Kaiakiaki | Māori Engagement Adviser
- Victoria University of Wellington
- New Zealand
- Aug 7, 2026
Job Description:
- Are you passionate about supporting Māori student success in a culturally responsive tertiary environment?
- Can you build effective relationships and communicate confidently with a wide range of stakeholders and communities?
- Do you have experience applying the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to support educational practices that strengthen equity, inclusion, and positive outcomes for tauira Māori?
Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role
Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is seeking to appoint a Kaiakiaki - Māori Engagement Adviser to join the Āwhina - Māori Student Support team on a permanent, full-time basis.
Based in Ngā Mokopuna, this role will provide support and engagement for tauira Māori studying in Te Wāhanga a Manaia - Faculty of Science and Engineering. Āwhina contributes to the University’s wider student support environment by strengthening Māori student connection, cultural confidence, wellbeing, and academic success.
Key responsibilities:
- Providing culturally responsive support and engagement for tauira Māori.
- Planning, coordinating, and delivering events, workshops, and engagement activities that support Māori student participation and success.
- Applying tikanga Māori appropriately within student support and engagement activities.
- Building effective working relationships and contributing to a collaborative, professional team environment.
Ō pūmanawa - About you
The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to Māori student success and an understanding of culturally responsive, relationship-based approaches to student support. They will be confident engaging with tauira Māori, whānau, staff, and key stakeholders, and will bring a professional, organised, and proactive approach to the role.
You will bring:
- Demonstrated confidence supporting and engaging with Māori students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
- Experience providing individual support, guidance, or advice, together with the ability to plan and deliver workshops, events, or engagement activities.
- The ability to advocate appropriately for tauira Māori and connect them with relevant support services, staff, and opportunities.
- Strong organisational skills, sound judgement, and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively in a busy work environment.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to build effective working relationships across diverse communities and teams.
- A constructive, team-oriented approach and a commitment to contributing to an environment that supports positive outcomes for tauira Māori.
Key requirements:
- Sound knowledge of tikanga Māori and the ability to apply this knowledge appropriately in a professional context.
- Knowledge and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within an educational environment.
- Understanding of the tertiary education environment, including matters relevant to Māori student engagement, retention, and achievement.
- The ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, colleagues, and internal and external stakeholders.
- The ability to work collaboratively within a team environment while also exercising initiative and accountability for delegated areas of responsibility.
- Knowledge of te reo Māori and experience working within the tertiary education sector would be advantageous.
Role Description: Click here to see further information, including salary details.
If this link is not available, click 'apply' to view this on the University careers page.
Closing date for vacancy: 1 September 2026.
Contact details for vacancy: For further information about this role, please contact Cecilia Tuiomanufili ([email protected]).
How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter.
Applicants who do not hold New Zealand residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly state their visa status in their application. Where an applicant does not already hold a current and relevant visa, they will be responsible for securing this independently.
About Us
Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University
Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we have made here.
Explore the many benefits of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction and learn more about our research expertise.
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Job Description:
- Are you passionate about supporting Māori student success in a culturally responsive tertiary environment?
- Can you build effective relationships and communicate confidently with a wide range of stakeholders and communities?
- Do you have experience applying the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to support educational practices that strengthen equity, inclusion, and positive outcomes for tauira Māori?
Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role
Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is seeking to appoint a Kaiakiaki - Māori Engagement Adviser to join the Āwhina - Māori Student Support team on a permanent, full-time basis.
Based in Ngā Mokopuna, this role will provide support and engagement for tauira Māori studying in Te Wāhanga a Manaia - Faculty of Science and Engineering. Āwhina contributes to the University’s wider student support environment by strengthening Māori student connection, cultural confidence, wellbeing, and academic success.
Key responsibilities:
- Providing culturally responsive support and engagement for tauira Māori.
- Planning, coordinating, and delivering events, workshops, and engagement activities that support Māori student participation and success.
- Applying tikanga Māori appropriately within student support and engagement activities.
- Building effective working relationships and contributing to a collaborative, professional team environment.
Ō pūmanawa - About you
The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to Māori student success and an understanding of culturally responsive, relationship-based approaches to student support. They will be confident engaging with tauira Māori, whānau, staff, and key stakeholders, and will bring a professional, organised, and proactive approach to the role.
You will bring:
- Demonstrated confidence supporting and engaging with Māori students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
- Experience providing individual support, guidance, or advice, together with the ability to plan and deliver workshops, events, or engagement activities.
- The ability to advocate appropriately for tauira Māori and connect them with relevant support services, staff, and opportunities.
- Strong organisational skills, sound judgement, and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively in a busy work environment.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to build effective working relationships across diverse communities and teams.
- A constructive, team-oriented approach and a commitment to contributing to an environment that supports positive outcomes for tauira Māori.
Key requirements:
- Sound knowledge of tikanga Māori and the ability to apply this knowledge appropriately in a professional context.
- Knowledge and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within an educational environment.
- Understanding of the tertiary education environment, including matters relevant to Māori student engagement, retention, and achievement.
- The ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, colleagues, and internal and external stakeholders.
- The ability to work collaboratively within a team environment while also exercising initiative and accountability for delegated areas of responsibility.
- Knowledge of te reo Māori and experience working within the tertiary education sector would be advantageous.
Role Description: Click here to see further information, including salary details.
If this link is not available, click 'apply' to view this on the University careers page.
Closing date for vacancy: 1 September 2026.
Contact details for vacancy: For further information about this role, please contact Cecilia Tuiomanufili ([email protected]).
How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter.
Applicants who do not hold New Zealand residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly state their visa status in their application. Where an applicant does not already hold a current and relevant visa, they will be responsible for securing this independently.
About Us
Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University
Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we have made here.
Explore the many benefits of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction and learn more about our research expertise.
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