Senior Advisor - Maori Economic Development

Location: Auckland, NZ, 1010 Te Kupenga, Māori Economic Policy and Strategic Partnerships, is focused on supporting Māori economic success, wellbeing and prosperity. We are looking for an experienced Senior Advisor to join our team on a fixed term basis and contribute to the delivery of the Activating Capital (Māori) Programme, a significant cross-agency initiative aimed at improving access to capital and supporting Māori economic development. In this role, you will lead complex policy and strategic work programmes, provide high-quality advice to senior leaders, and build trusted relationships across government agencies, iwi, Māori organisations and key stakeholders. You will work on challenging and often ambiguous issues, applying strategic thinking and sound judgement to develop practical solutions that support Māori economic aspirations and outcomes. You will play an important role in supporting Te Kupenga's broader work programme, contributing research, analysis and advice that informs decision‑making at both operational and strategic levels. This is a varied and rewarding position that will see you working across multiple portfolios, building partnerships, leading pieces of work, and helping deliver outcomes that support thriving Māori communities and a stronger Aotearoa New Zealand economy. Te Kupenga (Māori Economic Advisory & Strategic Partnerships) sits within Strategy & Assurance, contributing to MBIE's strategic policy, system leadership, and partnerships that support sustainable economic growth and positive outcomes for Māori and Aotearoa New Zealand. Skills and Experience Required Experience in policy, strategy, advisory, programme, or partnership roles. Experience working with iwi, hapū, Māori organisations, or Māori policy issues. An understanding of te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, alongside an appreciation of government systems, public sector processes, and decision‑making. Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills. Well‑developed analytical, critical thinking, and problem‑solving abilities. Experience developing high‑quality advice, briefings, or policy products. The ability to work through ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and deliver results. MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high‑performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders. We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable. People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours. Māia – Bold and brave Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'. MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups or organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long‑standing systemic and cross‑cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities. #J-18808-Ljbffr