoa nei.

The role of UC Māori is to provide cultural leadership, support and guidance to the University in general, and support a learning environment which recognises and promotes Aotearoa New Zealand's unique bicultural society.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangements
• professional development opportunities
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• on-campus staff discounts
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 21 September 2026 (midnight, NZ time)
Please note applications will be reviewed after the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to [email protected]

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role.

Please note, this is an onsite position.

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